Rowing: What is it?

Simple Racing Terms

   

Crew: The people who sail or operate a ship or boat; a group of friend or acquaintances who join together to row

 

Coxswain:  The steersman of a racing shell; aka the person who tells us what to do and steers us on the best course  

 

Oar: We row with oars not paddles!

 

Shell:      Long, narrow boats, usually made of carbon fiber and varying in size based on the crew they carry.  Different boats are made for 1, 2, 4, and 8 rowers.  Most 4 and 8 person shells have room in the stern for a coxswain. Shells contain foot stretchers to hold rower's feet in place and sliding seats so that rowers can take the fullest possible stroke.
 

Head Race: Boats approach the starting line and are called to advance and start the race based on their designated bow number.  Intervals of about 10 seconds are used to space out the boats along the course.  As they travel the course of the race, boats can pass other slower boats or be passed by faster boats.  The winner is not determined by who crossed the finish line first, but rather by which boat makes it from start to finish in the shortest amount of time.  Head races are normally held in the fall.

  

Sprint Race: A sprint can involve a single race, or a number of heats.  In each race boats line up at stake boats that mark the beginning of the race.  Unlike a head race all boats start at the same time, leaving the line on the starters command.  Boats are to stay in their own lane and proceed down the length of the course which is usually 1000 to 2000 meters or so.  The first boat to cross the finish line is the winner.  Spring races are usually held in the spring and summer.

 

Ergometers (Ergos): A rowers greatest adversary.  When rowers aren't training on the water they often practice with these indoor rowing machines that track their pace and progress.  While races test a rower, many crew members pride themselves in their 2k scores (the time it takes them to row 2000 meters on an ergo).