Sculling and Sweep Rowing

Athletes with two oars, one in each hand, are scullers. There are three sculling events: the single (1x - one person), the double (2x - two people), and the quad (4x - four people).

Athletes with only one oar are sweep rowers. Sweep boats may or may not carry a coxswain (pronounced cox'n) to steer and be the on-the-water coach. In boats without coxswains, one of the rowers steers by moving the rudder with his or her foot. There are five sweep events: the pair with coxswain (2+ - two rowers and one coxswain), the pair without (2- - two rowers), the four with coxswain (4+ - four rowers and one coxswain), the four without (4- - four rowers), and the eight (8+ - eight rowers and one coxswain). The eight is the fastest boat on the water. An elite level men's 8+ is capable of speeds approaching 14 miles per hour.

Athletes are identified by their seat number in the boat. The athlete in the bow is seat #1. The person in front of the bow is #2, then #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, and #8 (the stroke). The stroke of the boat must be a strong rower with excellent technique, since they set the rhythm and stroke rating the rest of the crew must follow.