Very lucky is the school or college that has the necessary facilities for rowing. Wherever this form of sport is indulged in, it is generally popular. It deserves its popularity, for not only is it one of the most pleasant outdoor recreations but it is also very beneficial, since it brings into play practically all the muscles in the body.

In rowing, as in other sports, there is a great difference between competitive and non-competitive work. Whether racing or merely taking a pleasure row, the stroke is, however, fundamentally the same.

First, the position in the boat is to be considered. The oarsman sits in the center of the boat with her back toward the bow, facing the stern, with her feet planted firmly on the bottom of the boat, knees bent, slightly apart. An oar is grasped firmly in each hand, the oars having previously been adjusted in the oar-locks. There is a difference in the racing stroke, as shown under Racing.

Position of the Hands on the Oar.—Next to be considered is the stroke itself. The blade of the oar is just above the water and perpendicular to it. The arms and hands are straight, so that the hands holding the oars are just above the toes.

Catch.—Then the blades enter the water, turned forward so that they are held in the water vertically. The body is then swung backward from the hips; all the strength and weight of the body are put to the oars.

Pull.—As the body is swinging backward, the arms are bent into the chest. The blade of the oar is kept under water during the entire length of the pull.

Recovery.—As the hands touch the chest, the forearm is dropped quickly, thus causing the blade to leave the water.

Feathering.—The blade is carried a few inches above and horizontal to the water. It is gradually turned, as the catch is reached, to a perpendicular position, ready to enter the water as the arms are straightened ready for the catch.

Legs.—Where a sliding seat is used the object is to combine the use of the arms and legs in making the sweep of the oar longer, at full reach the body being doubled up with the knees under the chin, the stroke consisting of catching the water with the back and forcing it through to the finish by combined action of back and legs. When the finish is reached the legs are straight, the hands and oar are against the chest, and the body slightly back of the perpendicular.

Racing

The racing stroke is the same, except that for the four and eight-oared crews each oarsman pulls one oar, known as a “sweep,” holding it in both hands—the inside hand at the end of the oar, the outside hand a hand’s breadth away. The boats used for racing are known as “shells,” especially made for the purpose. These have sliding seats and are equipped with either oar-locks or thole pins (according to the belief of the coach) and stretchers, or boards against which the feet rest. When the body is forward, the sliding seat is forward toward the bow; as the pull is starting, the seat comes back until the body is back, then it moves forward as body swings forward.

In racing, the shell is steered by a coxswain, who sits in the stern facing the oarsmen and holds the lines which guide the rudder. This is very important, since she tries to choose the best and most favorable course. She must observe all conditions closely. She alters the course as little as possible, taking care not to jerk or in any way interfere with running of the boat. She also judges the stroke, that is, when the stroke should be faster or slower.

The stroke oar is the most important position in the boat, since all the others time their strokes according to hers, either faster or slower, according to the necessity.

Above everything necessary in racing is a good coach, who watches carefully for any signs of fatigue or over-exertion. It never pays in the long run to overdo. The crew should work smoothly, harmoniously and with perfect mastery of the stroke. This can be obtained through the supervision of the coach, who criticises the individual and the whole. In arranging a crew the heavier girls are in the center, the lighter at either end; the coxswain should be as small and light as possible, thus not adding much unused weight.

In the single and double sculls—that is, boats rowed by one or two oarsmen—an oar is grasped in each hand. The sculler steers by pulling evenly on both oars for a straight course, or more strongly on one or the other oar for a variation of the course.

Rules for Racing.

Boat races, or regattas, are held on fixed courses for measured distances. In choosing a course, the natural and local conditions have to be considered. The most desirable are straightaway over inland waters with no, or little, current. If the course is in tidal water, the race should be so timed that it is not necessary for the crew to row against the tide.

The start and the finish are marked by flags. The stern must be on a line with the start. The bow first crossing the finish line wins. A tie is usually rowed over again.

The start is generally made at the pistol shot, fired by the official starter. Each boat has been assigned to a course, decided by lot. The winner has first choice and should make the most of the opportunity, considering position, tide, wind and other local conditions. No crew may go into another’s course.

If the course is not straightaway, each boat must turn around the turning stake in its own course.

Besides an official starter, there is an umpire who judges the races; a judge or judges of the finish.

The different kinds of crews are: Single—one oarsman; doubles—two oarsmen, each pulling two oars; pairs—two oarsmen each pulling one oar; fours—four oarsmen each with one oar; eights—each with one oar.

Paddling

Closely allied to rowing is paddling. This is done in a canoe by one, two, or more people. If by one, she seats herself in the stern, facing the bow; if two, one is in the stern and one is in the bow, back toward the stern. There are rarely more than three or four in a canoe, the average being two people to a canoe.

Rowing is eagerly participated in by the girls at Wellesley College. The formation of the star shows how proficient they have become in handling the oars.