So, you want to get into rowing, huh? Maybe you watched the Olympics and saw a countryman or woman climb those hallowed podium steps to claim a gold medal and thought ‘yeh, that looks good’. Or maybe, you’ve seen rowers cruising up and down the local river or lake and feel inspired in the summer sun to get involved.
In any case, rowing is a great physical and mental outlet. Communal, collaborative and cardio-credible, it is one of the most challenging but also rewarding sports in the world and many who step out onto the water find themselves hooked from minute one.
Here at JRN, we are all pretty obsessed with rowing and want to ensure the next generation of athletes – who could be ascending the podium at the LA Olympics or beyond – get the chance to participate. Let’s dive in…
Requirements
There are no specific requirements to be a rower. It helps if you live near to a body of water with an active rowing club, but with the emergence of coastal rowing over the past five years, a lot more people can access the sport here in the UK.
Physically, you may have noticed that a lot of rowers are, well, tall. Long levers and height are extremely important in rowing – they allow you to spend more time with your blade (oar) in the water and also give you more leverage to exert the power through your legs (the engine room of the rowing stroke).
That is not to say that not being tall disqualifies you from the sport. Anyone can take part and a lot of clubs have a range of recreational offerings that do not involve competition. Even if you are on the smaller side but have a burning desire to be out in a boat, think about coxing.
Online Resources
There is a whole host of educational material online and available in relation to rowing. For a kick-off, you could watch the ongoing Olympic and Paralympic Games and enjoy the very fastest athletes in our sport attempting to claim the ultimate prize. You can also scour YouTube for tutorials and classic races.
JRN is the chief storyteller in the sport and our previews, reviews, analyses and narratives cover rowing right across the world. British Rowing – the UK’s national governing body – has a wealth of resources on its website whilst World Rowing – the global governing body – also have a comprehensive website available.
Other great resources to consumer rowing-related media include:
Types of Rowing
Rowing takes many different types of forms, across rivers, lakes and oceans. Here are just a few:
Sweep Rowing
In sweep rowing, each rower uses one oar, held with both hands. The main types of sweep rowing boats are:
- Pair (2-): A boat for two people without a coxswain.
- Coxed Pair (2+): A boat for two people with a coxswain.
- Four (4-): A boat for four people without a coxswain.
- Coxed Four (4+): A boat for four people with a coxswain.
- Eight (8+): A boat for eight people with a coxswain.
Sculling
In sculling, each rower uses two oars, one in each hand. The main types of sculling boats are:
- Single Scull (1x): A boat for one person.
- Double Scull (2x): A boat for two people.
- Quadruple Scull (4x): A boat for four people.
Coastal Rowing
A more rugged version of rowing that takes place in open water, including coastal areas with waves and tides. Coastal rowing boats are wider and more stable than flat-water racing shells.
- Solo: Single rower.
- Double: Two rowers.
- Coxed Quad: Four rowers with a coxswain.
Indoor Rowing
Indoor rowing involves using rowing machines (ergometers) and is often used for training or competition. Find out more at https://www.britishrowing.org/indoor-rowing/
Adaptive Rowing
Designed for rowers with physical disabilities, adaptive rowing boats and equipment are modified to meet the needs of the athletes.
- Single Scull (AS): Arms and shoulders only.
- Double Scull (TA): Trunk and arms.
- Coxed Four (LTA): Legs, trunk, and arms.
Gig Rowing
This involves rowing in traditional wooden boats, often seen in coastal communities in the UK and Ireland. These boats are wider and heavier than racing shells.
Costs
There is no getting round it – rowing can be a costly sport to be involved with. It does not have to be though. A lot of athletes want to buy the latest kit, row in the fastest boats and go on multi-week training camps. That is not necessary for novice athletes or people who want to pursue the sport at an amateur level.
From starting out in rowing, you can expect these costs (UK-specific):
- Rowing club membership fee (this should cover your affiliation with the club plus enable you to use their boats as part of a broader squad)
- Rowing kit (you only need to purchase the basics and good general sportswear will get you quite a long way)
- British Rowing membership fee (necessary if you want to compete and priced at £70 per year for an adult)
- Coaching (Most clubs have volunteer coaches who are happy to donate their time if you join that club)
Find A Club
British Rowing have a great ‘Club Finder’ tool that allows you to filter by postcode. JRN have also built out a ‘Club Aggregate’ that offers you in-depth coverage of a range of clubs, schools and universities who row across the UK.
It would be sensible to start on a ‘Learn To Row’ course at a local rowing club. You’ll meet other people in the same position as you, and you’ll get instruction on all the basics you need to row safely.
Most rowing clubs run Learn to Row courses for juniors (aged around 13-18) and adults of all ages.
Some clubs also run intensive, usually five-day, learn to row courses for teenagers in the school summer holidays.
If you have a physical disability or sensory or learning impairment, go to our Adaptive Rowing page for more information on how you can have your first rowing experience.
Racing Calendar
If you want to pursue rowing at a high level and have found a club that suits you, you might be interested in perusing the racing calendar. Depending on your age – and proficiency – there will be different events through the year that cater for varying abilities.
JRN cover most of the top events via our ‘Racing Content’ channels and David Biddulph keeps a calendar of key races throughout the season, with dates and locations.
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