About Para-Rowing

Chattanooga

The Para-Rowing Program is one of Chattanooga Rowing's charitable endeavors, designed to bring the sport to community members who, because of physical, visual, or cognitive challenges, might not otherwise experience rowing. The program serves not only athletes with special needs but also provides volunteers and partner organizations a meaningful way to give back.

Chattanooga Rowing partners with the Therapeutic Recreation department of the Chattanooga Parks and Recreation Department to identify interested participants. A distinctive feature is teaching caregivers to row alongside their athlete whenever possible — making them active participants rather than bystanders. For more information, visit chattanoogarowing.org.

Atlanta

The Atlanta Rowing Club's para-rowing program traces its roots to the 1990s, inspired by the Atlanta 1996 Paralympic Games. Interest grew following rowing's inclusion in the 2008 Paralympics, and the program was revived in 2012. By 2016, a grant from the C.H. Neilsen Foundation enabled significant expansion. In 2017, ARC partnered with BlazeSports America to extend programming to juniors and Veterans, and in 2018 became an affiliate of the US Rowing Freedom Rows Program.

Today, the Atlanta Rowing Club Para-rowing Program is a regional advocate for inclusion, with athletes competing at events including the Atlanta Erg Sprints, Clemson Sprints, Dogwood Masters, Chattahoochee Sprints, US Rowing SE Regionals, and US Rowing Masters Nationals.