Para rowing
Para rowing is rowing for athletes with an eligible physical or visual impairment, over 2000 metres like other rowers. Rowers are classed PR1, PR2 or PR3: PR1 and PR2 rowers use a fixed seat, and PR3 rowers can use legs, trunk and arms on a sliding seat.
Checked 20 October 2026
New to para rowing? Start here
How long
Races over 2000 m
Lengths are from the rule book.
The big events, and why they matter
- 1Paralympic Games (para rowing)The top title in para rowing.Every 4 years
- 2World Rowing Championships (para events)The sport's own world title.Yearly
India
India has no medal; it won a quota place in the 2024 PR3 mixed double sculls [the two pages].
- Para rowing at the Paralympic Games: No medal; a quota place in the 2024 PR3 mixed double sculls from the Asia/Oceania Qualification Regatta
- World Rowing Championships: para events: No medal in the rows
Countries to know
India and the nations that have done best, biggest titles first.
- Great BritainPara rowing at the Paralympic Games: 11 golds, 1 silver, 2 bronzes (latest 2024); World Rowing Championships: para events: 25 golds, 8 silvers, 3 bronzes (latest 2025)
- AustraliaPara rowing at the Paralympic Games: 1 gold, 4 silvers (latest 2024); World Rowing Championships: para events: 16 golds, 8 silvers, 8 bronzes (latest 2025)
- UkrainePara rowing at the Paralympic Games: 3 golds, 2 silvers, 1 bronze (latest 2024); World Rowing Championships: para events: 13 golds, 8 silvers, 8 bronzes (latest 2025)
- United StatesPara rowing at the Paralympic Games: 4 silvers, 2 bronzes (latest 2024); World Rowing Championships: para events: 7 golds, 10 silvers, 7 bronzes (latest 2023)
Who runs it
| Rules made by | World Rowing, Rules of Racing and Related Bye-Laws, Appendix R14, March 2025 |
| International federation | World Rowing |
| In India | The Paralympic Committee of India is on the MYAS list for 2026; which body runs para rowing in India is not checked |
Searched 2026-10-20; no Indian body for this para sport was found beyond the PCI.
Where and when it is played
On a 2000-metre rowing course. The big events: the Paralympic Games every four years and the para events of the World Rowing Championships every year.