scull*ing
What Is The Definition Of Sculling In Rowing?
1. Sculling is the type of rowing in which athletes row with two oars each (one oar on each side of the boat) as compared to rowing with one oar on only one side, which is known as sweep rowing. Rowers in sculling boats are also responsible for steering as typically there is no coxswain.
How Do Sculling Oars Differ From Sweep Rowing Oars?
Sculling oars are shorter in length than sweep rowing oars, usually by about two feet.
Sculling oars are also significantly lighter than sweep rowing oars. Depending on the materials they are made out of, sweep rowing oars generally weigh between 14-18 lbs. on average, while sculling oars weigh between 3-5 lbs.
How Many Rowers Are In Sculling Boats?
Sculling boats are made up of one, two, four, or eight rowers. Because rowers in sculling boats each have an oar on either side of the boat, the number of total rowers in the boat does not have to be an even number. This is not the case for sweep rowing.
How Does A Rower Steer In A Sculling Boat?
The bow rower is usually responsible for steering. They are in charge of looking over their shoulders to check that their boat is going in the right direction.
Steering can be done in two ways: either by having all rowers put more pressure into one side of oars than the other, or by the bow rower moving the footplate. The footplate is in the bow’s right shoe. This footplate is attached to the rudder via a wire so when the bow rower moves their right foot, they are also moving the rudder.
Example Of How Sculling Is Used In Commentary
1. Team USA raced quads as their sculling boats in Tokyo 2020.
Sport The Term Is Used
1. Rowing