The Rowing TutorThe Rowing Tutor
Boats & Kit
Getting out on the water means learning a new vocabulary as well as a new skill. Boats come in different classes, each with its own feel, and even the blades and the footwear have details that matter. Our guides explain what each piece of kit does before you spend any money.
If you are starting out, your club will usually supply a boat and blades, so you only need the right clothing and a few essentials in your bag. Later on, you might think about buying a boat of your own, and that decision deserves some care.
This section also covers looking after your equipment. Shells and blades are costly and easily damaged, so regular cleaning and a careful check before each outing will keep them safe and working well for years. Always follow your club’s safety rules and your coach’s advice when you are on the water.
Best place to start
Boats & KitRowing Boat Types: A GuideA guide to rowing boat types: every class code from 1x to 8+, typical lengths, minimum racing weights, coastal and fixed-seat boats, and how to choose.Boats & KitThe Best Kit to Wear for RowingThe best kit to wear for rowing: close-fitting layers, shorts or an all-in-one, what to wear at each temperature, the erg, and what to avoid in a boat.Boats & KitHow to Choose a Rowing BladeHow to choose a rowing blade: sculls or sweep, cleaver or Macon, blade length, carbon or wood, and the inboard and rigging numbers to check before you buy.
Boats
Boats & KitEasy Rowing Boat Maintenance and How to Do ItA simple rowing boat maintenance routine: 5 minutes after each outing, 15 minutes weekly, one seasonal service, with checks for riggers, tracks and hull.Boats & KitFinding a Rowing Boat for SaleFinding a rowing boat for sale: where to look, a used-boat inspection table, serial number checks, questions for the seller and UK registration.Boats & KitHandy Rowing Boat AccessoriesThe handy rowing boat accessories worth buying first: tools, spares, cover, slings, lights and rate meters, sorted by club rower, owner and coach.Boats & KitHow Big Should Your Rowing Shell Be?How big your rowing shell should be: match the maker's crew weight band first, then boat class, stability and storage. Sizes, weights and a worked example.Boats & KitHow to Maintain Your Rowing ShellHow to maintain a rowing shell: hull cleaning and waxing, rigger and hardware checks, storage support points, and when to send damage to a boatbuilder.Boats & KitPre-Race Rowing Boat Checklist: Cleaning and InspectingA pre-race rowing boat checklist: clean first, then inspect hull, bow ball, riggers, heel restraints and oars. About 20 to 30 minutes, the day before you race.Boats & KitRow Boat vs Sailboat: Which Is the Better Choice?Compare a rowing boat and a sailboat on cost, effort, speed, storage, skill and safety, to decide which suits where and how you want to spend time on the water.Boats & KitRowing Boat Types: A GuideA guide to rowing boat types: every class code from 1x to 8+, typical lengths, minimum racing weights, coastal and fixed-seat boats, and how to choose.Boats & KitRowing Boat vs Rowboat: What's the Difference?Rowing boat vs rowboat: a rowboat is a wide, stable fixed-seat boat, while a sliding-seat shell is about 27 cm wide at the waterline and built for speed.Boats & KitRowing vs KayakingRowing vs kayaking: boat sizes, muscles, learning curve, cost, UK waterway licences and safety compared, with a clear verdict on which to pick.Boats & KitThe Anatomy of a Rowing Shell: Understanding the PartsThe anatomy of a rowing shell: hull, bow ball, riggers, gates, seat, slides, footplate and fin, what each part does, and the rigging numbers that go with them.Boats & KitThe Benefits of Owning Your Own Rowing ShellThe benefits of owning your own rowing shell: a boat rigged for you, on your schedule. Plus storage, insurance and transport costs, and a cost-per-outing sum.Boats & KitThe Best 5 Rowing Shell ManufacturersFive well-known rowing shell builders: Empacher, Filippi, Hudson, Pocock and Vespoli, and how to choose between them for your club, crew or budget.Boats & KitWhat Is a Rowing Kayak?A rowing kayak is a kayak fitted with a sliding seat and oars, so you row rather than paddle. See how it works, who it suits and what to check before buying.Boats & KitWhat You Need to Know Before Getting in a Rowing BoatBefore getting in a rowing boat, know the capsize drill, your club's swim test, cold-water risks, what to wear and how to step in without tipping the boat.
Blades and equipment
Boats & KitHow to Choose a Rowing BladeHow to choose a rowing blade: sculls or sweep, cleaver or Macon, blade length, carbon or wood, and the inboard and rigging numbers to check before you buy.Boats & KitHow to Clean Your Rowing DockHow to clean a rowing dock safely: a 7-step routine, a cleaning rota, what to use on timber, plastic and metal, and how to stop slime coming back.Boats & KitHow to Clean Your Rowing OarHow to clean a rowing oar or scull: a 2-minute rinse after each outing, a deeper wash, sleeve and grip care, what to inspect and how to store it.Boats & KitHow to Maintain and Care for Your Rowing EquipmentA care schedule for rowing equipment: pre-outing boat checks, oar care, RowErg chain oil every 50 hours, kit washing, storage and fault logging.Boats & KitThe Difference in Equipment for Sweep and Sculling RowingSweep and sculling kit compared: oar length, inboard, span and spread, boats, gates and tools, with the measurements and sums clubs actually use.Boats & KitThe Essential Rowing Equipment for BeginnersThe essential rowing equipment for beginners: fitted clothing, flat shoes, a bottle, sun cream and a dry change of clothes, plus what you can skip.Boats & KitWhy Heart Rate Monitors Are Useful Rowing EquipmentHow a heart rate monitor helps rowers pace training, avoid overdoing easy sessions and track recovery, and how to choose between chest straps and wrist watches.
Clothing and kit
Boats & Kit10 Essential Items for Every Rower's Kit BagA checklist of 10 items for your rowing kit bag: 10 mm and 13 mm spanner, finger tape, waterproof plasters, dry clothes, snacks, layers and sun cream.Boats & KitRowing Glasses: Do You Need Them?Do you need rowing glasses? What to buy, which lens suits which light, UV marks to look for, prescription options and when to take sunglasses off.Boats & KitRowing Gloves: Do You Need Them?Do you need rowing gloves? Pros and cons, how they affect grip and blisters, when fingerless or full gloves help, and why most rowers build calluses instead.Boats & KitRowing Shoes: The OptionsYour rowing shoes options: fixed boat shoes, flat trainers for the erg and grippy dock footwear, plus heel restraint limits and how to get a safe fit.Boats & KitThe Best Kit to Wear for RowingThe best kit to wear for rowing: close-fitting layers, shorts or an all-in-one, what to wear at each temperature, the erg, and what to avoid in a boat.Boats & KitWhat to Give Rowers as a GiftWhat to give rowers as a gift at every budget, from under £20 to a Concept2 RowErg: bottles, hand care, spanners, books, kit and training plans.
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