Eligibility & requirements

The Indoor Rowing Rules of Racing are applied to the 2025 World Rowing Virtual Series.

Categories

Nationality

Competitors must submit a valid passport or national ID at the time of entry to confirm their nationality.

Age categories

Rule IR 8 states: “The age of a competitor for indoor rowing events shall be the age on the 31 Dec of the year in which the competition takes place.”

Gender

Please refer to the Rule 13 of World Rowing Rules of Racing and its Bye-Laws.

Lightweight categories

Lightweight competitors are defined as men weighing ≤75 kg and women weighing ≤61.5 kg. Competitors must weigh in on the same day as their performance.

The score submission process will require Lightweight competitors to upload a one-piece video as a proof of weight and date that contains:

• • • A labelled test weight (non-modifiable) in kilograms or equivalent (such as a dumbbell or weighted plate) placed on the digital scale (0.1-unit display), with a clear reading of the weight indicated on both.
    • Test weight removed, the competitor’s full body (including their face) on a digital scale in their racing clothes and a zoom on the scale screen showing the weight.
    • The proof of date using this webpage (must be the same as the PM date)

Para athletes (physical and visual impairments)

To compete in PR1, PR2, and PR3 (including PR3-VI) events, both National and International Physical/Visual Classifications will be accepted. Competitors must possess a valid national or international sport class in order to compete in PR1, PR2, or PR3 events. To view the list of athletes who have been internationally classified, please view the Master Athlete Classification List on the World Rowing Website.

Open Para categories

“Non-Classified” Para athletes (in WR PR categories) and any person with a disability, new to indoor rowing and who has not been classified, is able to enter the Open Para category.

 

No ranking will be displayed for the Open Para categories. For your personal information, you can use the Para Rowing Eligibility Assessment Form to determine your potential Sports Class (the one in which you would most likely be classified). Based on this information, you can then consult the rankings and see where you would have been placed with your performance.

Registration

The process to register and participate in the 2025 World Rowing Virtual Series will be released soon right here! Stay tuned…

 

Rates to enter the Virtual Series including 4 challenges from June/July to September:

Dates TBC / Early bird rate: 15 euros

1 June – 31 July: 20 euros

 

Late entries rates:

1-31 August (competing for challenges 3 and 4): 17.50 euros

1-30 September (competing for challenge 4 only): 15 euros

Rankings

Scratch rankings and rankings by category will be displayed after the conclusion of each challenge in Men, Women, PR1 M/W, PR2 M/W, PR3M/W. All rankings will be updated both across each challenge until the last day of each month and across the 4 months of Virtual Series for the Overall ranking, only including participants that have submitted a result in each all challenges.

 

Using filters, you will be able to display the detailed rankings in each age category, per challenge and Overall.

 

No ranking will be displayed for the Open Para categories.

Rewards and prizes

For each challenge, each participant receives a virtual badge/diploma to certify their performance and ranking. To share on social media, print and display at home, etc., you have plenty of opportunities to tell the world about your performance and demonstrate your proudness!

 

Moreover, the Virtual Series offer all participants the opportunity to win prizes in various random draws, including…

 

In each challenge
free entries for the 2026 WRICH, free entries for the 2026 Virtual Series, privileged interviews with rowing champions and medallists, etc.

 

For Serial Rowers who have completed all four challenges
Guess what…? Concept2 RowErgs to be won in prize draws!

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Medical & Anti-Doping

Medical Requirements: Competitors must ensure they are physically fit and have been medically cleared to participate in strenuous activities. Since the event is virtual, it is highly recommended that competitors do not race alone and have someone present to assist in case of an emergency. You will be required to agree to a medical waiver to enter the WRICH.

Anti-Doping: Doping is fundamentally contrary to the spirit of sport, the principle of fair play, medical ethics and can be harmful for the health of the rowers. For information about prohibited substances and methods, please consult WADA’s Prohibited List. Please note that as a condition of participation in the WRICH, competitors may be subject to anti-doping testing.

If World Rowing chooses to collect a sample from a competitor who is not an International Level competitor and that competitor is using a Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method for therapeutic reasons, World Rowing will permit the competitor to apply for a Retroactive Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE). Please note that participation in this event on its own, does not qualify a competitor as International Level for TUE purposes. For additional information: Please refer to World Rowing’s anti-doping information page on the website Anti-Doping information page which includes information about TUE. Please also refer to the International Testing Agency’s (ITA) information page https://ita.sport/athlete-hub/

If you have questions about applying for a TUE please contact tue@ita.sport.

For additional questions related to Anti-Doping, please contact wr@ita.sport

Liability & Waiver

A Liability and Waiver document must be agreed to during the Entry process.

By participating in the 2025 Virtual Series, competitors acknowledge and accept all World Rowing regulations and ethical standards, and specifically the following conditions:

• Rules and fairness: Competitors are expected to adhere strictly to the rules and participate without any attempt to cheat or manipulate results. Information and scores submitted must correspond to the registered athlete and the exact performance he/she achieves.
• Assumption of Risk: Competitors acknowledge that indoor rowing is a physically demanding activity that carries inherent risks of injury or health complications. By entering the VS, competitors confirm they are in good health and capable of participating. They accept full responsibility for any injury, illness, or damage that may occur as a result of their participation.
• No Insurance Provided: World Rowing does not provide insurance coverage for competitors, including life, medical, or liability insurance. It is the competitor’s responsibility to ensure they are adequately insured, or to acknowledge the risks involved in competing without such insurance.
• Responsibility for Injury or Damage: Competitors agree that World Rowing, its event partners, and organizers are not liable for any injury, loss, or damage to competitors’ health, property, or well-being. Competitors accept full responsibility for any risks associated with the event.
• Recommendation for Safety: For safety reasons, all competitors are advised not to race alone. It is recommended that you have someone present during racing. At a minimum, competitors should inform someone of the planned date and time of their race.
• Underage Competitors: Underage competitors must have a parent or guardian present during all race attempts. Parents or guardians assume full responsibility for the safety and well-being of junior participants.
• Filming & Image Rights: By entering the WRICH, competitors consent to being filmed or photographed for promotional purposes. World Rowing and its partners may use this footage for marketing, development, or broadcast, without compensation.

Commitment

As an individual who enters to participate in events or activities staged under the authority of World Rowing, I agree to abide by the World Rowing Statutes, Rules of Racing and Event Regulations. I recognize and accept:

1. Authority – World Rowing’s authority on all matters concerning international rowing.

2. Governance – The mandatory character of the Statutes, Rules of Racing, Event Regulations, Bye Laws and other rules regulating World Rowing, in their current version and as amended from time to time, and I agree to uphold and abide by them without reservation, event, not limited to my individual commitment set out in Articles 56 and 57 and my obligations under Part V “Integrity of Sport” regarding:

a. Ethical Principles & Integrity – The obligation to respect fundamental ethical principles and to behave, in all circumstances, in an appropriate manner, and I agree to respect the World Rowing Code of Ethics (Bye-Law to Article 58 of the World Rowing Statutes), including the World Rowing Policy and Procedures on Safeguarding Participants in Rowing from Harassment and Abuse.

b. Integrity in Competition – The obligation to be bound event, be required to respect the Bye Law to Article 59 of the World Rowing Statutes relating to Manipulation of Competition and Betting.

3. Safety – In taking part in any World Rowing events as a rower, I acknowledge, agree and confirm that:

a. I am aware of the element of risk involved in indoor rowing and accept responsibility for the exposure of myself to such inherent risk;

b. I am responsible for my own safety

c. It is my responsibility to ensure that I have an appropriate state of health and fitness to participate;

In taking part in any World Rowing event in any role, I acknowledge, agree and confirm that:

a. I am responsible for any injury, damage or loss to the extent caused by my own actions or omissions;

b. I am, or my club / Member Federation is, responsible to have adequate and appropriate insurance cover in place for the duration of my participation at any World Rowing event. Such insurances shall include, but are not limited to, general (third party) liability, travel, medical expenses (including repatriation), property and equipment.

4. Anti-doping – Notwithstanding the WADA Athlete Data Consent Form (World Rowing Bye-Law to Article 57, Appendix S10b), the authority of World Rowing regarding anti-doping set out in World Rowing’s Statutes, Rules and Bye-Laws and the World Anti-Doping Code and Regulations including to implement in- and out-of-competition anti-doping testing and the biological passport; and,

a. confirm that I do not use and that I will not, as an elite or recreational rower, use substances or methods or, as a support person, participate in or facilitate any acts that are prohibited by the World Rowing anti-doping rules and the World Anti-Doping Code;

b. agree to submit to any tests (blood, urine, breath, DNA, etc.) carried out by World Rowing, WADA or any other approved agency; and,

c. accept if I infringe the anti-doping provisions, that I might be penalized extending to, in a relevant case, a life ban from all competition.

In the event of any conflict between the World Rowing Commitment Form and the WADA Athlete Data Consent Form, the WADA form takes authority.

5. Photographs – the prohibition of the use of any photographs, videos or films or other images that I might take during World Rowing events, international regattas and other World Rowing activities other than for personal or non-commercial purposes, without specific written authorization from World Rowing.

6. Filming – the possibility of being filmed, (either for television or other medium), photographed, identified or recorded in any other way during World Rowing events, international regattas or other World Rowing activities in which I take part under the conditions and for purposes currently or in the future authorised by World Rowing. Such films or other recordings may be used by World Rowing, or parties authorised by World Rowing, in any way, including sale and advertising, for the promotion and development of rowing, without any right to payment of compensation, but excluding the use which implies endorsement by me of any other commercial entity, product or service.

7. Personal Data – that World Rowing, or third parties contracted by World Rowing, may collect, store, process, use and disclose to third parties, my personal data related to participation in any competition organised under the umbrella of World Rowing (the “Personal Data”) to the extent necessary to facilitate participation in, and/or the organising and promoting of, rowing competitions, and may create and keep up to date my Personal Data on sports databases, and may use such Personal Data in any other way in which I have or will provide my express consent or as may be required by law.

8. Social Media – that if I publish any comments, opinions and any other material in any way, including on social and digital media at or in relation to a World Rowing event or activity, I am solely responsible for the consequences of this action. I will ensure that these comments or opinions comply with applicable laws and that all necessary permissions have been obtained from any third parties whose image or property is used. When using social and digital media, I will not:

9. Jurisdiction – World Rowing’s jurisdiction to make any decision or impose any sanction within its field of competence and I will accept all such World Rowing decisions or sanctions with only the reservation of paragraph 10 below.

10. Right to Appeal – the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), in Lausanne Switzerland, as the only competent judicial authority external to World Rowing to settle in a definitive manner any litigation remaining after all internal World Rowing remedies have been exhausted and any appeal against a final decision taken by World Rowing which affects me, and that this excludes any other ordinary court of law, any civil judicial authority of any country and any arbitration body.

11. Swiss Law – the application of Swiss law and the Swiss federal procedural law as supplemental to World Rowing and CAS rules and regulations with Lausanne as the only place and seat of the arbitration.

12.Validity – this commitment remains in force unless and until I have formally revoked it in writing and such written revocation has reached the World Rowing headquarters.