Crew: Competitive Sport Rowing

Sport rowing is a power sport that uses oars to move a boat through water as quickly as possible. The power is supplied by the rowers, and sport rowing demands excellent cardiovascular and muscular conditioning. There are two types of competitive sport rowing: sweeping and sculling. Both use fast, light sport rowing shells, but they differ in how they use the oars and steer the boat.

An oar is a simple lever. In canoeing and kayaking, the oar is a paddle, one end of the lever. Your hands are the fulcrum and your arm is the other end of the lever. A rowboat fixes the oar in an oarlock. Now the oarlock is the fulcrum. The power end of the lever is the length of your arm plus the distance to the oarlock. In sport rowing, the oarlocks are placed on outriggers. This extends the power arm even further, giving you the ability to move more water with each stroke and go faster.

Sweeping

In sweeping, or sweep rowing, each team member handles one oar, using both hands. This doubles the amount of power that can be applied to each oar. Sweep teams usually have a coxswain, who steers the shell with a rudder and encourages the other team members. Teams have 2, 4 or 8 rowing members and are designated as 2+ (two rowers and a coxswain) or 2- (two rowers and no coxswain).

Sculling

In sculling, each team member handles a pair of oars, and there is rarely a coxswain. Teams have 1,2,4 or 8 members and are designated as 2X or 4X.

Competitive sport rowing requires top physical conditioning and precise team work. It's an elegant sport to watch, and a rigorous sport to compete in.