Basic Rowing Knowledge Trivia Quiz

Answer: Coxswain

In a rowing competition, a coxswain normally sits in the stern of the boat facing forward. The coxswain is tasked with ensuring the boat is on a straight course and letting other rowers know if something needs to be corrected. This is because the coxswain can feel how the boat is doing and, as experienced rowers themselves, can instruct rowers to change rhythm or direction if needed. Coxswains are normally smaller individuals (generally not over 5'4ft or 1.64m), but they also need to have a strong personality since they are the ones in command of the boat.

Answer: Eighth Rower

Being the "eighth" is a job only for those with the strongest skills. Also called a "stroke", this rower sets the pace or rhythm of the whole boat with the help of the seventh rower. The two last rowers are collectively known as the "stern pair" and tend to be very competitive! In boats with fewer seats, the same is true: the last seat is typically reserved for the strongest rower.

Answer: Head of the Charles

The Head of the Charles Regatta is a tradition well-known to most rowing organizations, and is a great showcase for talent in all age groups. This race first took place on the Charles River (between the cities of Boston and Cambridge) in 1965, when members of the Cambridge Boat Club put the event together.

Ever since, the multi-day regatta has attracted talented rowers from all around the world.

Answer: Dirigo

Among rowers, Dirigo has historically been a well-known brand that manufactures rowing boats. The company has also made oars and other gear. Today, Dirigo racing shells are still widely used by rowers, and are easily identifiable by their bright yellow color. Some other famous brands include Pocock and Vespoli.

Answer: Rigger

One of the many parts of a rowing boat is called a rigger. The rigger is used to hold the oarlocks through a complex system involving bolts and tubes. Sliding riggers evolved as an alternative to traditional riggers, but were banned by the World Rowing Federation because sliding riggers are more expensive and would likely afford rowers from certain nations an unfair advantage. Coxswains may be heard saying "watch your riggers" when carrying the boat in a tight spot.

Answer: Starboard and port

No matter how big or small, a ship's sides are usually called starboard and port. When the boat is facing forward, starboard is the right side and port is the left side. The terms for the front and back of the boat are bow and stern. For starboard bow seat rowers, for example, their oar projects to the right (from the coxswain's viewpoint).

Answer: Bucket rigging

Bucket rigging, or simply bucketing, is when rowers differ from normal rigging to redistribute weight and sometimes create more efficiency. For example, the seats could be set as "starboard, port, port, starboard" instead of the more normal "port, starboard, port, starboard". Bucket rigging largely depends on the strengths of each individual rower because the lineup can affect whether the strategy is effective or not.

Answer: Scull

In addition to the many international competitions organized by the World Rowing Federation, elite athletes in this sport meet every four years at the Olympic Games as well. In the past, competitors have been divided between men and women and have been able to compete in a single scull (one person), double scull (two people), quad scull (four people), and in an eight boat.

There are also contests for coxless pairs and coxless fours, and there is a separate category of double scull for lightweight men and women.

Answer: Chris Ernst

Born in Massachusetts, Christine Ernst became known not only for her athletic accomplishments, but also for the remarkable efforts she led to get equal treatment for Yale's women's crew team. In the film "A Hero for Daisy" by fellow rower Mary Mazzio, Chris Ernst and her teammates are shown in the 1976 protest of Yale's athletic department. The athletes wanted adequate facilities as required by Title IX, a federal law passed a few years before that outlawed discrimination based on sex in educational institutions that receive federal funds. Ernst's protest gained national attention and successfully got Yale to give locker rooms to the women's crew team.

Ernst attended a couple of Olympic Games as an alternate for the U.S. and won medals at the World Rowing Championships in 1975 (silver), 1986 (gold), and 1987 (bronze).

Answer: Yes

Contrary to what someone without rowing experience may think, shoes are already attached to most competitive rowing boats. These are part of a piece of equipment called foot stretchers, which like the name suggests, are meant for rowers to put their feet in. Once the rower is in place, they use their legs to power the boat while they move with the sliding seat.

Other basic parts of a boat include the sliding seat, the rigger, the rig bolts, the oarlock, and the oar. A 7-16 wrench is typically used to loosen and tighten nearly all parts of a boat.