ROWING

propulsion of a boat by means of oars. As a sport, it involves watercraft known as shells (usually propelled by eight oars) and sculls (two or four oars), which are raced mainly on inland rivers and lakes. The term rowing refers to the use of a single oar grasped in both hands, while sculling involves the use of two oars, one grasped in each hand. In competitive rowing the oar is a shaft of wood with a rounded handle at one end and a shaped blade at the other. The shaft usually consists of two halves hollowed out and glued together in order to save weight and increase flexibility. The bladea thin broadened surfaceis either flat or slightly curved at the sides and tip to produce a firm grip of the water. The loom, or middle portion of the oar, rests either in a notch or oarlock (rowlock) or between thole pins on the gunwale (top edge) of the boat in order to serve as a fulcrum of the oar. The loom is protected against wear in this area of contact by a short sleeve of leather or plastic. Oars have fixed leather or adjustable metal or plastic collars, called buttons, to prevent slippage outboard. In sculling, the oars are called sculls. There is no length restriction on either oars or sculls, but the former are usually about 3.6 to 3.9 metres (12 to 13 feet) long and the latter 2.9 metres (9.5 feet). Dimensions of a coxless pair, a two-person shell boat in rowing. Early shells and scull boats were of wood and thus heavy. Later, lighter materials and a process called coldmolding resulted in lighter craft and a skin of about 3.2 mm (0.125 inch). There are no restrictions on boat size, except for junior events. Shells are 1618.9 metres (5262 feet) long for eights and shorter for fours and pairs (see illustration). Single sculling boats are usually 8.2 metres (27 feet) long. Both kinds of boats have an easy motion through the water and glide between strokes. Additional reading Gilbert C. Bourne, A Text-book of Oarsmanship (1925, reissued 1989), describes the theory and art of rowing, oar and boat design, coaching, and muscular action. Desmond Hill, Instructions in Rowing (1963), is a comprehensive guide for coaching rowers from beginners upward. Ronnie Howard and Nigel Hunt, Knowing Rowing (1977); and D.C. Churbook, The Book of Rowing (1988), provide illustrated introductions.