PARALYMPIC / ADAPTIVE

Adaptive rowing is rowing or sculling for rowers with a disability who meet the criteria set out in the Adaptive rowing classification regulations. Adaptive implies that the equipment is “adapted” to the user to practice the sport, rather than the sport being “adapted” to the user.

The International Rowing Federation (FISA) is the sole world governing body for Rowing, and the sport is practiced by athletes in 24 countries. It was introduced into the Paralympic programme in 2005 and held its first Paralympic events in Beijing in 2008.

Adaptive rowing is open to male and female rowers, and is currently divided into four boat classes which are part of the World Championships programme: LTAIDMix4+, LTAMix4+, TAMix2x, ASW1x and ASM1x.The LTA4+ and TA2x are mixed gender boats. Races are held over 1000 metres for all four events (although LTA4+ was raced over 2000m until the 2005 World Rowing Championships).

History

FISA introduced Adaptive rowing on a World Championship level at its 2002 World Rowing Championships in Seville, Spain, when 38 athletes competed in the single sculls and the coxed four. The sport has continued to develop since with four boat classes at the 2003 World Rowing Championships in Milan, Italy.

At the 2004 World Rowing Senior and Junior Championships in Banyoles, Spain, 66 adaptive rowing athletes took part.

In 2005, 10 countries entered a total number of 42 adaptive rowers for the World Rowing Championships totalling 15 boats.

In 2008, the first Paralympic Regatta in rowing history was held in Beijing, China, from 9 to 11 September.

Click here to meet the 2008 Paralympic Champions.

Competition Description

Adaptive Rowing currently has four boat classes which are adapted for different types of disabilities.

The four boat classes are:

LTAMix4+ (Legs, trunk and arms mixed coxed four)Raced over 1000 metres (since 2006 – previously 2000 metres)
Sliding seat
Mixed gender boat

LTAIDMix4+ (Legs, trunk and arms mixed coxed four for intellectually disabled)
Raced over 1000 metres
Sliding seat
Mixed gender boat

TAMix2x (trunk and arms mixed double scull)
Raced over 1000 metres
Fixed seat
Mixed gender boat

ASW1x (women’s single, arms and shoulders)
1000 metres
Fixed seat
Women only

ASM1x (men’s single, arms and shoulders)
1000 metres
Fixed seat
Men only

Paralympic Games

2008 Paralympic Rowing Regatta (practical information here)

2012 Paralmpic Qualificatin criteria (IPC document here)

ParalympicSport.TV

Technology and Equipment

The hull of the adaptive rowing boat is identical to able-bodied boats. Adaptive rowing boats are equipped with special seats, which vary according to the disability of the rower. To date, there are no other specifications on the seat apart from the following: the LTA4+ has a sliding seat; the other three boat classes have fixed seats. The TA 2x has a seat, which offers ‘complimentary support’. The AW1x and AM1x are equipped with a seat, which offers ‘postural support’ to those individuals with compromised sitting balance (i.e. Spinal cord injury, Cerebral Palsy). This ensures that the upper body is supported and kept in a fixed position.
Smaller boats are equipped with buoyancy devices called pontoons, which act as stabilizers attached to the boats riggers providing additional lateral balance.

Adaptive Rowing Equipment List 2009

Classification

Regulations

2010 FISA Adaptive Rowing Regulations

Other related links and websites

IPC - International Paralympic Committee

FISA's Adaptive Rowing Commission

Chaired by Fay Ho (HKG) FISA's Adaptive Rowing Commission's main areas of responsibility are:

• To oversee all areas of adaptive rowing
• To increase participation in adaptive rowing at all levels of performance
• To promote and monitor trends in adaptive rowing at national, international and paralympic levels
• To provide advice on adaptive rowing as required by FISA
  

Click here to view the list of members of FISA's Adaptive Rowing Commission and their contact details.