Is rowing always done in a team or is it common for an individual row a boat by himself/herself?

Question

Is rowing always done in a team or is it common for an individual row a boat by himself/herself?

Answer 1

Rowing- and sculling is rowing too... is very common  in singles (which of course is sculling) as well as in team boats (doubles and quads for sculling, pairs fours or eights for sweep rowing).

Competitive rowing is in all these classes of boats too, for age groups from Master's (27 and older), to open, to collegiate (although the varsity boats are sweep, they will do some sculling for skill development) and juniors.

Answer 2

Rowing (also called sweep/sweeping/sweep rowing) involves athletes with one oar each.  They always row in a boat with an even number of rowers:  

a pair (2 rowers, sometimes with a coxswain),

a four (4 rowers, sometimes with a coxswain). or

an eight (8 rowers and a coxswain)

Sculling (not done competitively at US universities AFAIK) involves athletes with two shorter oars each.  They can row in almost any number:

a single (one rower)

a double (two rowers)

a trey (very, very rare--three rowers)

a quad (four rowers, sometimes with a coxswain)

an oct/octet (rare--eight rowers and a coxswain)

Shells are designed for a specific number of rowers--e.g., two people would have a hard time rowing a shell meant for four--with the exception of certain recreational shells which have a drop-in (removable) seat-slide-rigger apparatus.  You can rig these shells for one or for two rowers.

I'm not sure if this is what you're asking, but a rowing team often consists of a good number of individuals who row a variety of boat configurations at a regatta, so you could be a member of the XYZ Rowing Club and race in a single.

Take a look at some of the boat manufacturers' sites to see the different types of shells:

www.hudsonboatworks.com

www.pocock.com

www.wintechracing.com

There are lots of other boatbuilders, and I'm not implying that these are the best, but you will get an idea of what the shells look like.

Answer 3

Easy...It will depend on boat. Organized competition is in singles, doubles and various sized teams. Recreation rowing is single oared. Be aware you will be facing the rear/stern. Kayaks and canoes allow you to face forward.