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. 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!
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. Watch the videos below to hear the story of three athletes engaged in the programme, and have a look together our pathway prospectus for a better understanding of what we do.
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 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
So you think you have what it takes? Well, 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.
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.