Boat classes explained
A rowing boat class is defined by three things: how many rowers are in the boat, whether each rower has one oar or two, and whether there is a coxswain. The short codes used in results, such as 4x or 8+, state all three.
Sculling and sweep
There are two ways to row.
- In sculling, each rower has two oars, one in each hand.
- In sweep rowing, each rower has one oar, held in both hands. Rowers sit alternately on either side of the boat.
A sculling boat is faster than a sweep boat with the same number of rowers, because there are twice as many blades in the water.
Reading the code
The number is the number of rowers. The symbol after it tells you the rest.
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| x | Sculling boat |
| - | Sweep boat without a cox |
| + | Boat with a cox |
The main classes
| Code | Name | Rowers | Oars each | Cox |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1x | Single scull | 1 | 2 | No |
| 2x | Double scull | 2 | 2 | No |
| 4x | Quadruple scull, or quad | 4 | 2 | No |
| 2- | Coxless pair | 2 | 1 | No |
| 4- | Coxless four | 4 | 1 | No |
| 4+ | Coxed four | 4 | 1 | Yes |
| 8+ | Eight | 8 | 1 | Yes |
The eight always has a cox. It is the fastest boat on the water and the longest, at around 18 metres.
Two other classes appear in British racing. The coxed quad, written 4x+, is used for younger juniors. The octuple scull, 8x+, puts eight junior scullers in an eight with a cox.
Prefixes
Letters in front of the code describe who is rowing.
| Prefix | Meaning |
|---|---|
| M or Op | Men’s, or open |
| W | Women’s |
| L | Lightweight |
| J | Junior, usually with an age such as J16 |
| Mas | Masters, with a letter for the age band |
| Mx | Mixed |
So LW2x is a lightweight women’s double scull and J16 4x is a quad for rowers under 16.
Who steers
In a boat with a cox, the cox steers with a rudder and calls the race. In coxless boats one rower steers with a foot, by a shoe fixed to a wire that turns the rudder. Singles and most doubles have no rudder at all and are steered by pulling harder on one side.
Positions in the boat
Seats are numbered from the bow, the end that crosses the line first. The rower at number one is called bow. The rower nearest the stern is called stroke and sets the rhythm for everyone else.