It is the mission of the Kansas State
Rowing Association to:
- maintain a healthy and successful
body of organization,
- educate the public, of not only
the club, but the sport of rowing as a whole;
- to accomodate the needs of its
members in good-standing;
- to promote good sportsmanship
and athleticism in the name of Kansas State University;
- and to provide equal opportunity
in the organization to all those who seek it.
What is rowing?
Rowing is a water sport where human-powered boats race against each other.
These boats usually contain rowers in numbers of 1,2,4 and 8; and sometimes
an additional person to steer and coach. As it is a racing sport, the boats
and equipment are technically customized for lightness, durability, and
speed; while the athletes train in skill, strength and, most importantly,
Eleven insights to the sport
is a total body workout. Rowing only
looks like 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, in the same vein as cross-country
skiing, and is a low-impact sport on the joints.
2. Rowers are probably the world's best
athletes. Rowing looks graceful, elegant and
sometimes effortless when it is done well. Don’t be fooled. Rowers haven’t
been called the world's most physically fit athletes for nothing. The sport
demands endurance, strength, balance, mental discipline, and an ability to
continue on when your body is demanding that you stop.
3. Sweep (like
a broom) and Sculling (with
a “c”). There are two basic types of rowing: sweep rowing and sculling.
In sweep rowing, athletes hold one oar with both hands. In sculling, the athletes
have two oars, one in each hand.
4. The boat. Although
spectators will see hundreds of different races at a rowing event, there are
only six basic boat configurations. Sweep rowers come in pairs (2s), fours
(4s) and eights (8s). Scullers row in singles (1x), doubles (2x) and quads
(4x). Sweep rowers may or may not carry a coxswain (cox-n), the person who
steers the boat and serves as the on-the-water coach. All eights have coxswains,
but pairs and fours may or may not. In all sculling boats and sweep boats without
coxswains, a rower steers the boat by using a rudder moved with the foot.
5. The categories. Rowers
are categorized by sex, age and weight. Events are offered for men and women,
as well as for mixed crews containing an equal number of men and women. There
are junior events for rowers 18 or under or who spent the previous year in
high school, and there are masters events for rowers 27 and older. There are
two weight categories: lightweight and open weight.
6. The equipment. Today's
rowing boats are called shells, and they’re made of lightweight carbon
fiber. The smallest boat on the water is the single scull, which is only 27-30
feet long, a foot wide and approximately 30 pounds. Eights are the largest
boats at 60 feet and a little over 200 pounds. Rowers use oars to propel their
shells. Sweep oars are longer than sculling oars, typically with carbon fiber
handles and rubber grips (although some sweepers still prefer wooden handles).
Sculling oars are almost never wood.
7. The crew. Athletes
are identified by their position in the boat. The athlete sitting in the bow,
the part of the boat that crosses the finish line first, is the bow seat or
No. 1 seat. The person in front of the bow is No. 2, then No. 3 and so on.
The rower closest to the stern that crosses the finish line last is known as
the stroke. The stroke of the boat must be a strong rower with excellent technique,
as the stroke is the person who sets the rhythm of the boat for the rest of
8. SPM not MPH. Rowers
speak in terms of strokes per minute (SPM), literally the number of strokes
the boat completes in a minute's time. The stroke rate at the start is high – 38-45,
even into the 50s for an eight – and then “settles” to a
race cadence typically in the 30s. Crews sprint to the finish, taking the rate
up once again. Crews may call for a “Power 10” during the race – a
demand for the crew's most intense 10 strokes.
9. Race watching. The
crew that's making it look easy is most likely the one doing the best job.
When watching a race, look for a continuous, fluid motion from the rowers;
synchronization in the boat; clean catches, i.e. oars entering the water with
little splash; and the boat with the most consistent speed.
10. Teamwork is number one. Rowing
isn’t a great sport for athletes looking for MVP status. It is, however,
teamwork's best teacher. The athlete trying to stand out in an eight will only
make the boat slower. The crew made up of individuals willing to sacrifice
their personal goals for the team will be on the medal stand together. Winning
teammates successfully match their desire, talent and bladework with one another.
11. Rowing is the ultimate walk-on sport. (It's
easier to get started than you think.) USRowing is a membership organization
that serves rowers of every age and ability from the beginner to the experienced
rower to the national team. So, there's definitely a place for you.