Sculling, sweep rowing and boat classes
World Rowing · 2025Sculling uses a pair of oars per rower; sweep rowing uses a single oar per rower. Boat-class notation describes the number of rowers and the equipment: x indicates sculling, while a plus or minus indicates whether a sweep boat carries a coxswain. The coxswain is additional to the rowers.
The rule
Sculling uses a pair of oars per rower; sweep rowing uses a single oar per rower. Boat-class notation describes the number of rowers and the equipment: x indicates sculling, while a plus or minus indicates whether a sweep boat carries a coxswain. The coxswain is additional to the rowers.
In practice
Recognised classes include single and double sculls, pairs, quadruple sculls, fours and eights, with coxed variants where listed. An eight carries a coxswain. Race only in the boat class entered: a similar hull or crew size does not make sculling and sweep events interchangeable. The programme determines which recognised classes are actually offered.
Sources & approach ↗