Para Rowing Classifications
Para rowing is sweep or sculling rowing and there are three sport classes offered within Para rowing:
- PR1
Physical Impairment. This sport class is for athletes who row predominately with their arms and shoulders. Athletes use strapping around their mid section to provide support and stability in the boat.
Examples of PR1 impairments include (but are not limited to):- Ataxia, athetosis or hypertonia from Cerebral Palsy, brain injury or stroke who use a wheelchair, with both legs and the trunk involved;
- Loss of muscle strength equivalent to complete spinal cord injury at T12 level.
- PR2
Physical Impairment. This sport class is for rowers who have trunk and arm movement, who are unable to use their legs to propel the sliding seat.
Examples of PR2 impairments include (but are not limited to):- Limb loss equivalent to a double around the knee amputation;
- Significant muscle strength loss in both legs equivalent to complete spinal cord injury at L3 level or incomplete lesion at L1;
- Ataxia, athetosis or hypertonia from Cerebral Palsy, brain injury or stroke which affects both legs or one side of the body;
- Significant permanently decreased range of motion in one or both knees.
- PR3
Physical Impairment (PI) and Visual Impairment (VI). This sport class is for rowers who have the use of their legs, trunk and arms, who can utilize the sliding seat.
Examples of PR3 impairments include (but are not limited to):- Limb loss, at least full loss of three fingers on one hand, or at least a tarsal metatarsal amputation of the foot;
- Loss of muscle strength e.g. equivalent to incomplete spinal cord injury at S1;
- Minimal ataxia, athetosis, hypertonia e.g. Cerebral Palsy, brain injury, stroke or MS, usually affecting only one limb.
Competition Classes for Athletes with a Visual impairment
- PR3 - B1: Visual Acuity is poorer than LogMAR 2.60. May have some light perception but unable to see shape of hand at any distance
- PR3 - B2: Visual Acuity ranges from LogMAR 1.50 to 2.60 inclusive; and/or a Visual Field that is constricted to a radius of 5 degrees (up to 2/60 vision)
- PR3 - B3: Visual Acuity ranges from LogMAR 1.40 to 1.0 inclusive; and/or a Visual Field constricted to a radius of 20 degrees (2/60 to 6/60 vision)
World Rowing has created an online tool to help potential Para athletes determine their eligibility for Para rowing and to give an indication of what sport class they may be eligible for. The online tool is available here.
Please be advised that the tool provides an indication only. The actual sport class can only be determined after pre-classification and consequently international classification by a World Rowing panel before an event.
For more information regarding Para rowing classifications, please see the World Rowing website.
Paralympics NZ have further information on para classifications and are able to provide athletes with a provisional classification. For more information please visit Paralympics NZ.