GB Para-Rowing – It’s Not for Everyone

Find out what it takes to be a member of the GB Para-rowing Team

Our GB Para-Rowing Team is hugely successful, winning 50% of the gold medals awarded in Paralympic rowing since its introduction in 2008.

But without new athletes though, there’s a very real risk that we won’t be able to keep fielding a full team for each new Olympiad. So we’re on the lookout for talented, driven individuals who have the right mental and physical attributes to make it as a competitive international para-rower. No rowing experience necessary!

Read on to find out more about what it’s like to be part of the programme and to register your interest in trying out for the team.

Want to get involved? Register now!

The journey

We’re not going to lie, training to be an elite athlete in the GB Para-Rowing Team is not for everyone. You may well have never picked up an oar before but you’ll know that you have that inner drive and toughness to take on the challenge. If you have that, then we’ll do everything we can to get you to the start line – it’s a fantastic opportunity for the right person.

Download our Para-Pathway Prospectus for a better understanding of what we do.

Find out more

Para-Rowing Talent ID

Recruiting, inspiring and driving talented individuals towards Paralympic podium success

Para-Rowing Trials

Information for para-rowers and coaches on trialing for the GB Rowing Team this season

Paralympic Games

Great Britain has won gold medals in rowing at every Paralympic Games since the sport was first added to the programme


Think you have what it takes?

We are looking for people with commitment, passion, determination and a desire to achieve at the highest level, who are prepared to invest in themselves and the GB Para-Rowing squad.

What we look for

Based on our experience, to be a successful para-rower you will match certain benchmarks set out below.

Para-rowing-minimum-criteria

Please note: For the seated height measurement the person should be sitting on the floor.

The criteria described below will enable classification into the following Sport Classes:

Sport ClassCompetitive Disability
PR1
(Previously known as AS – Arms Shoulder)
Incomplete spinal cord lesion
Complete T12 spinal cord lesion
Bilateral above knee amputee
PR2
(Previously known as TA – Trunk Arms)
Significantly reduced knee flexion (e.g. fused knee, deformation of hip/knee area)
Bilateral lower limb amputee (one above knee, one below)
Incomplete spinal cord lesion
PR3
(Previously known as LTA – Legs Trunk Arms)
Restricted ankle/wrist movement (e.g. fused ankle, club foot)
Three finger amputation on one hand
B3/B2 visual impairment
Below knee amputee with residual stump longer than half of original tibia length
Erb’s Palsy
Sport Class:
PR1
(Previously known as AS – Arms Shoulder)
Competitive Disability:
Incomplete spinal cord lesion
Complete T12 spinal cord lesion
Bilateral above knee amputee
Sport Class:
PR2
(Previously known as TA – Trunk Arms)
Competitive Disability:
Significantly reduced knee flexion (e.g. fused knee, deformation of hip/knee area)
Bilateral lower limb amputee (one above knee, one below)
Incomplete spinal cord lesion
Sport Class:
PR3
(Previously known as LTA – Legs Trunk Arms)
Competitive Disability:
Restricted ankle/wrist movement (e.g. fused ankle, club foot)
Three finger amputation on one hand
B3/B2 visual impairment
Below knee amputee with residual stump longer than half of original tibia length
Erb’s Palsy

Find out more about the current GB Para-Rowing crews

GB Para-Rowing, Not For Everyone - PR1 M1x

For scullers with minimal or no trunk function who primarily propel the boat through arm and shoulder function

GB Para-Rowing, Not For Everyone - PR2 Mix2x

For scullers who have functional use of their arms and trunk but have weakness/absence of leg function to slide the seat

GB Para-Rowing, Not For Everyone - PR3 Mix4+

For rowers with residual function in the legs, which allows them to slide the seat, and athletes with visual impairments


So you think you have what it takes? We want to hear from you! Just fill in the form below to register your interest and one of the team will be touch with you to follow up very soon.

Rowing - Open to Everyone

We’re not all cut out to be Paralympians but rowing is open to everyone. Adaptive rowing allows our sport to be adapted to allow anyone to take part regardless of any disability. Many clubs around the country offer adaptive rowing opportunities and you can read more about these on our adaptive rowing pages.

Find out more

More in this section

GB Para-Rowing, Not For Everyone - PR1 M1x

For scullers with minimal or no trunk function who primarily propel the boat through arm and shoulder function

View Content

GB Para-Rowing, Not For Everyone - PR2 Mix2x

For scullers who have functional use of their arms and trunk but have weakness/absence of leg function to slide the seat

View Content

GB Para-Rowing, Not For Everyone - PR3 Mix4+

For rowers with residual function in the legs, which allows them to slide the seat, and athletes with visual impairments

View Content

Support our Campaign

We're not just looking for potential athletes, we're also looking for those who can help us find those athletes. We're looking for the eye of the needle buried in a haystack and so we need as much help as possible.

Sign up below to access images, videos and other assets to help us find those who have what it takes to be part of the GB Para-Rowing team.

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