What do under 19, under 23 and Masters mean in rowing?
A · Advanced · Boats, crews and the course · 12 of 12World Rowing recognises four age categories: under 19, under 23, senior and Masters. A rower may race under 19 until 31 December of the year they turn 18, and under 23 until 31 December of the year they turn 22. Senior events are open to rowers of all ages.
How it works
- Under 19: until 31 December of the year in which the rower reaches the age of 18.
- Under 23: until 31 December of the year in which the rower reaches the age of 22.
- Senior: open to all ages.
- Masters: age categories set by World Rowing for Masters events, in a separate set of regulations. Masters race 1,000 metres.
- Other categories: a lightweight category for seniors and under 23, and a para rowing category.
- Coxswains: the age categories apply to them, except in Masters events.
- Proof of age: the control commission checks the ages of under-19, under-23 and Masters rowers where no other arrangement is in place.
Tricky cases
A rower turns 19 in March. Can they race under 19 that summer?
No. Eligibility ends on 31 December of the year the rower turns 18, so the last under-19 season is the year of the 18th birthday.
Can a 17-year-old race in a senior event?
Yes. Senior events are open to rowers of all ages.
Does an under-19 eight need an under-19 coxswain?
Yes. Age categories apply to coxswains outside Masters events.
Why the rule exists
Rowing power builds over many years, so teenagers and rowers in their early twenties get championships of their own. Tying the limit to the calendar year means a rower is in one category for a whole season, whenever their birthday falls.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Rowing rules | As above | RR 18; RR 19; RR 20 |
| Masters | Categories in Appendix R16, which was not read for this page | RR 20 (4) |
| Event codes | J marks under-19 events and B under-23 events | RR 26 |
From the rule book
World Rowing Rules of Racing and Related Bye-Laws (Overall and Classic Rowing), Rules 18 to 22, 26 and 33 and the bye-laws to Rule 82. Last updated 1 July 2025. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Rowing Rules of Racing (PDF).