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Swift Adaptive Boats
Adaptive/Grades & Construction

ADAPTIVE
GRADES & CONSTRUCTION

FISA-approved · Three Grades · Boat Weights · Adaptive Rigging Guide

Swift's adaptive boats (1x and 2x) are built using FISA's design for adaptive boats and have been approved by FISA for international competition. Three grade options keep these flat-bottomed hulls stiff and durable while keeping weight manageable.

01 · Overview of Adaptive Boats

FISA design.
FISA approved.

Swift's adaptive boats (1x and 2x) are built using FISA's design for adaptive boats and have been approved by FISA for use in international competition.

Three grade options: Elite Plus, Club A, Club B: all sandwich construction. Stiffness and durability are critical in these flat-bottomed hulls, while keeping the weight manageable.

02 · Approximate Boat Weights

Three grades.
Three weights.

Approximate boat weights for the typical PARA configuration. Final weight depends on grade, configuration (PARA vs Recreational), and choice of parts (floats, seats, back supports).

If weight is an important point for you, please tell us your order details and we will guarantee the final boat weight for you.

Elite Plus Club A Club B
PR1 1x24 kg (53 lbs)25.5 kg (56 lbs)27 kg (59.5 lbs)
PR2 1x18.3 kg (40 lbs)19.5 kg (43 lbs)21.5 kg (47 lbs)
PR2 2x35 kg (77 lbs)37 kg (81.5 lbs)40.5 kg (89 lbs)

The above weights are based on a typical PARA setup with: floats, flat carbon seat and back support for PR1 1x; and flat carbon seats (no floats, no back supports) for PR2 1x and 2x.

The final weight of each boat depends upon the following:

GRADE

Elite Plus is the lightest, followed by Club A, then Club B.

  • Club A is approx. heavier than Elite Plus by 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) for 1s, 2 kg (4.4 lbs) for 2s.
  • Club B is approx. heavier than Club A by 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) for 1s, 3 kg (6.6 lbs) for 2s.
CONFIGURATION

The PARA version is heavier than the Recreational version due to floats and supports.

  • PARA 1s is approx. heavier than the Recreational version by 6 kg (13 lbs).
  • PARA 2s is approx. heavier than the Recreational version by 2 kg (4.4 lbs).
CHOICE OF PARTS

The above weights are based on a typical PARA set-up with:

  • Floats, flat carbon seat and back supports for 1x.
  • Flat carbon seats (no floats, no back supports) for 2x.
03 · Adaptive Boat Grades & Construction

Three grades.
One race-grade build.

Tap any grade for the full construction spec: hull, saxboards, canvas decks, and seat deck. All grades use sandwich construction with stiffening and reinforcing tuned to the boat's flat-bottomed adaptive geometry.

01 / Flagship

Elite Plus

For use in top-level competition.

Race Day
HullHoneycomb core with inner skin of mostly carbon cloth, outer skin of kevlar and carbon reinforcing.
SaxboardsHoneycomb core with inner skin of carbon cloth, outer skin of kevlar and carbon reinforcing.
Canvas DecksHoneycomb core with inner and outer skin of carbon.
Seat DeckClosed cell PVC foam core with inner skin of kevlar and outer skin of carbon.
02

Club A

Mainly for training purposes, although with only a small weight disadvantage over Elite Plus boats, can still be highly competitive.

HullCoremat core with inner skin of carbon and outer skin of kevlar, and carbon reinforcing.
SaxboardsHoneycomb core for 2s, closed cell PVC foam for 1s, with carbon and kevlar skins, and carbon reinforcing.
Canvas DecksHoneycomb core with inner skin of carbon and outer skin of kevlar.
Seat DeckClosed cell PVC foam core with inner skin of kevlar and outer skin of carbon.
03 / Workhorse

Club B

Built specifically for training purposes. Quite heavy, but great work horses, relatively easy to repair.

HullCoremat core with fibreglass skins.
SaxboardsHoneycomb core for 2s, 4s and 8s; closed cell foam for 1s, with fibreglass skins and carbon reinforcing.
Canvas DecksHoneycomb core with fibreglass skins.
Seat DeckClosed cell PVC foam core with fibreglass skins.
04 · Adaptive Rowing Rigging Guide

Pick oars and rigging
for the rower.

The following is our guide to choosing scull oars and deciding rigging for adaptive rowers, suitable for most adaptive rowers.

Rowers with a very short range of movement (such as Arms & Shoulders rowers) should have narrow rigger spans to help achieve a longer rowing stroke / arc. Range of movement is also determined by height, arm length and flexibility.

How gearing is calculated

Most adaptive rowers have little or no overlap (of handles). The Outboard measurement, total oar length minus inboard, when divided by inboard determines the level of gearing / loading (how heavy the stroke is/feels).

Example: if span is 140 cm, inboard will be around 70 cm.

  • With oars 260 cm long → outboard = 190 cm → gearing = 190/70 = 2.7
  • With oars 245 cm long → outboard = 175 cm → gearing = 175/70 = 2.5

Stronger and more experienced rowers can have higher gearing; beginners and weaker rowers need lower gearing to maximise performance and reduce injury.

Span (cm) Inboard Length (cm) Outboard (cm) Gearing
AS beginner130-140About ½ of span230-250160-1852.3-2.7
AS125-140About ½ of span240-270170-2002.5-3.2
TA beginner140-155About ½ of span245-270165-1902.3-2.5
TA135-155About ½ of span260-285180-2052.4-2.8
For Comparison
Sliding seat 1x157-16087-90286-291198-2022.2-2.3