Indoor Adaptive Rowing

As a trial for the 2026 World Rowing Virtual Indoor Championships and the 2026 World Rowing Virtual Series, World Rowing will offer seven Indoor Adaptive Rowing (IAR) categories for athletes with different physical, visual, intellectual and coordination impairments.

IAR1

• Unable to use legs and/or trunk, with additional limitations in one or both arms.
• High SCI at T4 or above, or triple amputee.
• 3-4 limbs/trunk are significantly impaired.
• Static seat and a single or double handgrip, straps used for safety.

IAR2

• Functional use of arms and shoulders with some amount of trunk function.
• Unable to use legs for rowing.
• Moderate to severely decreased sitting balance.
• Fixed seat with a back rest is used.
• Chest straps used for safety.

IAR3

• Single arm impairment or single side impairments that prevent using both hands.
• Impairment is above the wrist.
• Single hand grip with a sliding seat used.

IAR4

• No or limited leg function with full trunk and arm function.
• Fixed seat with or without a back rest used.
• Straps optional.

IAR5

• Visual impairments.
• Able to use legs, trunk, and arms, but have a permanent physical impairment and meets the minimum impairment criteria for Para Rowing,
• Able to use a sliding seat and achieve at least 50% of the slide when rowing

IAR6

• Open category for those with psychological impairments.
• Athletes with intellectual impairments as per Virtus.
• Minor or non- permanent physical injuries; chronic health conditions; hearing impairments.
• Sliding seat used.

IAR7

• Open category for those who have impairments that do not allow them to use a sliding seat but do not meet the criteria for IAR1-4.
• Fixed seat with or without a back rest used.

 

 

Athletes who already have one of the following eligibilities may enter in an IAR category without any additional documentation or re-assessment:

• Para Rowing Sport Class (PR1, PR2, PR3). National and international Para Rowing classifications are accepted.
• Invictus Games categorisation
• Virtus Eligibility
• IBSA Sport Class (B1, B2, B3)

Please the World Rowing Indoor Adaptive Rowing Categories and Eligibility Requirements Document to see which IAR category your existing eligibility corresponds.

New athletes who do not have one of the above eligibilities can apply for a World Rowing Indoor Adaptive Rowing Categorisation here: Indoor Adaptive Rowing Categorisation Request Form. The Medical Diagnostics Form for Indoor Adaptive Rowing Categorisation and mandatory supporting documentation must be submitted with the online form.

The deadline to apply for a World Rowing Indoor Adaptive Rowing Categorisation for the 2026 World Rowing Virtual Series is Sunday 22 March 2026, 23:59 UTC.

Please find detailed information in the World Rowing Indoor Adaptive Rowing Categories & Eligibility Requirements document below.