United We Row

Rowing programs across the country open their doors to over 1000 U.S. Veterans and Members of the Armed Services with disabilities through a program called Freedom Rows. With over 1000 Veterans engaged in this important program annually, the impact is vast.

Veterans who row in Freedom Rows programs across the country participate in various ways, taking advantage of the full range of opportunities and benefits of rowing – from recreational rowing at their local VA sports facility or rowing club to competing in the Paralympics. Veterans report greater confidence and independence, feeling more positive, and the impact of the camaraderie and team on their lives.

Participating Organizations

USRowing offers three benefits to any Veterans involved in rowing:

CrewLab: Train. Build Community. Stay Accountable.

CrewLab is our dedicated space for Veterans to connect and train together. Think of it as a personal squad—focused on fitness, mindset, and mutual support. Veterans can stay accountable with group sessions, virtual check-ins, and a like-minded community that understands the journey. Veterans do not need to be part of an existing Freedom Rows program to join. To sign up, follow this link to download CrewLab and join the squad.

Free Memberships for Veterans

Because cost shouldn’t be a barrier to your next mission, we offer a limited number of free memberships to Veterans in Freedom Rows Programs. Email community@usrowing.org to learn more.

Freedom Rows Exhibition Rows at RowFest

Get ready for military head-to-head competition launching this summer. Designed to challenge, motivate, and celebrate your grit, these races are tailored for veterans and active-duty personnel. Compete, push your limits, and honor the warrior spirit. Learn more here.

"The first time I got on the water, I was hooked. It’s this tranquility and peace. You have to just concentrate on that so, all these things going on in my head, all these issues, all my pains everything just goes to the back of your head because you literally have to focus on what you’re doing.” - Sarah Frazier-Kim, a disabled Marine, a wife, and a mother.

"I was a Navy doctor for seven years and while serving on Active Duty, I was severely injured, followed by 52 surgeries and the amputation of my leg. I spent over two years in the hospital and feel like I lost everything I worked for, including the person I used to like being. My PT at the Miami VA knew my unfulfilled dream was to be a rower. “If life didn’t give him his dream, maybe his dream will give him back his life.” And it did. USRowing’s Freedom Rows helped me with opportunity and with means, I needed both. Freedom Rows. Two simple words: FREEDOM and ROWS. It’s where I started over and part of who I am today." - Army Veteran and Para Rower