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a more (or less) blended sequence of applying power primarily with a leg drive, then the back and finally the arms.

Finish, the last part of the drive before the release where the power is mainly coming from the back and arms� Rigger: The frame that hold the oarlock away from the gunnel to optimise leverage (there are several styles of riggers)� Our boats generally use the wing rigger design where the rigger sits across the boat on top of the gunnels� Rigging / de rigging: to put together/ take apart the boat - the riggers, seats, slides etc� Seat race: A method to compare two rowers in fours or eights� Two boats race against each other once� One rower from each boat switches positions and the two boats race again� Relative performance in the two races is used to compare the abilities of the two rowers� Skiff: The boat used for rowing� Slides: Rails upon which a rower or sculler’s sliding seat will roll� Smoothie: A blade design in which the face of the oar blade is smooth, without the traditional central spine� Split time (split): Amount of time it takes to row 500 metres� Displayed on all ergs� Stretcher: An adjustable footplate� Stroke: one complete cycle through the process above the rower in the stern of a multi-person shell, whose timing is followed by the other rowers� Stroke rate: The number of strokes executed per minute by a crew (also rating)� Square: To turn the oar so that its blade is perpendicular to the water (opposite of feather)�

The Boats

The boats are basically of two types and reflect the two forms of rowing - sweep rowing and sculling� Sweep Boats (each rower has one oar): These shells can have a coxswain - a person who steers the shell (using a rudder) and urges the rowers on�

Coxless Pair 2Two sweep rowers without a coxswain Coxed Four 4+ Four sweep rowers with a coxswain� or Coxless) Four 4- Four sweep rowers without a coxswain� Steering is usually accomplished via a rudder that is attached to a cable that is connected to one of the rower’s foot stretchers� The coxless pair has a similar type of rudder set-up� Eight 8+ Eight sweep rowers with a coxswain� Eights are around 18�5 m long and weigh about 114 kg�

Sculling Boats (each rower has two oars): Only in rare cases do these boats have a coxswain� Steering is generally accomplished by applying more power or pressure to the oar(s) on one side of the shell� The hands overlap (usually left over right) during part of the rowing cycle�

Single 1X One rower or sculler� Singles are about 8 m long and less than 300 mm wide� Racing singles can weigh as little as 13�5 kg� There are heavier, shorter and wider versions often referred to as recreational singles�

Double 2X Two scullers. Most racing doubles can be also used as a pair with a different set of riggers designed for sweep oars� When used as a pair a rudder is usually added� There are also recreational versions of sculling doubles�

Quadruple 4X Four scullers� Often referred to as a `quad’ Most quads can also be rigged as a straight four using a different set of riggers.