Adaptive Rowing: How to Make Rowing Accessible

Adaptive rowing makes the sport accessible by changing the equipment, the coaching and the access to fit the rower, not the other way round. To get started, contact a club, try an erg first, and agree a set-up with a coach. Fixed seats, supports and pontoons cover most physical needs, and the right set-up depends on what you can move and control.

This is a starting point. Speak to your GP or specialist about your own situation, and ask a club what it has available.

What adaptive rowing means

Adaptive rowing covers recreational rowing, indoor rowing and competitive para rowing, for people with physical, sensory or learning disabilities. Some people row in mixed crews with other club members, while others row in dedicated adaptive sessions.

How clubs adapt rowing

Options depend on the person and the club.

Need	Adaptation	Who it often suits
Limited leg use	Fixed seat, with the slide locked	Rowing with trunk and arms, or arms and shoulders
Limited trunk control	Chest straps, supports or seat changes	Rowers who need stability
Balance on the water	Pontoons and floats on the boat, or a wider boat	Beginners and PR1 single scullers
Limited grip	Adapted handles and grips	Rowers with reduced hand function
Getting in and out	Ramp, hoist or a helper on the landing stage	Wheelchair users and others
Sight or hearing loss	Coaching in a way agreed with you in advance	Rowers with sensory impairment
Learning needs	Extra time, simple instructions, one cue at a time	Rowers with learning disabilities

Each setup should be agreed with a coach who understands your needs. It may take some trial and error, and it is fine to change things as you get used to the sport.

Para rowing classes

In competition, para rowers are placed in classes based on how their impairment affects rowing. Classification rules are set by World Rowing, so check its current guidance if you want to compete.

Class	How you row	Seat	Paralympic events
PR1	Arms and shoulders	Fixed, with strapping at upper chest level	Men’s and women’s single scull, with pontoons
PR2	Trunk and arms	Fixed	Mixed double scull
PR3	Legs, trunk and arms	Standard sliding seat	Mixed double scull and mixed coxed four

That makes 5 Paralympic events, and 9 boat events at the World Championships. PR3 includes rowers with visual impairment as well as some physical impairments. In mixed boats, half the rowers are men and half women, so a mixed coxed four has two of each, plus a cox.

Para rowing has been part of the Paralympic Games since 2008, and adaptive events joined the World Championships in 2002. Races were first held over 1,000 m, and the distance is now 2,000 m, the same as other rowing.

Why people choose it

Rowing is low impact and you set the effort. Adaptive rowing also offers time outdoors, a social group and a way to build strength and fitness. For many people the main benefit is simply being part of a club and a crew. See why rowing is the perfect low-impact sport.

Questions to ask a club

1. Do you have experience of adaptive rowers, and do you run adaptive sessions?
2. What adapted equipment do you have, such as fixed seats, pontoons and supports?
3. Are the boathouse and landing stage accessible?
4. Can I try an erg or a boat before I join?
5. Who would coach me, and can they adjust the plan to my needs?
6. Are there other adaptive rowers I can meet?

A good club will welcome these questions and answer them honestly. If it does not have the right setup, ask whether it can point you to another club nearby. A club with no official programme may still be able to help.

How to get started

1. Find a club. British Rowing’s adaptive pages point you to its Club Finder, and our clubs page and guide to rowing clubs in the UK are other places to look.
2. Use the sign-up form. British Rowing’s Try Adaptive Rowing form asks for your postcode, so it can find the nearest suitable club.
3. Complete the health questionnaire. British Rowing asks new adaptive rowers to fill in its pre-activity health questionnaire.
4. Try an erg first. A rowing machine is a safe place for a coach to assess what you can do, and many clubs offer indoor tasters.
5. Follow a plan. British Rowing publishes an eight-week adaptive indoor training plan for newcomers and returners.
6. Build slowly. As a rule of thumb, start with 10 to 15 minutes, with rests, twice a week, and add a few minutes each week if you recover well.

Rowing at home

If you plan to use a rowing machine at home, check the seat height, handle and footplate adjustments. Some people find a taller seat easier to get on and off. A machine with a stable base and a wide footplate range is a good start. See how to use a rowing machine and adjustable footrests. If you are unsure what is safe for your condition, check with your GP, specialist or physio.

For general guidance on beginning, see rowing for beginners.