Although many non-rowers don't realise, rowing and sculling are highly techincal sports. The stroke is broken down into four main categories, the catch, drive, finish and recovery, each following into each other to create an effective stroke. In rowing (sweep oar) each individual holds one blade/oar, rotating their body round outside the boat, whereas sculling requires the athletes to use two shorter blades, one in each hand, this discipline not requiring the body to rotate.
Boats in sculling are singles (1x), doubles (2x) and quads (4x), in rowing there are pairs (2-), coxed fours (4+), coxless fours (4-) and the blue ribbon events, the eights (8+). Eights and coxed fours require a coxwain (cox for short) to steer the boat, and shout commands to the rest of the crew, in these boats they are the most important person. Typically coxes are small, weighing a minimum of 55kg (50kg for women), the most welcome member to any club they are looked after by crews and dont have to pay race entries.
Before taking to the water it maybe useful to habituate yourself with a rowing machine, commonly known as an 'erg'. Indoor rowing will allow you to learn the sequencing of the stroke, basic body positions and the application of power required within a rowing stokre
The sequencing of each stroke requires attention to detail, following the coaching points given on the specific pages to the part of the stroke. Combined together the stoke looks roughly like the animation shown below, with the key movements and body positions shown.
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