Open Water Rowing 

Here is a great article about the sport of open water racing by Steve Wells, owner of Evergreen Rowing, Tacoma WA. Evergreen Rowing is a factory authorized dealer for Maas open water racing shells.  www.evergreenrowing.com

About Open Water Racing
by Steve Wells 

Open water racing in light, responsive single and double sculling shells has been enjoyed in New England, California and the Pacific Northwest since the early '80s. Slowly but surely folks are gaining an appreciation for the legitimacy and outright fun of this dimension of the sport. It's common to have more than 100 shells in an open water race.

As a rigorous and demanding activity, open water racing is not “recreational” rowing, and the boats used can be distinguished from both flat water racing shells and recreational boats. Open water racing shells are designed with a relatively low center of gravity, minimal volumes in their cockpit, self bailing capability, positive flotation, and rigger and footstretcher designs that enable rapid self-rescue. Single open water racing shells weigh between 32 and 40 pounds fully rigged, depending on hull size and materials used (fiberglass versus the lighter carbon or kevlar fabric).

Just as there's a big difference between the Tour de France and a mountain bike race, there are significant differences between flat water and open water racing. Open water races tend to be over greater distances, usually between 5 and 25 miles. They use a mass start with all boats, including many that are paddled rather than rowed, starting at the same moment. Open water racing requires navigational and seamanship skills to cope with wind, tide, and current as you race over an irregular shaped course. Open water races proceed in conditions that often cause flat water races to be delayed or cancelled. And open water races typically have only one rule (other than safety requirements), and that is that you must have fun or risk disqualification. There's no prohibitively worded rule book. Post-race socializing is more the rule than the exception. It's a different sub-culture than the more tightly regulated and intense atmosphere at flat water regattas.

Photo's by Mike Lampi/ Sound Rowers.

And there are powerful similarities. Among the shared features are:

• focus on the safety of participants;
• high levels of aerobic fitness; and,
• good rough water sculling technique is the same as good flat water technique, though it's difficult to sustain and the consequences of lapses may be wetter.

Open water racing is a way for scullers to continue to enjoy competition in an environment conducive to warm friendships, camaraderie, and the simple joy of racing on the open seas long after they've shifted away from sprint racing in flat water shells. It's also a way for still competitive flat water racers to add variety to their sporting regimen. Many scullers enjoy both forms of racing, and why not?

Steve Wells is also Secretary of Sound Rowers Open Water Rowing and Paddling Club which sponsors about 16 races each year. www.SoundRowers.org .