Rowing shells are made out of carbon fiber because it is durable and lightweight.

Boats used in Rowing Competitions

There are two types of boats in rowing, Sculls, where each rower will have two oars and Sweep boats where each rower will have one oar. 2 to 8 rowers row sculls, however a single person rows a skiff, which is also a scull.

Scull Boats

Single Scull [1x] – A Single Scull is a sculling boat, which can only accommodate one rower. It is 26.9 feet long and weighs 30.8 pounds .

Double Scull Coxless [2x] – A Double Scull is a sculling boat that seats two rowers. It is 34.1 feet long and weighs 59.4 pound.

Quadruple Scull Coxless [4x] – A Quadruple Scull is a sculling boat that has a four-person crew, without a coxswain. It is 43.9 feet long and weighs 114.4 pounds.

Quadruple Scull Coxed [4x+] – A Quadruple Scull is a sculling boat that has a four-person crew, with a coxswain. It is 44.9 feet long and weighs 112.2 pounds.

Sweep Boats

Coxless Pair [2-] – A Coxless Pair is a sweep boat that seats two rowers. It is 34.1 feet long and weighs 59.4 pound.

Coxed Pair [2+] – A Coxed Pair is a sweep boat that seats two rowers. It is 34.1 feet long and weighs 70.4 pound.

Coxless Four [4-] - A Coxless Four is a sweep boat that has a four-person crew without a coxswain. Sometimes referred to as a Straight Four. It is 43.9 feet long and weighs 110 pounds.

Coxed Four [4+] – A Coxed Four is a sweep boat that has a four-person crew, which is with a coxswain. It is 44.9 feet long and weighs 112.2 pounds.

Coxed Eight [8+] – A Coxed Eight is a sweep boat that has an eight-person crew, which has a coxswain. It is 65.2 feet long and weighs 211.2 pounds.

Oars

In the past Oars were made of wood and they had a symmetrical blade. But today Oars, like rowing shells, are made out of carbon fiber and they have asymmetrical blades and they are also hollow in order to reduce weight. The average length of sweep oar is 12.4 feet long. The Oars for sculls are not as long at 9.7 feet. The blades on the Sweep Oars are very thin, the blade required must have a minimum thickness of five millimeters. Scull Oars are allowed to be as thin as 3 millimeters at the edge.

Crew Clothing

Most rowers will wear a tank top jersey and shorts. The jersey will have the colors of the country they are from, or the team or club they are rowing for.

Boat Equipment

Below is a list of the equipment you will find on rowing shells.

Backstops: The point the seat (slide) stops moving forward toward the bow.

Boot: This device holds the boat bow in place before the start of the race, and then releases the boat and drops below the water when the starting signal goes off.

Bow Ball: This is a white plastic or rubber ball that is attached to the bow tip of a shell. It is used in helping to determine a winner in photo finishes and it also helps to protect the bow of the boat against damage in case a ramming occurs.

Bucket: This is system of rigging the shell where two rowers, who are sitting one in front of the other, row from the same side of the shell.

Button: A collar that is put around the shaft of the oar so that it will not slip through the oarlock and into the water. The button can be moved up and down the oar, in order to increase or decrease leverage.

Canvas: This refers to the narrow part in the bow and stern of a shell. It can also mean to win a race just by the length of the bow or stern.

Card: Each shell or boat has a card, which has the number of the craft. The card is attached to the bow of the boat.

Deck: The areas at the bow and stern of a shell.

Foot Stretchers: These are attached to the bottom of the boat and it is where the rower rest their feet so they will not move when he / she is rowing. Rowerís shoes are usually attached to the foot stretchers.

Frontstops: The point the seat (slide) stops moving back toward the stern.

Gate: This is a bar across the oarlock that prevents the oar from coming out of the oarlock. It can be removed to take out or put oars in the oarlock.

German Rig: This is an type of oar arrangement whereby two consecutive rowers, in an eight man boat, usually the fourth and fifth rowers, have their oars on the same side of a shell while the rest of the oarsmen alternate their oars left and right.

Gunwale: The upper edge of the shell. This is a strip of wood that runs the length of a shell.

Italian Rig: This is a type of oar arrangement whereby all the rowers, except the rowers on each end, are rowing in pairs on alternating sides of the shell.

Oarlock: The structure on a boat’s gunwale that supports the oar. It is attached to the pin at the end of the outrigger. It is also sometimes called a swivel.

Outrigger: This is a metal structure, which is used to support the oarlock. This is also sometimes called a rigger.

Pin: There is a metal rod that the oarlock is supported by.

Pivoting Shoe: This is the mechanism that allows a rower to steer the shell when there is no coxswain.

Rib: This is a U-shaped piece of molded wood, aluminum or carbon fiber that gives support to the hull. The Ribs are placed between the keel and the gunwale.

Rigging: The arrangement of the riggers (oars and rowers) and stretchers in a shell.

Rudder: A rudder is usually made of steel and it is located in the stern of the boat, it is in the water and is used to steer the boat.

Skeg: This is a small flat piece, usually made of plastic but it can be wood, which is fastened vertically to the bottom of the shell near the stern. This is used to help the shell stay on course. It is also known as a fin.

Sleeve: This is a jacket on the shaft of an oar where the button is placed and it is used to fasten the blade to the oarlock.

Slide: This is the seat where the oarsmen sit. It gets its name because it slides along the bottom of the shell to help the oarsmen get more power into their stroke.

Splashguard: Located toward the bow of the shell, helps to keep water out of the shell.

Stays: This is the metal tube that is part of a rigger.

Tiller Ropes: These are ropes that are used by the coxswain to control the rudder.

Toe: This means to use a foot-controlled rudder.

Race Courses

There is equipment required to hold a rowing regatta and below is a list of this equipment.

The Starting Docks is where the boats start the race from and it is also where the aligners are stationed when holding the shells in place.

There is a Starting Zone that covers the first 100 meters of the race and within this zone, and only in this zone, can a race be stopped due to problems. Starting Zone Buoys are Red and are 5 meters apart.

In addition to Starting Zone Buoys there are Course Buoys, which are white, green or yellow and they mark the middle of the course, they begin right after the first 100 meters and the end right before the last 250 meters. And then we have Finish Zone Buoys, which mark the final 250 meters of the course and like the Starting Zone Buoys they are yellow in color.

There are 6-7 Lanes, which is one for each boat that is in a race. Boats are required to stay in their lanes during a race. The two outer lanes are 16 feet (5 meters) in from the sides of the pool or course. The width of the lanes 13 meters.

There are Red Markers that are placed outside of the pool or course at 500-meter intervals.

A boat has finished the race when the bow of the boat passes over the finish line. 20 meters past the finsh line is anouther set of buoys called clearing buoys. Row through them.

At some events aFloating Dock near the finish line will be where medals are awarded. There should also be Grand Stands to allow spectators to view the races.

Officials

The Starter will first call out “Attention” they will the call out “Are you ready?” and then they will raise a red flag and then quickly lower it while at the same moment saying “Go”.

Aligners are the people who layout on the starting dock and hold the rowing shells in place until the race starts. They will raise a white flag when all of the shells are lined up correctly.

The Alignment Judge is responsible for ensuring that all of the shells are lined up in a correct manner at the start of a race.

The Finish Line Judge will be in charge of the floating dock.

There are two Finish Judges and if the race is to close to call, they look at the picture that is taken at the finish and rule on which boat was the first to cross the finish line.

There are Safety Officials who are stationed along the side of the course or pool and have at their disposal a powerboat, diving equipment and other safety equipment in case they need to assist a crew that is having problems.

An Umpire follows the shells in a powerboat and they will signal with a Red Flag when a boat is out of its lane and is therefore disqualified and they will hold up a White Flag to signal the race is progressing normally and no violations have occurred.

AGES: 12-18 year old boys and girls (NO experience needed)

DATES: Session #1: June 6-June 16, Monday-Thursday ONLY (8 days total), 8:30-11:30am
*and/or*
Session #2: July 25-Aug. 4, Monday – Thursday ONLY (8 days total), 8:30-11:30am

COST: $200 per 8-day session

LOCATION: ORRA Boathouse: 697 Melton Lake Dr., Oak Ridge, 37830

MORE INFO: If your son or daughter is 12-18 years old and would like to try rowing, we offer two 8-day summer rowing camps for East Tennessee youth…choose the dates that work best for you, or attend both! This beginner camp is an introduction to rowing that will focus on having fun while learning basic rowing skills and essentials of training, with video feedback/instruction to supplement on-the-water coaching. NO PRIOR ROWING EXPERIENCE IS NEEDED, however, all camp participants MUST be able to swim. Space is limited. Participation in the Summer Camp is encouraged, but not mandatory for those who are thinking about joining the Atomic rowing team in the future. Just wear comfortable shorts (boys–try to avoid super long basketball style shorts that might get caught in the equipment), t-shirt or tank-top, sneakers, and a water bottle. If you have long hair, you will want to pull it back into a ponytail or barrette. Be sure to wear sunscreen! Some folks also like to row in a hat or sunglasses on bright days (optional).

HOW DO I SIGN UP? You MUST register online for the Atomic Summer Camp…here’s how! :
1) Look for the “Registration” section on this webpage—just above this section. Under “Summer Programs”, Click on either the “Summer Novice Day Camp” Session 1 or Session 2 (whichever session you would like to sign up for).
2) Under “New Users”, enter the necessary information and click ‘next’.
3) By “Participant”, click “New Person” and enter your child’s name.
4) By “Club/Affiliation”, Click “New Affiliation”, then type in “Atomic Rowing” in the “Team or Club” box. The Atomic Rowing Logo should pop up–click it! “Atomic Rowing”, then click Next part of this page.
5) Click “Proceed to check out. On the next page, enter your address, rowers’ info; then click ‘next’.
6) You may pay by Credit Card online; or select Check Payment (Make checks payable to ‘ORRA’ and write [your child's name] and SUMMER CAMP in the note/memo section) and drop it off the first day of camp or mail to the boathouse; or pay by Paypal. After payment you have completed the online portion of registration!
7) YOU’RE ALMOST DONE! We just need you to print off a Consent Form at this website: http://www.orra.org/candr.pdf and bring it with you the first day of camp.

There are Division 1, Division 2, Division 3, and Club rowing programs. Many are in their building stages. Others have been around for 100 years. Note: Due to Title IX many women’s college club teams became NCAA sports with a scholarship budget. Most men’s programs are club sports, and do not offer scholarships, but some do!

Remember first choose a school for its academics before you commit to an athletic program.

Here is a time line that will help you through the college recruitment process. You can also attend a USRowing recruiting seminar or fair for more information.

Fall of Junior Year

• After September 1st of a rower’s junior year coaches can begin sending letters, information, and emails, however, they cannot talk to rowers and families.
• Complete the NCAA requirements.
• When registering for the SAT or ACT, select the Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse as one of the institutions to which the test scores should be sent (code 9999).
• Post your scores at www.usrowing.org, berecruited.com, irow.com, concept2.com.

Winter of Junior Year

• Work hard during winter training.
• Attend indoor rowing championships such as the TN Indoor Rowing Championships and Crash B’s in Boston.
• Update your scores at www.usrowing.org, berecruited.com, irow.com, concept2.com.
• Get noticed: email coaches, send letter of interest, fill out online recruiting forms, request materials, show enthusiasm for participation in the program. Give your name, address, phone number, and email address.

• Attend a USRowing Junior Identification Camp held in your region.
• Sign-up for summer rowing camps.
• Put together a rowing resume and send to coaches. Include contact information, rowing qualifications, experience, scores, height, weight, academic qualifications, other activities, internships, etc.
• Make a rowing video and send to coaches – coaches like to see technique (can be done during a practice). Some schools want video of an erg test. See your coach to set this up.
• Update your scores at www.usrowing.org, berecruited.com, irow.com, concept2.com.

Summer of Senior Year

• Attend rowing camps (private, collegiate, US Rowing Invitational, Select).
• Prepare college entrance applications.
• Beginning July 1st after completing the junior year in school, coaches may make one telephone call per week, rower can call coach at any time.
• Update your scores at www.usrowing.org, berecruited.com, irow.com, concept2.com.

Fall of Senior Year

• Make a short list of colleges you want to seriously consider.
• Schedule and attend official visits. Beginning September 1st of rower’s senior year, the rower may make an official visit (1 per college – 5 colleges total) and college pays expenses of the visit. Official visits may not last more than 24 hours on campus, transportation not usually covered, parents’ expenses not covered. SAT or ACT scores must be on file unless already filed with NCAA clearinghouse, schedule time to see a team practice. No more than three visits during the recruiting process are allowed with the coach.
• Rower can make unofficial school visits to campus at any time, coach can meet with rower if it is after July 1st.
• Letters of Recommendation – See you guidance counselor for an appropriate timeline for college recommendations. Ask your coach far in advance if they would be willing to write a letter of recommendation for you.
• Receive scholarship offers. Negotiate scholarships if possible (don’t be too pushy).
• Decide which college/university you will attend.
• Make a verbal commitment to school, sign letter of intent (binding contract).

Winter of Senior Year

• Fill out and send in financial aid applications using parents’ tax forms.
• Work hard during winter training.
• Spring of Senior Year
• Continue to work hard. Coaches will be in touch with your school and your coach making sure you stay on track.

Since 1978 the fourth weekend in April, when the dogwood trees are in full bloom, ORRA has sponsored the annual Dogwood Regatta. Due to Easter falling on our traditional weekend in 2011 the regatta will be held one weekend later .  The Dogwood Regatta has events for youth, collegiate and master athletes. ORRA hopes you enjoy a great weekend of rowing.

Regatta Date: Saturday April 30th and Sunday May 1st, 2011.

Location: Melton Hill Lake, 697 Melton Lake Drive, Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Regatta Director: Allen Eubanks, Telephone (865) 482-6538, Email coach@orra.org; mail: 697 Melton Lake Drive, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830

ORRA Dogwood Social: On Sunday, we would like to invite you to join ORRA for lunch/early dinner on the venue so that we can have some time to meet and socialize with our neighbors in the rowing community. The lunch will cost $ 15.00, drinks will be provided (beer for the adults). Food will be served starting at 12:00 PM until two hours after the last race. Please RSVP when you register on Regatta Central.

Traveling to Oak Ridge is convenient along several main north/south interstates. Oak
Ridge is located 10 hours from 1/3rd of the general rowing population of the United
States.

The average daily temperature in March is 63 degrees during the day and 43 degrees
at night. However, the weather during spring can vary a lot from the average. We have
known snow flurries in March as well as weeks in the high 70s. Our mild climate and
constant water temperatures insures that the Clinch River never freezes. The lake
winds through several hilly areas with rock bluffs so that there is always a sheltered
part of the river when it is windy. The course is usually the most protected part of the
river.

Melton Hill Lake is a 50 mile-long, current controlled reservoir on the Clinch River in the
foothills of the Cumberland Mountains of East Tennessee. There are 10 miles of water
upstream from the boathouse and 26 miles of water downstream suitable for rowing.
The lake is about 10 rowing lanes wide and runs through farm country for most of its
distance. ORRA maintains a permanently marked 2000-meter straight course (at least
7 lanes wide) with distance markers at the start, 500, 1000, 1500 meters and finish line.
There is little motorboat traffic in March and little or no commercial boat traffic.
ORRA has a full time employee and member volunteers to assist visiting crews with
any questions or problems that may arise.

New for 2012 is the Oak Ridge Invitational a Division 1 college invitational regatta held
during the spring training. More details to follow.

COST: Spring Training Dock fees are $3.00 per athlete/day. Launches are avaiable
upon request.

The Oak Ridge Rowing Association is excited to offer several ways for adults to get involved with the wonderful sport of rowing. It’s more than a pastime and one of the world’s best workouts. Rowing has often been equated to cross-country skiing as the best all around total body exercise, working the aerobic system, legs, back, core, as well as the upper body. Rowing is a non-impact sport — good for your knees and other joints. Rowing is done with two different boat types (sweep boats and sculls) and both are taught in our learn-to-row or learn-to-scull classes. Our classes are designed for people with no experience, but are also a good refresher for someone who has been away from the sport for a while. Some rowers row recreationally for fun and excersise, while others like to enter races and compete. You can find the spot that’s right for you.

Sweep Rowing- The “long skinny” boats that you often see in movies, sweep boats are 8, 4 or 2 person shells with each person using one long oar to help move the boat through the water. A coxswain is used in these boats to help steer and coordinate the crew.

Sculling- Smaller, often individual sculling boats are 4, 2, or 1 person boats with each rower using two oars.  Rowers not only pry the boat along with their oars but also steer with added pressure on one side or the other to keep the boat on course.  

Equipment-Boats range from the 58 foot long 8 person sweep boat to the smaller 21 foot single.  Boats are called “shells” and are very lightweight for their size.  Oars are made of fiberglass or carbon fiber and are also very light.

Oak Ridge Rowing offers Masters Rowing Programs that follow Learn-to-Row. “Masters” are adults who row either competitively or recreationally. Many people new to the sport do not realize the word “master” refers only to the age of the rower and is not an indication of one’s rowing prowess.

Program fees do not include regatta entry fees, uniforms, and travel or food expenses. The ORRA Treasurer will invoice participants for the program fees prior to beginning of each season or session.

Students will not be allowed on the water until required paperwork, waivers and fees are paid. The exceptions are Youth Novice rowers, who have a two week try-out period before payment is due.

Travel fees
Travel fees include regatta entry fees, equipment transportation, participant transportation, and food.

Atomic (Youth) rowing collects travel and uniform fees at the beginning of each season. This cost varies each season based on travel schedule.

Atomic Rowing has three types of travel events “Scheduled”, “Select” and “Qualified”. Participants who choose not to attend a regatta or choose not to travel on the club-provided itinerary must send an e-mail to the Head Coach at least 3 weeks in advance. Verbal or other notification is not acceptable. The Head Coach may elect to allow an exception unless expenses have already been incurred by the club.

Scheduled events: All Atomic athletes are assumed to be attending all these regattas and will be charged at the beginning of each season. Scheduled event travel costs are non-refundable even if the athlete elects not to travel to the event. These events include but are not limited to Chattanooga Head Race, John Hunter Regatta, Secret City Head Race and the Dogwood Regatta.

Select events: Athletes that are chosen for Select events will be assessed additional travel charges. These events include but are not limited to San Diego Crew Classic, Southeast Youth Championship.

Qualified events: Athletes that qualify for “QUALIFIED” regattas have earned will be assessed additional travel charges. These events include but are not limited to USRowing Youth National Championship and the Head of the Charles.

Payment Options

The best method for payment is through Regatta Central. Using Regatta Central, you may pay by check or credit card.

Check payments
When registering on Regatta Central, choose “print invoice” and send this invoice in with your check. Make checks payable to ORRA for the fee dues. To assist with the record-keeping please write your name and the purpose in the memo space. Please put check payments into locked the Treasurer’s Box on the wall outside of the office.

Returned checks
Checks that are returned to ORRA for insufficient funds or other reasons will be charged a $25.00 fee.

Installments
Installment payments (50% at registration, and the balance in two payments over the next two months) may only be made if ORRA has a signed Payment Agreement Form. Payment Agreement forms may be obtained by e-mailing the ORRA Treasurer.

Fee Credits

Summer Novice Camp Credit
If you attended Novice Summer Camp and sign up for this fall season, you will receive a $50 credit toward your fees.

Referral Credit
Varsity and Junior Varsity athletes can earn a $50.00 credit for referring an athlete that registers and pays to be part of Atomic Rowing. You can earn credit for up to three athletes (maximum of $150.00 in credits). New Novice rowers who attended Summer Novice Camp are not eligible for the referral credit program.

Refunds
Participants that withdraw from a program two weeks prior to the start date can receive a full refund.

Withdrawal due to injury or illness may be eligible for credit, if approved by the Atomic Head Coach and the ORRA board of directors. Any rule violation will result in immediate dismissal without refund. Crediting athletes for future seasons due to unforeseen circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Scholarships
The Club has a limited number of need-based scholarships which are funded by both the Atomic Boosters and the Board. Scholarship applications must be received by the ORRA Treasure prior to the first two weeks of the program start date.