Q&A about the 2025 World Rowing Indoor Championships, Presented by Concept2

The 2025 World Rowing Indoor Championships (WRICH) will be held virtually, allowing rowers worldwide to compete from their own locations. Below are answers to common questions regarding participation:

How can I qualify for the 2025 WRICH?

• Open Qualification Period: Through to 20 January 2025, athletes can submit their best times in their respective events.
• Heats: The top 150 competitors in each gender and weight category per continental time zone will be invited to the Heats. Additionally, the top 10 athletes in each age category who do not qualify directly may receive wildcard entries.
• Semi-finals and Finals: From the Heats, the top 50 competitors in each category advance to the semi-finals, and the best 20 proceed to the Grand Finals.

What are the age categories for the competition?

Age categories are as follows:

• Juniors: Under 19
• Under 23: 19-22
• Seniors: 23-39
• Masters: 40 and above, divided into five-year age bands (e.g., 40-44, 45-49, etc.)

Your age category is determined by your age on the date of the competition.

What events are included in the 2025 WRICH?

The championships feature a variety of events, including:

• Individual Races: 500m and 2000m
• Relays: Endurance Relay and Sprint Relay
• Long-Distance Events: 5km

Specific details about each event are provided in the Competitor Information Guide.

Is there a registration fee to participate?

Yes, there is a registration fee of €50 for individual entries. Participants who do not progress to the Continental Knockout phase will receive a reimbursement of €40.

Will medals be awarded in all age categories?

Yes, medals will be awarded to the top three competitors in all age categories. Additionally, following the finals, all participants will receive official World, Continental, and Age Group rankings.

How will the virtual competition be conducted?

The competition will utilize advanced virtual technology to enable real-time racing across different continents. Participants will compete from their own locations, and races will be scheduled according to continental time zones to accommodate global participation.

Where can I find more information and updates?

For the latest information, including the Competitor Information Guide and registration details, please visit the official World Rowing website:

For specific inquiries, you can contact indoor@worldrowing.com. Please note that a Q&A with World Rowing about the WRICH will be held on World Rowing’s Instagram Page on Friday, 10 January.