Cambridgeshire Rowing Association. Codes are M (Men's) or W (Women's) followed by the number of athletes in the crew, then + for coxed, - for coxless, x for scull. Reserves and spares are included in the team too. Cambridgeshire Rowing Association.

Cambridgeshire Rowing (Click to enlarge)

The Boats
Boats or shells were traditionally made from wood but are now mostly made from carbon fibre and plastic (eg Kevlar). They are 59.7-62.2cm wide and lengths vary by class (see below). A small fin is fitted at the bottom for stability. A rudder is attached to the fin or stern (except on sculling boats). A white ball is attached to the bow (safety measure, photo-finish). A washboard prevents waves from splashing water aboard. Seats are fitted with wheels which roll on runners or tracks.

The Oars
Oars are attached to the boat by adjustable outriggers and are hollow to reduce weight. The size and shape of oars is unrestricted, the average length of a sweep oar being 3.81m (12 feet 6 inches) and of a scull being 2.98m (9 feet 9 inches).

The Stroke
The stroke is made up of the catch in which oars are placed in the water. The pull through, or drive in which the legs are extended and the body opens up to make maximum use of the slide, levering the boat forwards, the finish in which oars come out of the water, and the recovery in which the rower's body moves towards the stern in preparation for the next stroke. Oars are rotated onto the feather parallel to the water surface at the finish to minimise air resistance and to the vertical at the catch to maximise water resistance.

Boat classes
There are eight boat classes, of which five are for sweep-oared rowing in which the rower uses one oar with both hands, and three are for sculling in which two oars are used, one in each hand. Some classes carry a cox, who either sits in the stern or lies in the bow to steer the boat.

The Lightweights
Lightweight men cannot weigh more than 72.5kg and the average of the whole crew cannot exceed 70kg (single sculler maximum 72.5kg). Lightweight women cannot weigh more than 59kg and the average of the whole crew cannot exceed 57kg (single sculler 59kg).

The Regatta
Championship races are rowed over 2,000 metres (1 mile 427 yards) in six lanes which are straight and buoyed. There are up to four rounds - heats, repechages, semi-finals and finals. The repechage round is for losing crews in the heats, meaning that every crew which loses in a heat has a second chance before being eliminated. The draw is conducted round by round according to alternative and previously undisclosed systems. The first three crews in each semi-final compete in the A final for places 1-6. The last three crews in each semi-final compete in the B final for places 7-12. Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded for the first three crews to cross the line in the A final.

Cambridgeshire Rowing Association

"Boats or shells were traditionally made from wood but are now mostly made from carbon fibre and plastic (eg Kevlar)."

"There are eight boat classes, of which five are for sweep-oared rowing in which the rower uses one oar with both hands, and three are for sculling in which two oars are used, one in each hand."

City of Cambridge Rowing

Cambridge '99 Rowing Club: Home Page

Amateur Rowing Association

Cambridgeshire Rowing Association