What is Adaptive Rowing

Adaptive Rowing provides athletes with a physical, sensory or intellectual disability the opportunity to be active on the water, get involved in a fun and friendly club environment, and participate in a variety of competitions.

Whether you are interested in having a social row, personal fitness, or taking this to the Paralympic Games, adaptive rowing has a program for you.

The following Rowing BC member clubs currently offer adaptive programs:

Delta Deas Rowing Club

Vernon Rowing and Paddling Centre

Victoria City Rowing Club  

Adaptive rowing is suitable for a wide range of persons with a disability, including but not limited to spinal cord injury including paraplegia and quadriplegia; amputations; visual impairment and blindness; cerebral palsy; spina bifida; intellectual disabilities, including autism and Down syndrome; and hearing impairments.

The equipment used is essentially the same as for able-bodied rowers, with adaptations made to the equipment as required.

Adaptive rowing classifications

AS (arms and shoulders)

AS rowers usually have no or minimal trunk function and apply force predominantly using the arms and/or shoulders. AS rowers use pontoons fixed to the riggers to aid stability. The fixed seat will have a backrest to provide support and to allow the rower to be strapped into the boat.

TA (trunk and arms)

TA rowers have trunk movement but are unable to use the sliding seat because of significantly weakened function of the lower limbs. TA rowers can use stabilising pontoons to row if they prefer. A backrest on the fixed seat is optional.

LTA (legs, trunk and arms)

LTA rowers are able to use the sliding seat as well as their trunk and arms. Athletes with a visual disability or an intellectual disability will usually be classified as LTA rowers. Most LTA rowers will row in conventional rowing boats that do not need any modifications.

Why should I row?

The ergonomics of rowing, in which the human body is guided through correct and symmetrical movement patterns by the equipment involved, oars and shell, can allow individuals to maintain a high level of muscular and cardiovascular output. This is particularly relevant where issues of coordination or spasticity may prevent an adequate level of exertion being achieved in many other sporting activities. Rowing is a unique activity in its ability to be adapted to a wide range of disability degrees and types and allow both muscular strengthening and improved cardiovascular fitness.

Competition

Adaptive athletes race 1000m in all categories. There are opportunities to compete at local, provincial, national and international regattas. Canada's National Adaptive Rowing Team has seen success at the World Championship and Paralympic level. Canada’s adaptive coxed four are the current world champions, and holders of the world’s fastest time for this boat class. Learn more about the national team program.

Getting Started

Interested in finding out more? Contact Rowing BC’s Adaptive Coach Martin George at 250 307 7732 or at adaptivecoach@rowingbc.ca.

You can also contact your local club; many clubs that do not offer specific adaptive rowing programs can still welcome adaptive rowers into their existing programs.