Who is eligible for para rowing?
A · Advanced · Classes and equipment · 1 of 4A physical impairment must at least equal losing three fingers on one hand, a foot amputation or a set loss of points on the chart. Vision must be B3 or worse. A new rower races with a provisional class and is observed on the water at the first race. The panel then sets a status: new, review or confirmed.
How it works
- Fingers: full loss of three on one hand.
- Foot: at least a trans-metatarsal amputation.
- Chart: ten points on one limb or fifteen across two.
- Vision: B3 or worse.
- First appearance: provisional class, observed on water.
- Vision rowers: not observed in competition.
- Status: N, R-NAO, R-FRD or C.
- Not Eligible: confirmed by a second panel.
The glossary has the minimum impairment criteria (para rowing), the first appearance and observation assessment (para rowing), the sport class status (para rowing), the not eligible (para rowing), the classification protests (para rowing) and the PR3 subclasses.
Tricky cases
A new rower is found not eligible after racing. What happens?
They are excluded from that event and results are revised.
Can a home-country classifier give a confirmed status?
No. Only review.
Does Not Eligible mean no impairment?
No. It means the criteria are not met.
What is needed for the PR3 Mix2x?
A loss of at least 20 points in one limb.
Why the rule exists
Observation on the water shows how the impairment affects rowing at race pace. A second panel protects rowers from one panel's mistake.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Physical | Points or amputation | R15 8a |
| Vision | B3 or worse | R15 8a |
| PR3 Mix2x | 20-point loss | R14 5e |
From the rule book
World Rowing, Rules of Racing and Related Bye-Laws (March 2025), Appendix R15 regulations 5 and 8 and Appendix R14 regulation 5. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Rowing Rules of Racing, Appendices R14 and R15.