skip navigation

Boats +

Sculling Boats
 

Single (1x): Seats one rower, utilizes the sculling style of rowing (one oar in each hand), and does not seat a coxswain (See the On The Water section of the Practice FAQ for more on coxswains).

Double (2x): Seats two rowers, no coxswain, and employs the sculling style to row.

Quad (4x): Seats four rowers, no coxswain, and employs sculling style.

Sweep Boats
 

Pair (2-): Seats two rowers, no coxswain, and rowers use sweep-style rowing (each rower uses one oar).

Four (4+): Seats four rowers and a coxswain, and rowers use sweep-style rowing. 

Straight Four (4-): Same as a four boat but does not seat a coxswain.

Eight (8+): Seats eight rowers and a coxswain, and rowers use sweep-style rowing.

Sculling vs Sweeping

Athletes with two oars -- one in each hand -- are scullers.  Athletes with only one oar are sweep rowers.  The vast majority of the rowing at TRC is sweep rowing in pairs, fours, and eights.

Getting to know the boat

When you're first introduced to rowing, much of the terminology and descriptions related to the sport can sound like a foreign language. The following diagram provides an introduction to some of the names and terms, but check out Rowing Terms for a deeper dive into the world of rowing.


The Stroke

The whole body is involved in moving a shell through the water. Although rowing tends to look like an upper-body sport, the strength of the rowing stroke comes from the legs.

The stroke is made up of four parts: Catch, Drive, Finish, and Recovery.

The Catch
As the stroke begins, the rower is coiled forward on the sliding seat, with knees bent and arms outstretched. At the catch, the athlete drops the oar blade vertically into the water.

The Drive
At the beginning of the drive, the body position doesn't change; all the work is done by the legs. As the upper body begins to uncoil, the arms begin their work, drawing the oar blades through the water. Continuing the drive, the rowers move their hands quickly into the body, which by this time is in a slight "layback" position, requiring strong abdominal muscles.

The Finish
During the finish, the oar handle is moved down, drawing the oar blade out of the water. At the same time, the rower "feathers" the oar, turning the oar handle so that the oar blade changes from a vertical position to a horizontal one.  Also known as the "Release".

The Recovery
The oar remains out of the water as the rower begins recovery, moving the hands away from the body and past the knees. The body follows the hands and the sliding seat moves forward, until, knees bent, the rower is ready for the next catch.