Rowing

Looking for a water-sport that will give all your muscles a good workout, followed by a good social time?

then get into rowing!

Rowing is a sport for all ages and a proven way to improve your health and fitness. You can row all year round, though as with most water sport, it is pleasanter in the warmer months. There are several types of rowing:

Most competitive rowing is in modern lightweight racing shells or ‘fine’ boats on rivers and lakes. Rowers have one ‘sweep’ or two ‘sculls’ each. A ‘Cox’ steers larger boats and guides the crew.

Classes are men and women’s single, double and quad sculls and pair, four, coxed pair, coxed four and eight (coxed) sweeps.

Britain won seven medals in Olympic class boats at the last World Championships.

‘Adaptive’ rowing, for disabled rowers, is also growing in popularity. The GB adaptive team won gold medals at the last four World Championships and have a good chance in the Paralympic Games at Beijing. There are three classes:

Men’s and Women’s Arms only Single Scull
Mixed Trunk and Arms double
Mixed Legs Trunk and Arms coxed four

Coastal rowing uses traditional boats like Cornish gigs, Welsh long boats, Seine and Teine boats.

Social rowing generally takes place in traditional light boats (skiffs) on rivers and estuaries.

Rowing clubs - most large towns have one - welcome beginners and provide equipment and training. Rowing clubs also have a deserved reputation for being sociable.

rowing: a profile

take part? just you | small group | with family | in a team
where? outside
energy/fitness level? you’ll sweat a bit | full on
sociability? can talk some of the time
disability access*? ok with help
can be played? competitively | as friends
contact sport? non-contact
try it cost? low
play it cost? low

* Individual circumstances vary hugely, and this affects participation in any sport. This guide is necessarily general in nature and may not suit your situation.

starting rowing?

Going to give rowing a go? Good for you!

An easy way to start is to get in touch with your local club. They can offer you advice, probably offer lessons and trial sessions including equipment hire, and may have members’ discounts at sports shops. The Amateur Rowing Association’s website has a rowing club finder. For specific types of rowing, use the Advanced Search option.

Also see the links in ‘More Information’ on the right and on the getting started page.

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