Rowing, Boats, Regattas

Rowing is the propulsion of a displacement boat, with or without coxswain, by the muscular force of one or more rowers, using oars as simple levers of the second order and sitting with their backs to the direction of movement of the boat. Rowing on a machine or in a tank which simulates the action of rowing in a boat is also considered as rowing.

In a rowing boat, all load bearing parts including the axes of moving parts, must be firmly fixed to the body of the boat, but the rower's seat may move along the axis of the boat.

A rowing regatta is a sporting competition consisting of one or more events divided, if necessary, into a number of races, in one or more classes of boats for rowers divided, as a general rule, into different categories of sex, age or weight.

Coxswains

Coxswains are members of the crew. A women's crew may not therefore be steered by a man nor may a men's crew be steered by a woman except in races for masters or if, in special circumstances, the Executive Committee permits otherwise. Age categories shall also apply to coxswains, except in Masters events.

The minimum weight for a coxswain (wearing racing uniform ) is 55 kgs. For men's, Under 23 men's and junior men's crews, and 50 kgs. For women's, Under 23 women's, junior women's and mixed crews.

To make up this weight, a coxswain may carry a maximum of 10kgs.Deadweight which shall be placed in the boat as close as possible to his person. No article of racing equipment shall be considered as part of this deadweight. At any time, before or until immediately after the race, the Control Commission may require the deadweight to be reweighed.

Weighing of Coxswains

Coxswains shall be weighed wearing their racing uniform on tested scales not less than one hour and not more than two hours before their first race in each event in which they are competing on each day of the competition.

The Control Commission may require on the occasion of the first weighing or subsequently the presentation of an official identity card with photograph.

Lightweights

Lightweights shall be classified as follows:

The average weight of a men's crew (excluding coxswain) shall not exceed 70 kg. No individual male rower shall weigh more than 72.5kg. A male single sculler shall not weigh more than 72.5 kg.

For women the average weight of a crew (excluding coxswain) shall not exceed 57 kg. No individual female rower shall weigh more than 59 kg. A female single sculler shall not weigh more than 59 kg.

Lightweight rowers shall be weighed wearing their racing uniform on tested scales not less than one hour and not more than two hours before their first race of each event in which they are competing, each day of the competition. They shall present themselves at the weighing centre wearing their racing uniform. The weighing scales should indicate the weight of the rower to 0.1 kg.

If the first race is subsequently postponed or cancelled, the lightweight rower is not required to be weighed later on the same day for that event.

Classes of Boat

The following classes of boat are recognised by FISA:

Single Sculls (1x)

Double Sculls (2x)

Pair (2-)

Coxed Pair (2+)

Quadruple Sculls (4x)

Four (4-)

Coxed Four (4+)

Eight (8+)

(BOCOG)