Saudi Indoor Rowing Championship 2025 in (Riyadh)

Indoor Rowing Rules

Devices

• Rowing apparatus must be approved by the International Rowing Federation (IRF) or the Saudi Rowing Federation (SRF).

• The Concept2 is used in the official championships as it is the internationally recognized device.

Lightweight Category

• Participants in the lightweight category are required to be weighed before the start of the race.

Settings

• Drag Factor: The racer can set this from 1 to 10 before the start of the race, as it affects traction, speed, and power required.

• Slide Length: Some devices allow this to be adjusted and must be set before the race starts.

Inspection and Calibration

• All equipment is checked before the race for accuracy and safety.

• If there is any malfunction or defect, it must be reported immediately and repaired before the start of the race.

Racers

Age and Weight Categories

Men’s Age Groups

• U15 – 4 minutes

• U17 – 6 minutes

• U19 – 2000 meters

• U23 – 2000 meters

• U23 Lightweight – 2000 meters

• Adult – 2000 meters

• Seniors Lightweight – 2000 meters

• Masters 30–39 – 2000 meters

• Masters 30–39 Lightweight – 2000 meters

• Masters 40–49 years old – 2000 meters

• Masters 50+ – 2000 meters

• PR1 (Disabled) – 500 meters

• PR2 (Disabled) – 500 meters

• PR3 Category (People with Disabilities) – 500 meters

• Visually Impaired (Disabled) – 500 meters

• U19 Relay (Boys) – 2000 meters

• Adult Relay (Mixed) – 2000 meters

Women’s Age Groups

• U15 – 4 minutes

• U17 – 6 minutes

• U19 – 2000 meters

• U23 – 2000 meters

• U23 Lightweight – 2000 meters

• Adult – 2000 meters

• Seniors Lightweight – 2000 meters

• Masters 30–39 – 2000 meters

• Masters 30–39 Lightweight – 2000 meters

• Masters 40–49 years old – 2000 meters

• Masters 50+ – 2000 meters

• PR1 (Disabled) – 500 meters

• PR2 (Disabled) – 500 meters

• PR3 Category (People with Disabilities) – 500 meters

• PR2 (Persons with Disabilities) – 500 meters

• U19 Relay (Girls) – 2000 meters

• Adult Relay (Mixed) – 2000 meters

Weight Categories

• Lightweight:

  • Men – Maximum 75 kg

  • Women – Maximum 61.5 kg

• Open Weight: No weight restrictions.

Registration and Verification

• Pre-registration is required with the required data (age, weight).

• The official weigh-in takes place two hours before the race or within the previous 24 hours for weight classes.

• Weights are documented to ensure correct categorization.

Distances

• 4 minutes

• 6 minutes

• 500 meters

• 2000 meters

Race Preparation

• Runners are prepared and the seats and handles are pre-adjusted before the start of the race.

Starting

• The race starts with a sound or light signal.

• Devices are set to Race Mode to ensure synchronization.

• If a false start occurs, the race is stopped and restarted.

Timing and Recording

• Recording and timing are done electronically via the system linked to the devices.

• Results are collected electronically, and racers are ranked according to their recorded time.

• In the event of a tie, the race is repeated or the results are revised.

Finish Line and Announcement of Winners

• A runner is considered to have finished the race when he/she reaches the specified distance.

• In the event of a tie, the jury decides whether to repeat the race or adopt the recorded result.

• The results will be announced after review and scrutiny.

• Medals and prizes will be distributed according to the approved categories.

Rules of Conduct

• Sportsmanship: Respect must be shown to all contestants and judges, and any unsportsmanlike behavior will result in disqualification.

• Compliance with the Rules: Failure to comply with instructions or rules may result in penalties up to and including disqualification.

Objections

• The competitor or his/her representative has the right to file an official protest in case of an irregularity or timing error.

• The protest must be submitted within the specified period after the end of the race.

• The jury will review the protest and its decision is final.

Safety

• Medical Examination: Mandatory for all participants and must be submitted 24 hours prior to the event to ensure medical fitness.

• Health Conditions: Some conditions may prevent participation for the safety of the participant.

• Emergency Procedures: Clear protocols are in place to deal with injuries or health crises, with a full medical team on site.

Participant Weigh-in and Verification

• Participants in the lightweight category will be weighed 24 hours before the tournament or two hours before the race.

• All participants are required to attend one day before the tournament to receive the clothing tag and confirm their weight and age group.

• Relay team members must also register their names on this day if they wish to participate in that category.

• All participants must show up two hours before the race.

Lightweight Eligibility

• A contestant may participate in the lightweight category only if their weight is ≤ 75 kg for men and ≤ 61.5 kg for women.

Results Management

• All results are issued through the Time Team system, which is officially authorized to manage the race system and issue results.

Paralympic Rankings in Indoor Rowing

• PR1 – Arm and Shoulder Only: Athletes in this category have very limited use of the legs and trunk and rely solely on the arms and shoulders to row. The seat is stationary and does not allow any movement of the torso during the performance.

• PR2 – Torso and Arm: Athletes in this category have more use of the torso but cannot use the legs. The upper body is used for the pull, allowing for more torso movement during the row.

• PR3 – Full Mobility: Athletes in this category have full use of the legs, trunk, and arms, and include people with visual impairments or minor limb impairments. The seats are movable and allow for full freedom of movement while rowing.

By car: There are many ways to reach your destination including heading along King Fahd Road, merging onto Northern Ring Road, and continuing on Northern Ring Bridge Road before turning right and then left. GPS navigation is highly advised.

By taxi: You can easily reach your destination by taking a taxi or a ride-hailing app.