The 2025 World Rowing Championships opened on Sept 21 in Shanghai, drawing more than 1,200 elite rowers from 55 countries and regions.

This year's championships feature a star-studded lineup, with competition even fiercer than the Olympics. Notable athletes include China's top women's double sculls duo Zhang Ling and Chen Yunxia; Croatia's three-time Olympic champions Martin and Valent Sinkovic; Germany's Oliver Zeidler, the men's single sculls champion at the Paris Olympics; and the UK's rising star Lauren Henry, part of the gold medal-winning women's quadruple sculls team in Paris.

It's the perfect time to reflect on the sport's long journey, from the first official race on the River Thames in 1715 to the upcoming regattas on the shores of Dianshan Lake in Shanghai.

How much do you know about rowing? This guide will get you up to speed on this powerful, fast-paced water sport.

 

🚣‍♀️ Competition categories

Rowing events are classified by crew size, weight class, rowing style, and whether a coxswain is used. The World Rowing Championships, organized by World Rowing, the international rowing federation for the sport, include 23 events across six categories: Men, Women, Lightweight Men, Lightweight Women, Mix, and Para-Rowing.

Each category is further divided by rowing style and by the number of rowers. Some events also distinguish between coxed and coxless boats. Event names follow standard abbreviations:

• "M" for men, "W" for women
• "L" for lightweight
• Numbers indicate rowers (e.g., 1x = single)
• "×" for sculling
• "+" for coxed
• "-" for coxless

Event categories overview

Category	Events
Men (M)	1x, 2x, 2-, 4x, 4-, 8+
Women (W)	1x, 2x, 2-, 4x, 4-, 8+
Lightweight Men (LM)	1x, 2x
Lightweight Women (LW)	1x, 2x
Mix	Mix2x, Mix8+
Para-Rowing	PR1 M1x, PR1 W1x, PR2 Mix2x, PR3 Mix2x, PR3 Mix 4+

Note: In para-rowing, classifications such as PR1 and PR2 are used to categorize athletes based on their physical abilities, ensuring fair competition.

 

 

🚣‍♀️ Crew roles

In rowing, each crew member has a fixed position and a defined role. For example, in an eight-person boat:

• Positions 1 & 2 (Bow Pair): Balance and stability
• Positions 3 to 6 (Engine Room): Main power source
• Positions 7 & 8 (Stern Pair): Rhythm setters
• Coxswain: The only person facing forward, responsible for steering, pacing, and strategy

🚣‍♀️ Rowing course specifications

A standard rowing course measures at least 2150 meters in length and 162 meters in width, featuring eight racing lanes and four auxiliary lanes, each 13.5 meters wide.

In addition to the 2000-meter race distance, the course includes areas for warm-up. A buffer zone of 150-200 meters is required beyond the finish line, with a safety zone on each side equivalent to the width of one lane.

The course is marked by red buoys from 0-100 meters, spaced every 5 meters, white or orange buoys from 100-1750 meters, spaced every 10 or 12.5 meters, and red buoys from 1750-2000 meters, spaced every 5 meters.

 

🚣‍♀️ Accessibility & safety at the 2025 Championships

This year, Shanghai will host its first integrated international rowing event, bringing together world-class athletes, including para-rowers, on the same course and finish line.

To support this, the Shanghai Water Sports Center has upgraded its facilities:

• Shortened pathways from boat storage to the dock
• Barrier-free routes, accessible restrooms and rest areas
• Wider passageways and ramps optimized for wheelchair access

To ensure safety

• Six high-speed rescue boats will be on standby.
• Dedicated ramps will allow quick transport of athletes in case of emergencies such as collisions or discomfort during the race.

 

🚣‍♀️ Fun fact

Rowing is a sport where athletes face backward while racing forward. This unique feature requires synchronized, full-body effort. Rowers use their legs, core, and arms in unison to drive the boat, leveraging the oars and riggers for maximum propulsion.

In coxed events, the coxswain is the only one who faces the finish line, guiding the team with vision and strategy.

 

Why not experience this spectacular blend of speed and strength in person? Check this spectator guide and witness the excitement firsthand.

 

Sources: WeChat account of Shanghai Administration of Sports at "shanghaitiyu", Qingpu district government, World Rowing