THE SPORT

In all boats, each rower is numbered in sequential order, low numbers at the bow, up to the highest at the stern. The first seat is called the bowman, or 'bow', the closest to the stern is called the 'strokeman' or 'stroke'. Athletes sit in the boat facing backwards (towards the stern), and use the oars (held in place by oarlocks) to propel the boat forward (towards the bow). Rowing differs from canoeing or kayaking because the oars are held in place at a pivot point.

Two forms of rowing:
• Sweep or Sweep-oar rowing, each rower has one oar, held in both hands. This is done in pairs, fours and eights. Each rower in a sweep boat is referred to either as "port" (aka "strokeside") or "starboard" (aka "bowside"), depending on which side of the boat the rower's oar extends to.

• In Sculling each rower has two oars (one in each hand). "Sculling" is usually done in doubles, quadruples, or singles without a coxswain. The oar the right hand is to the port side, and the oar in the left hand is to starboard.

THE CREW

In an 8+ boat, the stern pair are responsible for setting the stroke rate and rhythm for the rest of the boat to follow. The middle four (sometimes called the "engine room") are usually the less technical, but more powerful rowers in the crew, while the bow pair is the more technical, set up the balance of the boat and have the most influence on the line the boat steers.

The rudder is controlled by the cox, if present, or by one of the crew with a the rudder cable is attached to the toe of one of their shoes which can pivot about the ball of the foot, moving the cable left or right. Single and double sculls are steered by the scullers pulling harder on one side or the other.

TYPES OF RACES

Regattas are usually in the spring/summer and feature side by side racing. All the boats start at the same time from a stationary position and the winner is the boat that crosses the finish line first. The number of boats varies between two (which is sometimes referred to as a 'dual race') to six, but any number of boats can start together if the course is wide enough.

Standard length for races is 2,000 m long. However the race distance can and does vary from 'dashes' or 'sprints', which may be 500 m long. In general, multi-boat competitions are organized in a series of rounds, with the fastest boats in each heat qualifying for the next round. The losing boats from each heat may be given a second chance to qualify through a repechage.

Head races are time trial/processional races that take place from fall to early spring. Boats begin with a rolling start at intervals of 10-20 seconds, and are timed over a set distance. Head courses vary in length from 2,000 m to 12,000 m, though there are longer races such as the Boston Rowing Marathon.

TRAINING

Most schools focus on building technical proficiency and improving physical strength and endurance in the fall. Fall is also the season of head races.

Intense building period for the spring racing season takes place in winter. Primarily consists of long interval training, this gradually becomes shorter and more intense as the race season approaches. Done on the water, using ergometers or indoor rowing tanks. A few schools send their fastest rowers to the CRASH-B Sprints in Boston. This 2,000 meter race is held on ergometers and features separate events for collegiate athletes.

The primary season for college rowing is in the spring, and the majority of schedule is composed of dual races. These 2,000 meter races take place between two, or sometimes three, schools. There are also several large regattas, such as the San Diego Crew Classic and the Eastern Sprints. Sprint races begin with all teams lined up and started simultaneously, as opposed to the time trials in the fall. If the rowing is league sponsored sport, the dual race and regatta results will also typically be used in determining the team's seeding for the league championship.