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2023 World Rowing Championships, Belgrade, Serbia © Detlev Seyb / MyRowingPhoto.com

About World Rowing

What is World Rowing ?

World Rowing, previously named FISA (from the French, Fédération Internationale des Sociétés d’Aviron) is the governing body of the sport of rowing. It is empowered by its 157 member National Rowing Federations.

World Rowing sets the rules and regulations for the practice of the sport, in all its forms including elite, para-rowing, coastal, masters and aspects of indoor rowing. World Rowing oversees sanctioned events and provides advice and expertise for the organisation of rowing regattas. The Federation also works on coaching education and other matters relating to the sport and its development.

World Rowing’s Vision

To encourage the development of the sport of rowing and strengthen the bonds that unite all who enjoy this sport.

World Rowing’s Mission

To make rowing a universally practiced and globally relevant sport in all its forms. To effectively and efficiently govern, develop, showcase and promote the sport of rowing and respect and protect the environment when practicing the sport.

World Rowing’s Guiding Principles

  • Priority to Rowers and Rowing: ​The interests, well-being and health of the rowers are always at the centre of our sport. World Rowing directs its work in the interests of rowers and rowing
  • Rowing in all its Forms: ​World Rowing recognises the value of the different forms of rowing that exist globally and that enable the sport to be practised by people of differing ages, abilities and training objectives. World Rowing seeks to both represent and develop all of these different forms of rowing.
  • Equality of Opportunity & Fairness:​ World Rowing seeks to ensure fairness and equality of opportunity, both in competition and across all levels of the organisation.
  • Inclusion & Non-Discrimination: ​World Rowing is committed to inclusion and accessibility, strives for gender equality and does not tolerate any form of discrimination.
  • Integrity: ​World Rowing is committed to the highest ethical standards, is a recognised leader in the fight against doping and is dedicated to preventing the manipulation of competitions.
  • Sustainability: ​World Rowing carefully assesses sustainability in all its actions and decisions. World Rowing endorses a responsible and sustainable approach to the planning and staging of its events so as to maximise positive impacts and minimise negative impacts on the environment and surrounding communities.
  • Autonomy & Independence: ​World Rowing undertakes to preserve the independence and autonomy of international sport.
  • Integral Part of World Sport: ​World Rowing seeks to ensure a leading position for rowing in the world of sport. World Rowing is an integral member of the Olympic and Paralympic movements and other leading world sports organisations.

Core Values of Rowing

  • Fairness: In a spirit of fair play, rowers learn self-discipline, the need for commitment and respect for their opponents.
  • Teamwork: Rowers learn that by working together to achieve a common goal everyone achieves more.
  • Inclusiveness: Rowers combine into a single and cooperative community, irrespective of race, gender, orientation, creed, age or ability.
  • Timeless: Rowers pass on time-honoured values and shared experiences from past to future generations.
  • Environmental awareness: Rowers respect and safeguard the water and its surroundings.

World Rowing -Strategic Framework

World Rowing is the governing body of the sport of rowing in the Olympic Programme & Paralympic Programme

IOC logo    Paralympic Committee logo

World Rowing is a member of the following organisations

ASOIF logo    GAISF logo