Learn to Scull
About Learn to Scull
Classes come in a 5 pack for new rowers. They are 1:1 classes scheduled at hours convenient to the instructor and student.
Choose from 2 locations:
Rocketts Landing - 4708 Old Main Street, Richmond, VA
Robious Landing - 3800 James River Road, Midlothian, VA
VBC Women sculling at Henley
Sweep vs Sculling
SWEEP ROWING
At VBC, we offer group Learn-to-Row classes for sweep rowing, where each rower uses one oar. Sweep rowing is a great way to learn the basics and get comfortable with the sport. As your skill progresses, you can move to sculling where each rowers use two oars.
Sweep rowers work in pairs with a coxswain (2+) and pairs without (2-), fours with a coxswain (4+) and fours without (4-) and the eight (8+), which always carries a coxswain. The eight is the fastest boat on the water. A world-level men's eight is capable of moving almost 14 miles per hour.
SCULLING
Rowers with two oars – one in each hand – are scullers. There are three basic sculling boats: the single – 1x (one person), the double – 2x (two) and the quad – 4x (four).
Athletes are identified by their seat in the boat. The athlete in bow is seat No. 1. That's the person who crosses the finish line first (which makes it easy to remember – first across the line is No. 1 seat). The person in front of the bow is No. 2, then No. 3, No. 4, No. 5, No. 6, No. 7 and No. 8, a.k.a. the stroke. The stroke of the boat must be a strong rower with excellent technique, since the stroke sets the rhythm and number of strokes per minute the rest of the crew must follow.
Classes are held at both boathouses and are 12 sessions. The spring sweep session includes racing in our home regatta against other novice boats.
Learn to row shoving off