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In Rowing, one or more rowers in a specially designed shell (form of boat) try to row as quickly as possible across a body of water. Ideally, the basin of water should be sheltered from wind and have no current. As waves can interfere with a race, the sides of the water body should be able to absorb waves rather than reflecting them. Rowing races are usually along a straight course divided into 6 or 8 lanes. However, races can take place on rivers usually covering distances between 4 and 6 kilometres.
Depending on the number of competitors, the qualifying rounds consist of trials, quarterfinals and semifinals. Those with the best times in the semifinals are given the privilege of starting in the centre lane in the finals, giving them a better view of their opponents’ progress.
The International Rowing Federation (FISA) oversees the sport of Rowing, and organises international championships.
The rowing or sculling technique is the key to being a successful rower. There are 4 repeating phases in the cycle stroke, which are (a) catch, (b) drive, (c) feathering and (d) recovery.
Catch
As the rower leans forward with knees bent and arms stretched out in front, the oar blade enters (called catches) the water and propels the shell forward.
Drive
At the beginning of the stroke, the upper body remains in place, and the legs do all the work. Once the legs start pushing against the foot stretchers, the rower slides backward, keeping the arms and back straight. Then, once the hands pass the knees, the arms are quickly pulled in toward the trunk to give the shell its speed.
Feathering
The oar handle is lowered, raising the blade out of the water. Once the blade clears the water, the rower turns the handle to position the blade parallel to the water.
Recovery
With the blade out of the water, the rower begins the recovery by stretching the hands forward beyond the knees. As the body follows the hands, the seat slides forward and the rower is ready to start a new stroke.
In a typical 2,000 metres race, rowers complete an average 32 to 40 strokes a minute. During training, the pace is generally 18 to 20 strokes per minute.
Equipment
Shells are usually made of carbon fibre, but may be made of wood. Attached to the bottom of the shell are foot stretchers which hold the rowers’ feet in place. Normally the rowers’ shoes are bolted to the foot stretchers. The seat slides on two rails to facilitate the rowers’ movements, and to increase the length and power of the strokes.
There are two different types of shells. Sweep boats allow rowers only one oar, and sculls allow them two oars. With the exception of skiffs, which is a single seater shell, shells have between 2 and 8 rowers. They may be with or without a coxswain; the person who gives orders to the crew, sets the pace and steers the boat by controlling the rudder.
In coxless shells, one of the rowers controls the rudder with his feet and the orders are given by another team mate. To avoid weight advantages, coxwains must weigh at least 55 and 45 kilos respectively for men’s and women’s events. In the case of people slightly below, a ballast of up to 5 kilos is permitted to take them up to the minimum weight.
Oars are now made of carbon fibre and have asymmetrical blades to improve their catch in the water. However, oars were originally made of wood with a symmetrical blade. Sweep oars are longer and have a wider blade, as the force comes from both the rower’s arms.
Conventionally, a rower’s dress will consist of an athletic jersey, shorts and footwear. The jersey will typically be in national, federation or club colours.
History
In ancient times, the Phoenicians, Greeks and Egyptians raced galleys, usually on natural waterways but sometimes on artificial lakes in giant Roman coliseums that were converted for the occasion.
The first modern rowing regattas appeared in England in the 18th century, but it was the Oxford and Cambridge student boat race organised in 1829 which inaugurated the competitive sport of rowing.
The first of England’s now famous Henley Royal Regattas was held in 1839, and the sport’s popularity spread to France around the same time. In the United States in 1852, Harvard and Yale held their first boat race, similar to the one between the two British universities.
Meanwhile, the sport continued to expand throughout Europe, and the International Rowing Federation (FISA) was founded in 1892. Three years later in 1896, rowing made its debut at the modern Olympic Games. In 1976 women’s rowing was included, but female competitors are still excluded from coxed pairs and coxless fours. The first men’s World Championship competition was held in 1962, and the first women’s championship followed in 1974.
Currently in the Olympic Games, there are 8 events for men and 6 events for women.
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Flatwater Racing in Canoes and Kayaks
Flatwater racing in a canoe or kayak is a test of speed against the clock on still water, and is the oldest form of canoe or kayak competition for both men and women. It requires excellent aerobic capacity and muscular endurance - with particular demands on the arm, shoulder and back muscles. Characteristics for performing well in this sport include power, coordination, agility and motivation. In the Olympics, races are over distances of 500 and 1,000 metres for men and 500 metres for women.
At the World Whampionships, a distance of 200 metres is added.
In Flatwater Canoe Racing, one or more canoeists (up to four in kayaks) in a specially designed shell (form of boat) try to paddle as quickly as possible across a body of water. Ideally, the basin of water should be sheltered from wind and have no current. As waves can interfere with a race, the sides of the water body should be able to absorb waves rather than reflecting them.
Canoe races are usually along a straight course divided into 9 lanes, and marked by buoys that are white for the beginning of the course and red for the last 200 metres, with the last red buoy denoting the end of the race.
Depending on the number of competitors, the qualifying rounds consist of trials, quarterfinals and semifinals. Those with the best times in the semifinals are given the privilege of starting in the centre lane in the finals, giving them a better view of their opponents’ progress.
The International Canoe Federation (ICF) oversees the sport of Canoeing, and organises international championships.
The canoe paddling technique is the key to being successful in Flatwater Racing. There are 4 repeating phases in the cycle stroke which are (a) catch, (b) brace, (c) recovery and (d) return to catch.
Catch
With both arms stretched and the paddle out of the water, the paddler prepares to start the stroke.
Brace
The blade is completely immersed and vertical in the water, and the paddler pulls it inwards towards the canoe.
Recovery
When the pulling phase is over, the paddler strengthens up the back and lifts the paddle out of the water.
Return to catch
The paddler is ready to begin the next stroke.
Equipment
In competition, the different types of canoes and kayaks are usually designated by their first letter followed by a number indicating the number of passengers, e.g. K2 representing a pairs kayak, C1 a singles canoe etc.
The main differences between canoes and kayaks are that kayaks have a narrower profile with a double-bladed paddle consisting of a middle handle with a spoon and back at each end, instead of a single-blade with shaft.
A canoeist’s dress is conventional formed of an athletic jersey, shorts and footwear. The jersey will typically be in national, federation or club colours.
History
Canoes and kayaks were invented more than 6,000 years ago by indigenous peoples in Canada and Greenland, who used them as a means of transportation on the rivers, lakes and polar waters of these vast lands. In the 19th century, they began to be used in different sports, including Flatwater Racing.
The first canoe club was established in London in 1865.
In 1924, the International Repraetantschaft fur Kanuspart (IRK) was set up in Copenhagen. Also in 1924, Flatwater Racing was a demonstration sport on the River Seine at the Olympic Games in Paris.
In 1936 at the Olympics in Berlin, it became an official Olympic event.
In 1946, the International Canoe Federation (ICF) was created in Stockholm to replace the IRK.
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