Rowing Competitions
Rowing and sculling are classified separately and every competitor, whatever his or her age, weight, or gender, (except coxswains who are not generally classified), has a separate status in each of the two disciplines. This status, based on points won, determines where the individual fits in senior racing and the total of the points held by the crew as a whole (excluding the cox) determines their senior classification. There are other classifications of events to which the points system does not apply, but every crew has a status determined by points in senior rowing.
Only competitors who are registered competition members of British Rowing and who are members of, and are representing, an affiliated Rowing club, or who represent a club affiliated to another association recognised by British Rowing or FISA, may compete in races and regattas held under these Rules. Competitions take place across the UK with over 300 British Rowing sanctioned events; competitors are not limited to their region but can compete across the UK in a suitable category.
In the spring/summer, competitions are generally side by side races (up to six abreast) over distances from 500 metres to 2000 metres - the distance that the top international crews race over in international competitions (including the Olympics). These races are known as Regattas.
The autumn/winter is spent doing time trials which are raced over a longer distance where crews are set off one at a time and their time over the course ranks them at the finish. This form of race is called a Head.
Indoor competitions can take place all year round and the bigger events are run during the autumn/winter period as rowers use this time to compete indoors to supplement their water training.
