Rowing: Information Resource Portal

Rowing is a competitive or recreational sport in which participants row boats. Rowing is a total body workout though on the surface it appears that it is an upper body sport. Although upper body strength is important, the strength of the rowing stroke comes from the legs. Rowing is one of the few athletic activities that involves all of the body’s major muscle groups. It is a great aerobic workout and is a low-impact sport on the joints.

There are basically two types of boats (or shells) that reflect the two forms of rowing: sweep rowing in which each rower handles a single oar, and sculling in which a rower uses two oars or sculls. The boats are typically long and narrow and made of composite materials such as carbon fiber, fiberglass, or kevlar.

There are only six basic boat configurations. Sweep rowers come in pairs, fours, and eights. Scullers row in singles, doubles, and quads. A coxswain, the person who steers the boat and serves as the on-the-water coach, is always present on eights and may or may not be present on pairs and fours. In sculling, a rower typically steers the boat by using a foot-controlled rudder.

Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games, was a rower and rowing was one of the original Olympic sports. When Harvard and Yale met for a rowing race on Lake Winnipesaukee in 1852, American intercollegiate sport was born. And as a recreational sport, rowing can be enjoyed by people of all ages, sizes, and physical limitations. Rowing puts you in a refreshing atmosphere, one that stimulates your senses while challenging your efforts.






	Rowing Fast Facts History Equipment Events Resources	Rowing is a competitive or recreational sport in which participants row boats. Rowing is a total body workout though on the surface it appears that it is an upper body sport. Although upper body strength is important, the strength of the rowing stroke comes from the legs. Rowing is one of the few athletic activities that involves all of the body’s major muscle groups. It is a great aerobic workout and is a low-impact sport on the joints. There are basically two types of boats (or shells) that reflect the two forms of rowing: sweep rowing in which each rower handles a single oar, and sculling in which a rower uses two oars or sculls. The boats are typically long and narrow and made of composite materials such as carbon fiber, fiberglass, or kevlar. There are only six basic boat configurations. Sweep rowers come in pairs, fours, and eights. Scullers row in singles, doubles, and quads. A coxswain, the person who steers the boat and serves as the on-the-water coach, is always present on eights and may or may not be present on pairs and fours. In sculling, a rower typically steers the boat by using a foot-controlled rudder. Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games, was a rower and rowing was one of the original Olympic sports. When Harvard and Yale met for a rowing race on Lake Winnipesaukee in 1852, American intercollegiate sport was born. And as a recreational sport, rowing can be enjoyed by people of all ages, sizes, and physical limitations. Rowing puts you in a refreshing atmosphere, one that stimulates your senses while challenging your efforts.

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