Introduction
The perfect sport for those who adore the lingering odour of damp, rowing has featured at the Olympics since 1900. Popularised by muscular poshos from them universities, today’s sport is renowned for its competitors’ legendary displays of strength and stamina. It’s also one of the few events in which Britain regularly does well.
The basics
Unlike in kayaking or canoeing, the rower faces the back end of the boat (OK, the stern, smartarse), and they use the oars to pull the boat forwards. Sweep rowing is done in pairs, fours or eights because it involves one oar per rower, extending out of alternative sides of the boat. In sculling, which can be done individually, each rower holds an oar in each hand.
A single rowing stroke is split into two distinct parts: the “drive” phase (when the blades are in the water) and the “recovery” phase (when they aren’t). Broadly speaking, in the drive you straighten the legs first, pushing the seat backwards, before pulling in the oar handle into your chest to finish (the “draw”). Then, in the recovery, things happen in reverse, as you dip the handles (raising the blade from the water) and twist the oar to allow the blade to pass back to the starting position without catching the surface. It’s simpler than it sounds, OK?
Health benefits
Rowing uses more major muscle groups than the majority of other sporting activities. The primary effects are in the legs, back and arms. As all your weight is supported by the boat, there is no jarring of the joints and it is a very safe sport – with the oars in, boats are surprisingly difficult to capsize. When you become proficient you can expect to burn 500-600 calories per hour.
Equipment, costs and practicalities
Use this club finder to locate your nearest club – you’ll have to pay a membership fee of anything between £35 and £450 a year, which will include the use of facilities and boats. Most clubs offer subsidised rates for juniors, students and social members, and lots run open days where you can have a bash and meet the members. If you wish to race you’ll have to join British Rowing, but it may be worth doing this at an earlier stage as the benefits of membership include insurance, access to all the member areas of the website and a monthly magazine.
If you’re an absolute beginner, the Explore Rowing initiative is the place to start. Around 50 clubs nationwide have been provided with stable boats for novices to have a go. Use the finder on this site for participating clubs.
Trendiness rating: 6/10
National pride prevents us giving it a lower score. Also a rower’s physique is pretty impressive …
Inside line
Simon Dickie, British Rowing: “Rowing is a sport and activity that anyone, of any age or ability, can take part in and have real fun. People from 11 to 80 are signing up for learn to row courses every day and the new wider boats that are part of our Explore Rowing participation programme are proving to be a great hit with beginners.
“There are three types or rowing: sliding-seat, fixed-seat and indoor. Over 550 clubs and watersport centres across the country run sliding-seat sessions to suit your age, ability and lifestyle, as well as offering the competitive rowing you see at the Olympics. Fixed-seat boats are traditionally used on open water and coastal rowing is a fast-growing sport on the Cornish and Welsh coast.
“Indoor Rowing is accessible in thousands of gyms. RowActiv, the British Rowing app, has great tips to help with technique and training. Rowing is great for developing and maintaining strength. You can burn up to 1,000 calories an hour, making it one of the most efficient forms of weight management. If you want to row on your own, compete in a team or just have fun with Explore Rowing, find out how you can have a go at britishrowing.org.”
Find out more
britishrowing.org – visit for more information about rowing, including clubs, facilities and coaching schemes.
worldrowing.com – the website of the International Rowing Federation (Fisa), the governing body for the sport.
You may also like
Sailing, canoeing.
You might hate
BMX, basketball.
Over to you
Are you a rower? Help us build up this resource by sharing tips, videos, links to clubs and anything else that beginners might find useful.
Source: Read Full Article