If you think skimming aerodynamically over water under your own muscle power would be a blast, then rowing is for you. It's all about balance, timing and teamwork.
Slipping into a boat and pulling water solo or with friends develops muscle power, endurance and great friendships. Rowing is a fun way to get to know yourself and others!
ABOUT ROWING
Boats are propelled through the water by pulling on one oar (sweeping) or by pulling on two oars (sculling). All major muscle groups are used, and the constant effort produces an excellent cardiovascular workout. In addition to the physical benefits of the sport, you can still hang out with friends, since rowers must learn to 'pull together' in crews of two, four or eight (when they are not in a single shell).
“Fun Fact: Men's Olympic Rowing dates from 1896 (the first modern Olympics), women's from 1976 and lightweight's from 1996.”
TYPES OF BOATS
BOATS (or "shells" as they're often called) were once made from wood, but are now mostly fabricated from carbon fibre and plastic. They can be as large as
62.2 cm wide and 19.9 m long – that's longer than the distance between a baseball pitcher and a catcher! A small fin at the bottom increases stability, and seats inside the shell are fitted with wheels that roll on tracks called slides. The oars are hollow to lighten the load.
SCULLING BOATS Rowers of these boats generate power facing backwards, while pulling with one oar in each hand. They rely on the steady eye of their bow rower to guide them forward. These shells can carry 1–4 synced-up rowers and range in size from 8.2 m up to 13.7 m.
SWEEP-OARED BOATS Also facing backwards, participants use their single oar to pull the boat forward. They rely on a coxswain to steer them. Up to eight people fit in these vessels, which can be built up to almost 20 m in length.
“Fun Fact: An eight is about 20 m long, but only weighs about 100 kg.”
POSITIONS ON A BOAT/SKILLS
SWEEP ROWER Use both your hands – one oar per rower. You can row in a pair, a four or an eight.
SCULLER Use both your hands – two oars per rower. You can row in a pair, a four or an eight.
COXWAIN The person steering. Fours and eights are so big that the rowers need someone to steer the boat for them. It's best that you have a light body to reduce the weight and a big voice to root on your teammates.
ROWING STROKE
Catch – Putting your oar in water.
Drive – Pushing your legs down and pulling with your arms.
Finish – Removing your oar from water.
Recovery – Sliding back to the catch.
COXING - Keeping the boat straight and giving the crew instructions.
“Fun Fact: Most Ontario rowing clubs have learn-to-row sessions for kids and teens.”
WHEN DID IT ALL START?
It's hard to believe these days, but rowing used to be only for work! The ancient Vikings, Greeks and Romans built massive ships powered by rowers to command the seas, explore new lands and trade with each other. In cities with rivers, rowers acted as ferrymen carrying goods and people from one side to the other. About 150 years ago, when people started to have more time for recreation, they discovered that rowing could actually be FUN! Clubs and races were organized, the sport was developed and it is now enjoyed by males and females of all ages all over the world.
“Fun Fact: Canada has had rowing medallists in each of the last four Olympic Summer Games.”
ROWING TERMS
BOW
The front of the boat (first part of the boat across the finish line)
BOWMAN
The rower in the bow of the boat
GUNWALE
Or 'gunnel', the top edge of the side of the boat
OARLOCK
Lets the oar pivot on the rigger
PORT
Right side of the boat (from the rower’s perspective)
SHELL
Another term for a rowing boat
SLIDE
The tracks on which the rolling seat moves
STROKE
The rower who sits in the stern seat of the boat
RIGGER
The metal wing on which the oars rest
STERN
The back of the boat (last part of the boat across the finish line)
STARBOARD
Left side of the boat (from the rower’s perspective)
