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Types of Rowing
Rowing (Sweep Rowing)
Rowing (Sweep Rowing)
Rowing (Sweep Rowing)
Rowing (Sweep Rowing)
Oars: Each rower uses one oar, held with both hands.
Crew Size: Typically, rowers are in pairs (2+ or 2-), fours (4+ or 4-), or eights (8+).
Balance & Coordination: Requires strong teamwork, as rowers rely on each other to balance the boat.
Rower's Position: Rowers are assigned to port or starboard (left or right side), meaning they develop asymmetrical muscle use over time.
Sculling
Rowing (Sweep Rowing)
Rowing (Sweep Rowing)
Sculling
Oars: Each rower uses two oars, one in each hand.
Crew Size: Can be done solo (single scull), in pairs (double scull), or in fours (quad scull).
Balance & Independence: More even muscle development as both arms work equally; rowers must balance the boat themselves.
Symmetry: Sculling promotes symmetrical body development, reducing the risk of imbalances or injuries caused by one-sided rowing.
Types of crew
Single
All rowing solo is single sculling. Anyone who tried to row sweep with one oar would, if they didn't fall in, go round in circles
2 people
Sweep rowing - a pair
Sculling - a double.
4 people
4 people
Sweep rowing - a four
Sculling - a quad
These boats can be steered by the bowman (the one at the front) or a cox
8 people
8 people
4 people
Sweep rowing - an eight
Sculling - an octo - but these are only used for training; you won't see an octo racing
Coxed.
The Cox
8 people
The Cox
A great coxswain can make the difference between winning and losing. They turn a strong crew into a fast, efficient, and well-coordinated team, making them one of the most valuable members of a boat.
The cox is responsible for steering & navigation, race strategy & tactics, motivation & communication, technique & rhythm.
The cox is often seem as the leader of the boat.
Types of Racing
Head Races
Head races are long-distance rowing races, typically between 4 km and 8 km, held on rivers or large bodies of water. Unlike side-by-side regatta racing, boats start one at a time at intervals and race against the clock. The crew with the fastest time over the course wins.
At Bedford the river confines our Heads to being 2 km.
Boats start with a gap of 15 - 30 seconds between them so there is the opportunity to catch the boat in front of you and overtake it.
Often following a winding river with bridges and islands to navigate, the cox or bowman plays a huge part in steering the fastest course.
Crews must maintain a strong, sustainable rhythm for several kilometres with a gradual build towards the finish.
Head Races are run during the winter season.
Regattas
A rowing regatta is a side-by-side sprint race, typically covering 2000 meters for senior and elite-level competitions. Unlike head races, where boats race against the clock, regattas involve multiple boats racing directly against each other in elimination rounds, semi-finals, and finals to determine the winner.
A powerful explosive start is required to get the boat moving and keep ahead of your opposition.
Regattas are held during Summer.
Types of Oars
Oar Evolution
There is nothing quite as intimidating as walking into a new environment and not knowing the lingo. On this page we hope that we've given you enough information to give you confidence to speak with some authority about our sport.
This is the final piece - the tool we all use to power the boats through the water.
You'll use the Cleaver everyday when rowing at the club; you'll see Macons on the balcony and you'll spot a couple of Square oars celebrating historic victories on the walls.
Finally: when is an oar not an oar? When it's a scull. So the oar used in Sweep rowing is called an Oar, but the oar used in sculling is called a Scull.
What can go wrong?