GB Para-Rowing, Not For Everyone – PR2 Mix2x
In our Paralympic team, we have eight athletes across three boats; the PR1 men’s single sculler, the PR2 mixed double sculls, and the PR3 mixed coxed four. Without new athletes though, there’s a very real risk that we won’t be able to field a full team after Tokyo. 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!
Want to find out about our other crews in the Paralympic team?
Benjamin Pritchard from the PR1 men's single
Ellen Buttrick & James Fox from the PR3 mixed coxed four
PR2 Mixed double sculls
We currently have two athletes on the GB Team who compete in the PR2 mixed double sculls; Lauren Rowles, and Laurence Whiteley.
Lauren and Laurence were crowned Paralympic champions at the Rio 2016 Games just a year after rowing together. They also became World Champions in 2019, and European champions in 2021 in the PR2 mixed double sculls, making them reigning World, European, and Paralympic champions.
Are you up for a new challenge?
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.
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 Para-Rowing squad.
Find out more about what we look for
Based on our experience, to be a successful para-rower you will match certain benchmarks set out below.
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 Class | Competitive Disability |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
| PR1 (Previously known as AS – Arms Shoulder) |
Incomplete spinal cord lesion Complete T12 spinal cord lesion Bilateral above knee amputee |
- 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
- 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:
- PR1
(Previously known as AS – Arms Shoulder) - Competitive Disability:
- Incomplete spinal cord lesion
Complete T12 spinal cord lesion
Bilateral above knee amputee
Useful links
If you’d like to find out more information about the Paralympics or classification, you might find the links below helpful:
What next?
If you think you have what it takes, we want to hear from you, click the link below to register your interest and one of the team will be touch with you to follow up very soon.
Don’t forget to follow the journey through @BritishRowing or @ItsLaurenRowles on Instagram!
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.
