Single scull

A single scull is a rowing boat which is designed for a single person who propels the boat with two oars, one in each hand. The term 'single scull' usually refers to the sport of competitive rowing: a skiff has a similar layout but is generally wider and slower, and more suited to rougher water (such as the sea) or carrying a load.

The single scull is one of the classes recognized by the International Rowing Federation and the Olympics, who set the minimum weight of the boat as 14kg (30.8lbs): the average length is around 8.2m (27ft).

It is the slowest category of racing boat, and competitors are recognised by other rowers as among the toughest, both physically and mentally: single sculling is sometimes known as 'king's class'.

Single sculls are also used for the training of team rowers, serving primarily to enhance the rowers' technique. The main reason for this is that in a single scull a single person in the boat is responsible for all movement in the boat and therefore has direct feedback on the effect of their movements on balance and speed. Single sculling time trials and races are sometimes used to measure individuals' rowing ability for selection into larger boats, since each rower's ability can be measured directly and there is no contribution from other crew members. However sculling ability and sweep-oar rowing ability are not the same, and a powerful and accomplished sweep-oar rower may not be able to demonstrate their ability in a single scull. It should be noted, however that some skills cross both disciplines, especially sculling to sweep oar. For the vast majority of rowers, sweep oar ability is very close to sculling proficiency

See also

• Rowing (sport)
• Sculling

External links

• Book - Essential Sculling
• Craftsbury Sculling Center, Vermont
• Xeno Muller Olympic Gold & Silver Medalist sculling coach, California
• Rowing Faster, by Volker Nolte