GB Para-Rowing - British Rowing

What is Classification?

In Paralympic rowing we have three classes – Paralympians will fall into one of these depending on their disability and range of movement

Find out a little more about what your classification could be below.

PR1 Classification

PR1 (previously known as AS – Arms Shoulders) athletes row with their shoulders and arms only due to minimal or no trunk function. They use strapping around their trunk with optional leg straps for stability in the boat and on the rowing machine.

Some examples of disabilities that can classify as PR1 include:

Incomplete spinal cord lesion
Complete T12 spinal cord lesion
Bilateral above knee amputee

PR2 Classification

PR2 (previously known as TA – trunk and arms) have trunk and arm function, meaning they have more movement than a PR1 athlete but are unable to use their legs to move the sliding seat. They row on a fixed seat, with optional leg straps to maintain stability in a boat or on an indoor rowing machine.

Some examples of PR2 disabilities are:

Significantly reduced knee flexion (e.g. fused knee, deformation of hip/knee area)
Bilateral lower limb amputee (one above knee, one below)
Incomplete spinal cord lesion

PR3 Classification

PR3 rowers can use the sliding seat you see in non-adaptive rowing. They will have a physical or visual impairment which meets the minimum criteria to be able to compete in Paralympic events.

Some examples of disabilities are:

Restricted ankle/wrist movement (e.g. fused ankle, club foot)
Three finger amputation on one hand
B3/B2 visual impairment
Below knee amputee with residual stump longer than half of original tibia length
Erb’s Palsy

Our Stories

From ex-military personnel to university students, our Paralympic squad is as varied as there are classifications – and there’s always room for more members!

Gregg Stevenson became a double amputee after a blast injury whilst on patrol in Afghanistan in 2009. After joining the GB Rowing Team in 2023, he’s now a record-holding World and European Champion and has qualified his boat for Paris 2024.

Our Legacy

The GB Rowing Team has won a gold medal at every single Paralympics since rowing was introduced to the programme in 2008.

We’ve won 50% of the gold medals awarded in Paralympic rowing since its introduction in 2008.

But without new athletes though, there’s a very real risk that we won’t be able to keep fielding a full team for each new Paralympiad. So we’re on the lookout for talented, driven individuals who have the right mental and physical attributes to make it as a competitive international para-rower. No rowing experience necessary!

discover your classification today