Rowing, often referred to as crew in the United States, is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water. The sport can be both recreational, focusing on learning the techniques required, and competitive where overall fitness plays a large role. It is also one of the oldest Olympic sports.
Rowing Basics
While rowing, the athlete sits in the boat facing backwards (towards the stern), and uses the oars which are held in place by the oarlocks to propel the boat forward (towards the bow). This may be done on a river, lake, sea, or other large body of water. It is a demanding sport requiring strong core balance as well as physical strength and cardiovascular endurance.
Although the action of rowing and equipment used remains fairly consistent throughout the world, there are many different types of competition. These include endurance races, time trials, stake racing, bumps racing, and the side-by-side format used in the Olympic games. The many different formats are a result of the long history of the sport, its development in different regions of the world, and specific local requirements and restrictions.
There are two forms of rowing:
- In sweep or sweep-oar rowing, each rower has one oar, held with both hands. This can be done in pairs, fours and eights. Each rower in a sweep boat is referred to either as port or starboard, depending on which side of the boat the rower’s oar extends to.
- In sculling each rower has two oars (or sculls), one in each hand. Sculling is usually done without a coxswain, in quads, doubles or singles.
Rowing Commands and Terminology
Weigh enough = stop rowing
Hold water = drag your oar in the water as to slow the boat’s forward motion
“check it” = hold water
Set the boat = raise or lower the oar handle as to make sure the boat is level in the water (not leaning to one side)
Port = the side to the RIGHT of the rower. If your oar is on your right, you are a “port” rower.
Starboard = the side to the LEFT fo the rower. If your oar is on your left, you are a “starboard” rower.
Coxswain = The person at the back of the boat that steers and gives rowing commands
Sweep = a style of rowing where each rower holds only one oar
Sculling = a style of rowing where each rower holds two oars
Rigger = The part of the boat that holds the oarlock
Hatchet blades = the most modern type of oar that we row with, which is asymetrical in shape, and resembles a meat-cleaver.
Catch = the first part of the rowing stroke when the oar first enters the water.
Finish = the last part of the rowing stroke. Can also refer to the end of a race.
Bow = the front of the boat; also refers to the person sitting farthest forwards in the boat
Stern = the back of the boat; also refers to the rower sitting at the back of the boat.
Stroke = the person sitting at the back of the boat. All of the other rowers follow this rowers rythm.
Feather = moving the oar to a horizontal position so as to decrease air resistance. In some circles, this also refers to the covering on birds.
Square = the oar is in a vertical position, ready to enter the water and propel the boat forwards. Also refers to a shape with four sides, all of which are equal in length and are at rignt angles to each other.
Rushing = moving forwards too quickly after finishing a stroke
Rating = the number of strokes per minute that the crew is rowing at. Typically 18-24 SPM when cruising. Races can start as high as 40 SPM.
Full Pressure or Race Pressure = Pulling on the oar as hard as possible, as in a race.
Cox-Box = the electronic equipment that the coxwain uses to amplify his or her voice. It also provides information on the “rating.”
Bow Four = the four people sitting in the front of an 8-person boat, i.e. rowers #1,2,3, and 4. The rowers are numbered starting at the FRONT of the boat, which is BEHIND the rowers.
Stern 4 = the four people sitting in the REAR of an 8-person boat, i.e. rowers #5,6,7, and 8.
Bow Pair = Rowers 1 and 2
Stern Pair = rowers 7 and 8.
