Crew. It’s one of the oldest olympic sports, which also happens to be the oldest collegiate sport AND the oldest inter-high school competition in the United States. While far more popular in the Northeast (maybe it has something to do with good old Harvard and Yale being up there…), there is an active Crew community in South Florida and a few high schools offer it as a sport. And, why not? With so many waterways and year-round warm weather, South Florida is the perfect spot to get into this sport. In fact, many northern teams use training centers in Miami when the water up North freezes in the winter.
We visited Pine Crest’s Crew team to get a little info on what the sports is all about. Here’s what we learned.
It’s Sexier than Football
Who wants to see a bunch of (often overweight) guys in pads hit one another and throw a leather ball around? Now who wants to watch guys (or girls) use every muscle and demonstrate ridiculous endurance? Better yet, be one of those guys or girls?
Seriously, though. It’s an incredible workout. We’re talking full-body. Forget going to the gym; this is all you need. The boats are equipped with sliding seats and lacing for the feet. All parts of the body are engaged at some point during each stroke.
Did we mention that there’s scholarship money to be had? And, that it’s popular at all the best (ahem, Ivy) schools?
Skull vs. Sweep
So now that you’ve decided that Crew is where it’s at, you should know that there are two different types of rowing: skulling and sweeping. Here’s the difference between the two.
Sweeps:
- one oar per rower held in both hands
- Usually in pairs of 4 or 8 rowers per boat
- starboard = bow side (right)
- strokeside = port side (left)
Sculling
- Much faster
- Two oars per rower
- Can be done as a single rower, as well as in quads or doubles
- Right hand extends to stroke side
- Left hand extends to port side
Crew Talk
Ok, so you figured out if you want one oar or two. Here are a few glossary terms that might come in handy if you’re going to try Crew out.
Coxswain - a person in charge of a Crew boat. Determines rhythm and navigation. Typically, will sit in the stern.
Engine-room – The biggest, strongest rowers who are usually placed in the middle of the boat.
Feather – Blade of the oar is parallel to the water
Square – Blade of the oar is perpendicular to the water
Split-time - how long it takes to row 500 meters
Oh, and there are phases of a row. Four of them, to be exact.
Catch – when the blade of the oar catches hold of/enters the water
Drive – this is the power part of the row
Finish – blade leaves the water
Recovery – non-work phase
Commands
Very important. If your Crew Seats or Coxswain is shouting these at you, you may just want to pay attention.
Blades Down – Rowers to place their blades back on the water after performing an easy-all.
Blades in – Rowers on one side pull their blades in, to prevent hitting an object or another boat, or to let another crew pass on a narrow river.
Down on (side) – Boat is leaning to one side. Rowers on down must raise their hands, while the other side lowers their hands.
Give her 10 – Usually commanded when trying to pass another boat. Indicates that rowers should give 10 strong strokes.
Pick it / Picking – A rapid stroke where rowers use only their arms and use little pressure. A kick-butt way to turn a boat when it’s done right.
Take the run off – To stop rowing and hold the blades at a 45 degree angle in the water to slow down
Where to go:
A few local parks offer Crew, but you might want to call first. If you’re interested in Crew as a high school sport, you can check out the schools on this list. You can check out Active.com, too.
Also worth a try:
Tune into On Demand to see our free episode on Crew.
On Demand -> Get Local -> Teen Sports -> Crew
I am on crew at a high school in Virginia and I just wanted to know if y’all say Check It instead of Blades In. And Power 10 instead of Give Her Ten. I just wanted to know if they are both terms or if one is just adopted from the original term or if the terms differ from Norther teams and Southern teams.
I believe they are terms that evolved from each other. I’ve heard both used, so I’m not sure if the terms are southern v. northern, especially since so many crewers from up north end up coming south.