Rowing - Rules

The rules of Rowing vary according to the governing bodies of different countries. However, international rules are defined by Fédération Internationale des Sociétés d'Aviron (FISA). Maximum rules are same with a slight difference among them. For example buoyancy aids are compulsory to wear for the coxswains all the time under British rowing federation whereas, in FISA no such rules are there.

Boat Position

Except single sculls, rowers are numbered in a sequential manner in a boat. Man nearer to the bow is numbered as first and continues to increase as we move towards the person sitting at stern. A bowman always positions himself at the first seat whereas, the person who sits close to the stern is known as strokeman.

Stern pairs are given the task for setting up stroke rate and also to maintain the rhythm in a boat. More powerful rowers are positioned in the middle of the boat. They are having less technical knowledge as compared to the stern pairs.

Rowing − Important Terminologies

For naming an event, different nomenclature systems are used in a rowing competition. The aim behind is to understand many facts like age, weight, gender and size of boat by just looking at this symbols. Letter L or Lt is used to signify lightweight category. Similarly symbols J and B are used to recognise team.

Let’s summarize here some other important abbreviations.

Abbrevations for sculling boats

Abbrevations for Rowing boats