Adaptive rowing

Adaptive rowing is a special category of rowing race for those with physical disabilities. Under FISA rules there are three categories for adaptive rowers:

PR3 (previously LTA - Legs, Trunk, Arms) 

Use of at least one leg, trunk and arms. Also for those with visual and intellectual impairments. Rowed with standard boats and sliding seats.

PR2 (previously TA - Trunk and Arms) 

Only use of trunk muscles. Boat has fixed seat.

PR1 (previously AS - Arms and Shoulders) 

Limited trunk control. Boat has fixed seat and rower is strapped at upper chest level to only allow shoulder and arm movements.

At FISA events there are 5 boat events (standard nomenclature is used):

4+ Mixed PR3

2x Mixed PR3

2x Mixed PR2

1x Men PR1

1x Women PR1

Racing was held over 1,000 m (rather than the standard 2,000 m), but from 2017 the distance was changed to the standard 2,000m. In mixed events half the crew must be male and other half female (coxswain may be of either gender and may be able bodied). Single shells for the PR1 category must have stabilising pontoons attached to the riggers.

Adaptive events were added to the World Rowing Championships in 2002 and took place at the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, China.