Concept2 Forum

I row fours for my high school, and I was wondering what the difference between bow pair and stern pair is. I was 3 seat for a while and then I got switched to bow during the spring. is there a seating system? for instance is stern pair meant to be stronger/more skilled than bow pair?

Thanks

11starboard wrote:I row fours for my high school, and I was wondering what the difference between bow pair and stern pair is. I was 3 seat for a while and then I got switched to bow during the spring. is there a seating system? for instance is stern pair meant to be stronger/more skilled than bow pair?

Thanks

I can't speak for a 4, but in an 8, the middle 4, generally referred to as "the engine room," was usually seated with the biggest, strongest guys. The stroke, obviously, should be the one with the best timing and it helps a lot if the 7 seat is a good match. The bow pair have the job of lining up the shell before the start of a race, so they should be especially skilled in their blade work.

Bob S.

The short answer is, it depends (I know, I know). At the high school level, likely the rowers that are the strongest technique-wise will row stroke and 2 seat. Doesn't mean they're stronger physically.

I'll assume you guys sweep, could be a couple of things.


1. The rower you swapped with is heavier. You got shifted back to change the pitch of the boat (have the bow higher out of the water. If this is the case, your coach is likely going a little overboard)
2. How long have you been rowing together? Maybe the old bow seat was weak rowing starboard (or port depending how your shell is rigged) and your coach has confidence that you can perform equally rowing port or starboard.
3. This is the most likely reason. You have to have power balance between bow and stroke and 2 and 3 seat. If the power is matched then the boat will track straight and is most efficient. Otherwise your cox has to correct course and when that rudder starts getting used it upsets balance and robs power. If you have more power on port, your boat will veer to starboard and vice versa.

Take all this with a grain of salt. My advice is to just go talk to the coach and satisfy your curiosity.

Bob S. wrote:

11starboard wrote:I row fours for my high school, and I was wondering what the difference between bow pair and stern pair is. I was 3 seat for a while and then I got switched to bow during the spring. is there a seating system? for instance is stern pair meant to be stronger/more skilled than bow pair?

Thanks

I can't speak for a 4, but in an 8, the middle 4, generally referred to as "the engine room," was usually seated with the biggest, strongest guys. The stroke, obviously, should be the one with the best timing and it helps a lot if the 7 seat is a good match. The bow pair have the job of lining up the shell before the start of a race, so they should be especially skilled in their blade work.

Bob S.

Engine room. I like that much better than the coach calling us "The Meatheads". haha.

CanuckRower wrote:

Bob S. wrote:
I can't speak for a 4, but in an 8, the middle 4, generally referred to as "the engine room," was usually seated with the biggest, strongest guys.

Bob S.

Engine room. I like that much better than the coach calling us "The Meatheads". haha.

As a pint-sized oarsman (6'1", 172#) who was regulated to bow and 2 seat, I would have enjoyed hearing our coach call the middle four "meatheads."

Bob S.

All the responses are valid, however, this being high school - I suspect there isn't really much behind the decision in terms of power/size. Just seeing what line up works best in terms of matching up and moving the boat.

I rowed a 4+ in college. I stroked (6'3, 195 -200 lbs). 3 seat was 6'2, 205 lbs, 2 seat was 6'2, 180 lbs, bow was 5'11, 165 lbs.

We rowed a bucket rig. The way we were lined up just worked the best in terms of timing and matching up.