What are the weight limits in lightweight rowing?
I · Intermediate · Boats, crews and the course · 5 of 5In the lightweight category a men's crew must average no more than 70.0 kg, with no rower over 72.5 kg. A women's crew must average no more than 57.0 kg, with no rower over 59.0 kg. Rowers are weighed between one and two hours before their first race of the event each day.
How it works
| Crew average | Any one rower | Single sculler | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 70.0 kg | 72.5 kg | 72.5 kg |
| Women | 57.0 kg | 59.0 kg | 59.0 kg |
- The average: worked out without the coxswain.
- The weigh-in: wearing at least the racing uniform, on tested scales, not less than one hour and not more than two hours before the first race of each lightweight event, each day of the competition.
- As a crew: the crew comes to the weighing together and is weighed as a crew.
- Trying again: a rower or crew over the weight may be weighed again any number of times within the time allowed.
- Failing: a rower or crew that does not make the weight, or does not come by the end of the time, is no longer eligible, and the crew is excluded from the event.
- A postponed race: if the first race is postponed or cancelled after the weigh-in, the rowers are not weighed again that day for that event.
- A reserve: may be weighed with the crew. That recorded weight is used if the reserve later comes in.
- Who has a lightweight category: seniors and under 23.
Tricky cases
One rower in a men's double weighs 72.0 kg. How heavy can the partner be?
No more than 68.0 kg. The two must average 70.0 kg or less, so together they may weigh 140.0 kg.
A rower is 200 grams over at the first attempt. Is the crew out?
No, not yet. The rower may be weighed again any number of times before the weighing time ends.
Do lightweight rowers weigh in once for the whole regatta?
No. They are weighed before their first race of the event on each day they race.
Is there a lightweight eight at the world championships?
No. The championship programme lists lightweight single sculls and double sculls for men and women.
Why the rule exists
Tall, heavy rowers have an advantage in a sport where long limbs and power count. A weight-limited class gives smaller athletes, and countries with smaller populations of very tall people, races they can win. The reasoning is general knowledge and is not stated in the rules.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Rowing rules | As above | RR 19; RR 23 and bye-law; RR 26 |
| Two rounds on one day | Rowers who race only the second round are weighed with those in the first | RR 23 bye-law (1) |
| Olympic Games | The 2028 programme is not in this rule book. Lightweight events are widely reported to have been dropped after 2024 | RR 27 bye-law; C |
From the rule book
World Rowing Rules of Racing and Related Bye-Laws (Overall and Classic Rowing), Rules 19, 23 and 26 and the bye-laws to Rule 23. Last updated 1 July 2025. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Rowing Rules of Racing (PDF).