Canadian Paralympian Steven Daniel on the water in Beijing.

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step."

(Lao Tzu — Chinese Philosopher)

Of all the Paralympic pursuits at the Games in Beijing, rowing is perhaps the most astounding.

It involves a vast expanse of water in narrow boats with the potential to capsize. The people in these crafts have lost mobility, many in their lower limbs, and yet they are determined to chart a new course in their lives by firmly gripping the oars and pulling their way to finish line.

"The Paralympics embody such a great sentiment in the fact that people from all over the world are coming to compete regardless of their disability," said Steven Daniel, Canada's man in the single sculls.

"There was a year of my life that was a pretty hard hill to climb, but now I am through the rough stuff and this has opened up all kinds of possibilities."

Indeed, Daniel is a testament to the courage that is required to become a Paralympian. A former paratrooper in the Canadian Armed Forces who served four overseas missions, he landed with too much speed in a training jump and ended up paralyzed from the waist down.

That was three years ago. Now the Sudbury, Ont., native is on the waters of Shun Yi in an effort to meet new challenges.

"I don't see sport as a battle," said Daniel, making reference to his military background. "Rowing is something I have now that when everything is firing on all cylinders and I'm cruising down the course, I get a feeling of freedom. A feeling that I can't get when I'm in this chair."

To watch him on the still water of the course at the Olympic Rowing Park is to sense what he's talking about. Sitting up high in the boat, all of the power coming from his massive upper body, Daniel slices over the glass-like mirror of the man-made basin. He pauses after a dash of about 500 metres and dips his baseball cap in the cool water, then lets its contents cascade over his head and shoulders.

"To get out on the water and go wherever I want in training or to be the fastest boat out there in a race is just a great feeling," he smiled. "I was searching for something after my accident. Rowing is central to my life now."

The ancient walkways of the Forbidden City

Caitlin Renneson competed in the bow seat of the Canadian mixed pairs as rowing made its debut here in Beijing. Having completed her first Paralympics off the podium she made her way to the Forbidden City for a little sight seeing with coach Shannon Harvey. A native of Saskatoon, Renneson was filled with optimism after finally getting to the Games.

"We'll go back and figure out how to improve the training," she figured. "We'll make sure that we get the crew together more often so that we can practice together and therefore we'll definitely be ready to meet the next international standard."

Daniel served four overseas missions as a paratrooper in the Canadian Armed Forces.

But as she wheeled her way over the glorious stonework and the ancient walkways of the Forbidden City, I was struck by how well she was able to negotiate this historic site in her chair.

She and Harvey had every intention of exploring one of the most magnificent landmarks in Chinese history. It is a place, which has been made accessible to the general population only in the last sixty years, with the advent of the Cultural Revolution in 1949.

"Overall, I think this has been a really positive experience," Renneson calculated. "Even outside the village, here at the Forbidden City, it's sometimes a little tricky to find the accessible way, but there is a way to get where you want to go. More importantly, there is always someone here who's willing to help show you the way."

Neither Caitlin Renneson nor Steven Daniel won a medal at these Paralympics in Beijing, but that should not lessen the value of their experience here.

As a sport rowing has made its initial appearance on the Games program. As a competitor, Daniel has learned to soldier on in his new set of circumstances.

As a disabled athlete, Renneson has seen a fascinating world of mystery unraveling as it becomes accessible to the majority of the populace including those with a disability.

Talk about a voyage of discovery.

The Paralympics in China are proving to be friendly waters as the world navigates a new course for sport while extending so many horizons.