Key facts

Venue: Eton Dorney
Dates: Friday 31 August – Sunday 2 September 2012
Medal events: 4
Athletes: 96 (48 men, 48 women)

Although its history dates back centuries, Rowing only came of age as a competitive sport in the last 200 years. Interest began to increase after Oxford and Cambridge Universities began their rivalry on the Thames in 1829, a rivalry that continues today in the shape of the annual Boat Race. The sport made its Paralympic debut in Beijing – when Great Britain topped the medal table – and looks set to offer plenty of drama at London 2012.

The basics

Paralympic Rowing is commonly referred to as ‘adaptive’ Rowing, meaning that the equipment is adapted so the athlete can practise the sport rather than the sport being adapted to the athlete.

At London 2012, the programme will feature four medal events. These include two mixed-gender events – the Coxed Four and Double Sculls – plus the men’s and women’s Single Sculls. All the races will be held over a 1000m course.

Paralympic Rowing events at London 2012 will all begin with heats, with two boats from each heat qualifying directly for the final. All remaining boats will then compete in two repechage races, which offer a second chance to qualify for the final and row for gold.

Paralympic Rowing, past and present

The newest arrival on the Paralympic programme, Rowing appeared at the Games for the first time at Beijing in 2008. At London 2012, the competition will be held on the spectacular lake at Eton Dorney.

Jargon buster

- Coxswain: The coxswain, or ‘cox’, sits at the stern and is responsible for steering the boat and directing the crew.
- Scull: To row with two oars, one in each hand.
- Sweep: To row with one oar

See the London 2012 Paralympic Games competition schedule

Get involved

To find your nearest boat club, get in touch with British Rowing: the national governing body for the sport in the UK, British Rowing runs Project Oarsome, a scheme to help young people at state schools in the UK get started in the sport. You can also learn more about how to get involved on the Parasport website, and there is further information at website of the International Rowing Federation.

See also