Para-Rowing
Para-rowing provides athletes with a physical or intellectual impairment the opportunity to be active on the water, get involved in a fun and friendly club environment, and participate in a variety of competitions from club regattas through state and national championships to world championships and Paralympic Games. Para-rowing was introduced to the Paralympic programme at Beijing 2008. It is open to athletes with a physical impairment or vision impairment. Athletes compete in single sculls, double scull, or a coxed four depending on their level of impairment.
In 2024 at the Paris Paralympics, Jed Altschwager and his rowing partner Nikki Ayers, became the first Gold Medalists in the PX3 Mixed Pair compeititon.
Jed Altschwager is a member of the Torrens Rowing Club and is an Australian Paralympic rower who has become a prominent figure in adaptive rowing. After losing his foot in a workplace accident involving an excavator in 2015, Altschwager discovered rowing during his rehabilitation and took up the sport in 2017. His resilience and determination quickly propelled him to the international stage. Altschwager made his international debut at the 2018 World Rowing Championships, securing a silver medal in the Men’s PR3 Men’s Pair with James Talbot. The following year, he teamed up with Will Smith to win another silver medal in the same event at the 2019 World Rowing Championships.
In 2023, Altschwager and Ayers achieved a career highlight by winning the gold medal in the PR3 Mixed Double at the World Rowing Championships in Belgrade. This victory solidified their reputation as a formidable team and earned them selection for the 2024 Paris Paralympics where they won Australia’s first Gold Medal in the PR3 Mixed Double Sculls in 7:11.30 min.
The sport can cater for athletes with a variety of impairments. Please refer to the the Rowing Australia classification page for the detailed information on classification which ensure fair competition by grouping athletes based on their functional abilities related to rowing rather than their specific impairments.
Para-Rowing is integrated into the High Performance unit within Rowing Australia. It was introduced as a Paralympic sport at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games and provides athletes with the opportunity to achieve at the highest level.
In conjunction with the APC and State Sporting Organisations, Rowing Australia is actively identifying talent in each state.
Classes
| Class | Description (Guide Only) |
| PR1 | Athletes with the most significant physical impairments. Rowers primarily use their arms and shoulders to accelerate the boat, as they have minimal use of their torso and legs. Athletes use strapping around their torso to provide support and stability in the boat. |
| PR2 | Rowers use their torso and arms to accelerate the boat. PR2 boats are equipped with fixed seats. |
| PR3 | Rowers may have a physical (PR3 – PI) or vision impairment (PR3-VI). Rowers are able to use their arms, torso and legs and can use a sliding seat during stroke. |
| Not Eligible (NE) | Athletes do not meet the minimum criteria for the para-sport classes. Rowing Australia offer competition opportunities for athletes with an intellectual impairment. Contact Rowing Australia for more information. |
Athletes are assessed by the Rowing Australia Medical and Technical Classifiers and placed in the appropriate Sport Class. The assessment looks at the athletes range of movement, strength, and coordination in all limbs. For more information, visit the Rowing Australia website below.