ARE YOU NEW TO ROWING?
WHY ROWING?
POPULARITY
Rowing is the fastest growing sport in the United States at both the youth and collegiate level.
EASY TO LEARN
Most people in the United States do not start rowing until middle school or high school since rowing equipment sized for children is very rare. That means that everyone in this age group is starting at the about the same time. Teenage athletes who have not yet found their sport have the ability to excel in rowing within just a couple of years.
GLOBAL REACH
Rowing is a global sport with thriving rowing scenes in the Britain, France, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Argentina, Germany, Canada, South Africa, and many other countries.
Rewarding
Any rower will tell you that being a rower is one of the most defining experiences of their life. It builds self-confidence, fitness, self-reliance, and social skills. You will gain life long friends and a connection with every rower in the world.
About Rowing
Boat Basics
Although spectators will see hundreds of different races at a rowing event, there are only six basic boat configurations. Scullers row with two oars in singles (1x), doubles (2x) and quads (4x). Sweep rowers have only one oar and row in pairs (2s), fours (4s) and eights (8s). Sweep boats and quads may or may not carry a coxswain (cox'n), the person who steers the boat and serves as the on-the-water coach. In boats without coxswains, a rower may steer the boat by using a rudder moved with the foot.
Terminology
Shell - The racing boat. Shells come in configurations and sizes for single rowers, pairs, fours, and eights. They’re made of wood, fiberglass or lightweight carbon fiber. The smallest boat on the water is the single scull, which is only 27-30 feet long, a foot wide and weighs approximately 30 pounds. Eights are the largest boats at 60 feet and around 200 pounds.
Scull - A shell configured so that each rower uses two oars. This term is also used interchangeably when referring to the oars used in a sculling shell, the shell it self or the act of rowing a sculling shell. - Single: A scull for one rower. - Double: A scull for 2 rowers. - Quad: A scull for 4 rowers.
Sweep - A shell configured so that each rower has one oar. Oars on a sweep shell are normally alternated from side to side. - Pair: A sweep for two rowers. - Four: A sweep boat for 4 rowers. - Eight: A sweep boat for 8 rowers.
Bow - Front of the boat.
Stern - Back of the boat.
Port - Left side of the boat when facing bow
Starboard - Right side of the boat when facing bow.
Gunwale (pronounced "gunnel") - Side of the boat. Top section on the sides of a shell that runs along the sides of the crew section where the rowers are located. The riggers are secured to the gunwale with bolts.
Keel - The center line of the shell. The term refers to the extent to which the boat is balanced form side to side while rowing. A "good keel" is where the shell is rowed with little or no continual dipping to port or starboard.
Rudder - Steering device at the stern. The rudder is connected to cables (tiller ropes) that the coxswain uses to steer the shell.
Skeg (or fin) - A small fin located along the stern section of the hull. This helps to stabilize the shell in holding a true course while rowing. All racing shells have a skeg. The skeg should not be confused with the rudder.
Slides (or tracks) - Two tracks on which the seat moves. The seat moves forward and backwards on the slide, enabling to rower to "gather up" his or her body at the start of the stroke, and then use the combined power of the legs, back, and arms when actually executing the drive.
Foot Stretcher - An adjustable bracket in a shell to which the rower's feet are secured in attached sneakers or similar footwear.
Rigger - The device that connects the oarlock to the shell and is bolted to the body of the shell.
Oarlock - A U-shaped swivel which holds the oar in place. It is mounted at the end of the rigger and rotates around a metal pin.
Rigging - The adjustment and alteration of accessories (riggers, foot-stretchers, oar, etc.) in and on the shell. Examples of rigging adjustments that can be made are: the height of the rigger, location of the foot-stretchers, location and height of the oarlocks, location of the button (or collar) on the oar and the pitch of the blade of the oar.
Cox Box- A small electronic device that amplifies the coxswain's voice and gives a readout of important information such as stroke rate.
Speed Coach - A small electronic device that measures the speed of the boat and stroke rate.
Commands
Weigh 'nough - Actually sounds like “way-nuff”. This is the coxswain’s call to have all rowers stop rowing - the crew should finish the stroke in progress and stop rowing
Power 10 - A set of strokes when the crew makes an extra effort to "get everything on the oar" and make the shell go faster. Used in a race or in practice to try and get a tactical advantage on the other crews. Can also be power 15 or 20.
Back down (or "Back") - Row backwards.
Check it (or "Eight Check") - Same as "Hold water".
Hold water - Square the oar in the water to stop the boat.
Paddle - Row easy, i. e. no power on the stroke.
Quarter pressure - Next step up from "paddle". Half pressure is half way between "paddle" and the "full pressure". 3/4 pressure is halfway between "half pressure" and "full pressure". Rowers should be breathing hard but not out of breath at 3/4 pressure.
Full Pressure - the hardest you can row. Rowers should be out of breath when finishing rowing full pressure.
Ready all,row - The command to start rowing. Should be preceded by "From the finish" or "From the catch".
Safety Tips for Rowing
As the governing body for rowing in the United States, USRowing offers these tips, among other resources, for a safe rowing experience. Read more at the link below.
A safety launch tracks rowers as they come in from practice.
Utah Crew Sponsors
Interested in supporting Utah Crew?
Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant
The California Avenue Rowing Center was made possible in part by a grant from the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation.
Reagan Outdoor
Regan Outdoor is a generous supporter of Utah Crew, helping us spread the word and reach out to our community!
Become a sponsor
Become a sponsor of Utah Crew, and help us support youth athletes in Utah.
For more info, email info@utahcrew.org.
