Rowing for First-Timers

What is the difference between sweeping and sculling?

Sweep rowing is when each rower in a boat has only one oar, held with both hands. Sweeping is the style of rowing used in eights, fours, and pairs. Sculling is when each rower has two smaller oars in both of their hands, and is typically a style seen in small boats such as singles, doubles, and quads. 

Do I need to be tall and fit to join?

Nope! We never want new rowers to be discouraged to join the sport on the basis of their height or level of athleticism. Strength, technique, and power all come with practice and training!

What is a novice rower?

Novices are first-year rowers.

What is an erg?

Rowing on the ergometer (“erg”) is the most fundamental method of training for a rower. Made of a slide, flywheel, screen, and handle, an erg is the closest thing a rower has to mimicking a workout on the water, all while remaining indoors. Erging and erg tests are how rowers track their strength and progress.

What do port, starboard, bow, and stern mean?

When facing the front, or “bow” of a boat, “port” represents the left side of the boat’s orientation and “starboard”, respectively, represents the right. The back of the boat is the “stern”. Because rowers only hold one oar while sweeping, they have an assigned “side”, port or starboard, also known as their position. Because rowers are seated facing the coxswain with their backs to the bow, a rower must learn that their position is the opposite of the front-facing orientations of left and right (a port rower, for example, will have an oar facing the right instead of the left).

How should I dress to go rowing?

Avoid wearing loose clothing to row in, such as basketball shorts or long t-shirts. Spandex or leggings and a bright-colored top that allows for arm mobility are ideal in the sport of rowing.

How quick will I pick up on all the rowing terminology?

Very, very quick!

Is learning to row difficult?

Learning to row is a long, continuous process that requires patience, training, and tons of practice… which is why we do tons of training and practice!

What is the difference between head racing and sprint racing?

Head races are fall rowing competitions, while sprint races are spring events. In head racing, boats compete against the clock on a 5km course with staggered starts. In head races, coxswains must steer around other boats, or yield to a passing boat, in order to avoid penalties. Sprint racing occurs on a short, 2km course, where upwards of 6-8 boats are lined up next to one another to race at the same time. 

What are erg tests?

Erg tests are periodically held throughout the year in both the racing and winter seasons to track how effectively a rower is improving. The distance of erg tests typically correspond with their racing season, for example, an erg test in the fall will likely be 5km, and 2km in the winter and spring. They are commonly competitive between teammates, as erg tests also aid coaches in keeping track of which rower belongs where in a boat.

What are the different boat sizes?

In sweeping, the main three boat sizes are eights, fours, and pairs. As the name suggests, eights hold eight rowers (and a coxswain), fours hold four, and pairs hold two. In sculling, the main three boat sizes are quads, doubles, and singles (four, two, and one rower in each, respectively).