Rowing

Athletes Without Limits is looking for talented athletes with intellectual disability to develop a US team for upcoming rowing events.

As the US member of INAS-FID, Athletes Without Limits offers opportunities for US athletes to compete in indoor and on the water adaptive rowing. International competitions are already being organized by INAS-FID and FISA (the international governing body for rowing). Qualified athletes may be able to travel to international competitions with the US delegation and there are new opportunities for Paralympic competition now that a class for intellectual disability may be added to rowing for the London 2012 Paralympics and other IPC/FISA events.

Athletes must meet the INAS-FID eligibility requirements and complete the eligibility application to be considered. Please review eligibility guidelines and contact us if you know of any athletes who may be interested in competing in or aspiring to compete in national and international elite level competition.  We look forward to meeting you!

Rowing Events

    International: INAS-FID Indoor Rowing

    Global Games athletes particpated in a rowing demonstration in July to introduce the sport to INAS-FID athletes.

    The International Federation for Sport for Athletes with an Intellectual Disability (INAS-FID) introduced indoor rowing (1,000m on a stationary ergometer) as a demonstration sport at the 2009 Global Games. US swimmer Gail Morning ranked in the top 12 on the 1,000m ergometer challenge!

    The first INAS-FID sanctioned Indoor World Rowing Championships was held in Hong Kong on November 16-21, 2009 (registration deadline has passed). There are 4 distances 500m, 1000m, 2000m and a 4×500m relay. Athletes will be divided by gender and age groups: Junior (Up to 18), Under 23, and Senior (23+). Additional events, including the 2nd INAS-FID Indoor World Rowing Championships are being planned.

    Athletes Without Limits will organize a trips to INAS-FID rowing events based on athlete interest. Interested athletes must work with Athletes Without Limits, the US Member of INAS-FID, to become INAS-FID registered prior to competing in any INAS-FID rowing event (See Eligibility).

    All INAS-FID rowing competitions are held according to the rules of and officiated by the International Federation of Rowing Associations (FISA) and INAS-FID. As with all INAS-FID competitions, only the top athletes in each event win; there are no separate divisions by ability level as in Special Olympic events.

    International: FISA Rowing (Coxed 4)

    In addition to INAS-FID indoor rowing competitions, there are FISA sanctioned rowing events (on water) that are open to INAS-FID registered athletes. The International Federation of Rowing Associations (FISA) promotes the inclusion of athletes with intellectual disabilities into mainstream rowing world championships by including an adaptive rowing classification for a mixed coxed four for athletes with intellectual disability (LTAIDMix4+) racing 1,000 meters. Read more about adaptive rowing at FISA’s website.

    Paralympic Rowing

    Following the November 2009 vote to re-include athletes with intellectual disability into Paralympic competition, rowing is likely to be one of the inclusive sports with a mixed gender coxed 4 racing over 1,000 meters. US rowers with intellectual disability may have the opportunity to qualify to represent the US at the London 2012 Games. More information will be posted as it becomes available, however the IPC has stated that meeting INAS-FID eligibility criteria is the first step toward Paralympic classification.

    National: Rowing Opportunities in the US

    Athletes Without Limits supports the identification and development of US rowers with intellectual disability—please contact us if you are interested in learning more about rowing opportunities in the US.

    The USRowing website provides a list of rowing clubs by area. Interested athletes should register for a learn to row (sweep boats) program at their local rowing club.

    Print or share this page:
    • Print
    • Facebook
    • Twitter