Rowing Basics:

There are two ways to row - sweep and sculling. In sweep rowing each rower controls one "sweep" oar. In order to steer effectively there are two rowers (or multiples of two) - one with an oar on the starboard side (the right side if you are facing forward...which of course you are not when rowing) and one with an oar on the port (left) side. With sculling, each rower (sculler) controls two smaller oars (called sculls), one on each side.

Of the sweep-oared boats, there are pairs (2 rowers), fours (4 rowers), and eights (8 rowers), all of which can be steered by a coxswain (cox), but the pair and four also appear as un-coxed boats. In the case of the "coxless" pair and four, they typically have a "toe-steering" rudder attached to a sliding shoe.

Of the sculling boats, there is the single (1 sculler), double (2 scullers), and quad (4 scullers) scull - none of which traditionally has a cox. The quad often has a "toe-steer" mechanism used in the coxless pairs and fours. Our doubles often have them as well since those boats also get rigged as pairs.

Anatomy of the Rowing Stroke:

There are 4 distinct parts of the rowing stroke which, ideally, flow seamlessly one to another. The drive is when the oar is being driven through the water by the force of the rower's body upon it. The recovery is when the oar is out of the water being readied for the next stroke. The catch is the beginning of the drive when the oar contacts the water. The finish is the end of the drive when the oar is released from the water.

Play the clip below to see the basic stroke and the appropriate body positioning for the most efficient and powerful effect.

Want to know more? Click here to explore the technical and physiological aspects of rowing.