United We Row

For the 10th year in a row, USRowing is opening boathouse doors throughout the country to our U.S. Veterans and Members of the Armed Services with disabilities through our Freedom Rows. With over 1000 Veterans engaged in this important program annually, the impact is vast.

Veterans who row in over 30 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.

To increase the number of Veterans with disabilities participating in adaptive and Para rowing categories, USRowing provides the following to participating rowing organizations:

Expert training and technical assistance in adaptive rowing to VA adaptive sports program managers, community rowing coaches and instructors, and VA recreational therapists
Outreach coordination, Paralympic classification of athletes, FISA-certified training of classifiers
Adaptive rowing program development including supplies, coaching stipends rowing equipment, evaluation, and other activities related to the implementation and operation of the program
Guidance on providing a supportive environment for Veterans to enjoy familiar teamwork and comradeship through well checks, classification, and travel for athletes traveling to national training and events.

This program is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to offer Freedom Rows, an adaptive sports grant program facilitated and managed by the National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events Office (NVSP&SE). The mission of the NVSP&SE office is to provide opportunities for veterans to improve their independence, well-being, and quality of life through adaptive sports and therapeutic arts programs.

"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