Para Rowing
Paralympic Rowing competitions include mixed team boats of both men and women where all events are held over 2000 meters. Paralympic Rowing is open to athletes with physical and visual impairments.
Coordination Impairments
Athletes with a Coordination Impairment have one or more of the following three movement disorders that adversely affects the ability to voluntarily produce a full range of skilled movement fluidly, rapidly, and accurately:
- Hypertonia/Spasticity: an increase in muscle tension that may be velocity-dependent and/or a reduced ability of a muscle to stretch.
- Motor Ataxia: limited precision in direction and velocity of voluntary movement.
- Dyskinesia (Athetosis, Dystonia, Chorea): involuntary movements that interfere with voluntary movements.
Examples of Underlying Health Conditions that can lead to coordination impairments include Cerebral Palsy, Traumatic Brain Injury, Stroke, and Multiple Sclerosis.
Impaired Muscle Power
Athletes with Impaired Muscle Power have a reduced (or no) ability to contract their muscles to generate force that is consistent with an Underlying Health Condition affecting the structure and function of the central or peripheral nervous system or the muscles.
Examples of Underlying Health Conditions leading to impaired muscle power include: spinal cord injuries, muscular dystrophy, post-polio syndrome, and spina bifida.
Impaired Passive Range of Movement
Athletes with Impaired Passive Range of Movement have a reduced ability for a joint to be passively moved that is consistent with an Underlying Health Condition affecting a structure of bones, joints, connective tissue, or soft tissues.
Examples of Underlying Health Conditions leading to impaired passive range of motion include: arthrogryposis and contracture resulting from chronic joint immobilization or trauma affecting a joint.
Limb Deficiency and/or Limb Length Difference
Athletes with Limb Deficiency or Limb Length Difference have a total or partial absence of a limb or anatomically irregular limb dimensions that are consistent with an Underlying Health Condition resulting from trauma (traumatic amputation), illness (example: amputation due to bone cancer), or congenital causes affecting the bones and/or joints (example: dysmelia).
This impairment group can be further divided into the following sub-categories:
- Limb deficiency
- Leg length difference and/or
- Arm length difference
Vision Impairment
Athletes with Vision Impairment have an Underlying Health Condition affecting the structure or function of the eye, optic nerve, optic chiasm, post chiasma visual pathways, or visual cortex of the brain resulting in reduced or no visual function even when using the best possible refractive or optical correction.
Examples of Underlying Health Conditions leading to vision impairments include retinitis pigmentosa and diabetic retinopathy.
Entering The Pathway
The best way to get started in Para Rowing is to join a US Rowing club in your area. If there isn't a club in your area, finding a local gym with a rowing machine and start rowing.
Eligible athletes interested in Para Rowing should reach out to the Head Coach of Paralympic Disciplines, Ellen Minzner, to get connected to appropriate resources in their area at ellen.minzner@usrowing.org.
Equipment
Most athletes do not own their own rowing equipment. Instead, most athletes starting in rowing use one of the following avenues for equipment:
- Joining a local gym with an indoor rowing machine
- Joining a high school, college, or club rowing program which will provide the necessary equipment
Depending on the athletes impairment, the athlete may need additional equipment such as a safety strap.
High Performance
Talent Identification and Development, opens in a new tabUS Rowing accepts Erg scores for 2000 meter and 6000 meter distances for athletes looking to progress and compete for the Para National Team. Athletes looking to submit Erg scores must meet the following criteria:
- Must be a US citizen
- Test piece must be completed on a C2 ergometer
- Results must be verified by a coach and athletes must list that coach's contact information
US Rowing offers classification at multiple regattas throughout the year. See below for how to get classified in Para Rowing and the different classifications in Para Rowing.
Physical Impairments
Physical Impairment Medical Diagnosis Form, opens in a new tabTo secure a national physical impairment classification appointment, and athlete must choose a regatta offering national classification and request a classification appointment for that regatta. Events Offering National Classification.
- Athletes will need to fill out a Medical Diagnostics Form for Athletes with a Physical Impairment.
- Once an athlete completes the Classification Request Form, they will receive a link to a secure Dropbox folder where they will upload all documents for classification review.
- After the athlete's documents are reviewed and they are deemed eligible, athletes will be given a classification appointment that takes place the day before the regatta.
Vision Impairments
Vision Impairment MDF, opens in a new tabFor National Classification for vision impairments, classifiers will review submitted VI Medical Diagnostics Forms.
- Athletes will need to submit a completed VI Medical Diagnostic Form in the Classification Request Form.
- The documents will be reviewed and US Rowing staff will reach out if any additional supporting documentation is needed.
- VI classifiers will review the athlete's documents and US Rowing will relay the outcome to the athlete.
PR1
The PR1 class is for athletes who row primarily with their arms and shoulders. Athletes are strapped into the boat for support and stability. This class is only for athletes with physical impairments; examples of physical impairments athlete may have in this class include but are not limited to:
- Athletes with more severe coordination impairments who use a wheelchair, with both their legs and trunk being affected
- Spinal cord injuries leading to muscle strength loss.
PR2
Athletes in this class have arm and trunk movement but are unable to use their legs to push the sliding seat in the boat. The PR2 class only includes athletes with physical impairments; examples of impairments athletes in this class may have include but are not limited to:
- Double amputation around the knee
- Significant muscle strength loss in both legs
- Coordination impairment affecting both legs or one side of the body
- Significantly decreased range of motion in one of both knees
PR3
Athletes in this class have use of their arms, legs, and trunk and can use the sliding seat. Athlete with physical or visual impairments are eligible for this class; examples of impairments that athletes could have in this class include but are not limited too:
- Limb loss of at least three fingers on one hand or at least a tarsal metatarsal amputation of the foot.
- Less severe loss of muscle strength
- Least severe coordination impairments affecting one limb.
- Visual Impairments
US Rowing Club Locator
Find a Club, opens in a new tabFind a US Rowing club near you to start your rowing journey!
Para National Team Selection Procedures
Para Rowing National Team Selection, opens in a new tabContinue to train and compete, and learn more about progressing and qualifying for the Para National Team.
Coxswain Selection Procedures
Coxswain Selection Procedures, opens in a new tabCoxswains interested in the Para National Team can submit an application through a selection camp.