If you are interested in rowing, the best place to start is with a local rowing club. They provide the boats - you provide the manpower! Clubs cater for all ages and abilities - men, women and juniors. | ||||||||||||||
Joining a ClubMost clubs are open to young people from the age of 10 or 11. At this age and until you are 18, you are classed as a junior. The Amateur Rowing Association (ARA) is the national governing body for rowing in the UK. There are more than 500 clubs affiliated to the Association. To find your nearest club you should contact them for advice, [See Information].
Charges
Award Scheme
All-Year Training The use of rowing machines has developed into a sport itself and there are now competitions for indoor rowing.
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What to WearDuring practice sessions, you can wear tracksuits or shorts and a vest, and possibly a cap, depending on the weather conditions and time of year. In competitive events, members of the same crew wear the same team clothes (shirt and shorts and any additional garments) in the clubs colours. Light trainers with a good grip are suitable to wear on your feet.
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Rowing ShellsRowing boats that are used for racing are called shells. There are two types:
There are different types of scull and sweep boats going from a single scull (one rower) to an eight (eight rowers). Boats vary in length from about 18 metres (60 ft) for an 8-oared shell to about 7 metres (24 ft) for a single scull.
The Shell
The Seats
The Oars Oars are connected to the shell with an oarlock. This is a U-shaped piece of metal or plastic that is fixed to the shell. The oar is put into the oarlock (the oarsman holds the narrower end; the broad end is in the water). A bar over the U-shape on the oarlock snaps shut so that the oar is secure. Once the oar is secure, the oarlock stops the oar accidentally slipping into the water, even if the rower lets go of the oar. The oarlock is mounted on a pin and it swivels as the oar is pulled through the water. In competitive rowing, the blades of the oars are often painted on both sides in the clubs' colours.
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