Crews are made up of 1, 2, 4 or 8 rowers. A coxswain (coxie) is often found on boats with 4 rowers and always on boats with 8 rowers. The following table defines the different boat configurations.
A ( + ) in the definition designates a coxie is present, a ( – ) indicates no coxie present.
An ( X ) indicates sculling, as defined above.
|
Boat Type |
Shortform |
Rowing Type |
# Rowers |
|
Single |
1X |
sculling |
1 rower |
|
Pair |
2- |
sweep rowing |
2 rowers |
|
Double |
2X |
sculling |
2 rowers |
|
Four |
4+ |
sweep rowing |
4 rowers + coxie |
|
Quad |
4X |
sculling |
4 rowers |
|
Eight |
8+ |
sweep rowing |
8 rowers + coxie |
Eight 8+
The largest of all rowing shells. It is manned by eight athletes, each using one sweep oar. A coxie steers the boat.
Cox Four 4+
A shell in which four athletes row, each using a single sweep oar. A coxie steers the boat and helps plan the race.
Quad 4X
A shell in which four scullers row, each using a pair of oars or sculls.
Four 4-
A shell in which four athletes row, each using a single sweep oar. The person in the bow of the boat steers with a rudder by use of a tiller wire attached to the toe of one shoe.
Cox Pair 2+
A shell rowed by two athletes, each using a single sweep oar. The coxie steers the craft and calls the stroke. The coxie may either be sitting in the stern or lying down on his back in the bow.
Pair 2-
A shell rowed by two athletes, each using a single sweep oar.
Double 2X
A shell in which two scullers row, each using a pair of sculls.
Single 1X
The smallest of the boats used in the sport, the single shell is rowed by one sculler with a sculling blade (oar) in each hand