Does rowing crew have much to do with weight?

Question

Today I got asked to join my schools rowing team. I have NO knowledge of this sport at all. I'm just wondering, how does ones weight effect the sport? I'm not sure if the crew team will want a lighter person or heavier person. Or does it matter at all?

Answer 1

Well if you want to be a womens lw you have to be under 130 for men its 160 and coxs have to be atleats 110. hw are 160+ for men and 130+ for     s.  it may effect you on the erg a little with your splits but thats about it. if its fat then u dont want it- if its muscle u want the wieght. you want lots of muscle-crew is a hard sport. and u wanna be tall. but im 102 and 13 and i can pull a 2:04 on my 2k wich is good for a novi     .

Answer 2

if you dont weigh that much, and are pretty smart you may want to consider becoming a coxswain

if you want to be a rower, then yes it will be more diffucult if you weigh less. you cant pull as hard, but since you have less weight to put into it you wont be expected to pull hard

it is a sport mostly for people that have weight behind then or are super strong

eventually at the college level it wont be to your advantage to be small/weigh less. for now its okay.

i weigh 120

Answer 3

Weight does have an effect on rowing, as you can see from the answers preceding my own. But, if you're new to the sport, I wouldn't worry too much about it; I've heard/seen stories of people losing weight and/or gaining muscle mass after joining. A novice coach on my team, whom I don't always agree with, tells his girls around recruiting time that he doesn't want slow, nonathletic people etc. I think that's my main disagreement with him, and it might be a little personal (and besides, I think for a novice coach its a little lazy to have that mindset; its their job to mold you into a great athlete, not just expect them to come knocking at their door). When I joined crew, I had never really heard of the sport either and I had never really gotten into a sport before, but I persevered. I ended up losing about 30-40lbs (but don't be concerned, I had a lot to lose and I also gained muscle) and now I'm in the top boat. There have also been coxswains on my team who have switched to rowing and vice-versa. Weight, although a factor in rowing, can be worked around and fixed, just don't get too concerned about it unless it becomes an obvious issue. Good luck!

Answer 4

It has to do with pulling your weight you will need to have lots of stamina and work out well in the gym as well as being able to row well.

Answer 5

Coxswain (steersman): brains, leadership, motivational ability, small size/weight.

Rowers: high strength to weight ratio. Not too light, as usually they are not as strong as someone larger.  But very strong light athletes are welcome. And incredibly strong big athletes.

I rowed in boats with varied physiques from 5'7" and 165 lbs, 6'7" and 180 lb, 6'0 and 205 lbs, 6'0" and 145 lbs, 6'4" and 210 lbs, 6'0 and 230 lbs.  One international oarsman was 6'7"

and 270 lbs.



You need to be able to move in syncrony with others, have great endurance for 7 minutes or more for racing, and good strength with that endurance.