Glossary of Rowing Terms - Boat Classes

Boat Classes

In competitive rowing events, abbreviations are used for different boat classes.

Weight

• L, LWT or Lt: Lightweight rowing
• If not present the crew is open weight

Age

• J: Junior (Under 19 years of age)
• B: Senior B (Under 23 years of age)
• Masters: over 27, includes a letter designation for the average age of the crew:
  • A - 27 years of age and older
  • B - 36 years of age and older
  • C - 43 years of age and older
  • D - 50 years of age and older
  • E - 55 years of age and older
  • F - 60 years of age and older
  • G - 65 years of age and older
  • H - 70 years of age and older
  • I - 75 years of age and older
  • J - 80 years of age and older
• If none of these abbreviations are present the crew is Senior A
• These age categories are effectively common to both FISA (Bye-Law to Rule 27) and USRowing (Rule 4-104) rules. USRowing also designates a AA category for ages 21–26.
• There are no age restrictions for coxswains and their age is not factored into the average age of the crew.

Gender

• M: Men's
• W: Women's
• Mixed: Equal numbers of either gender (excluding coxswain)

Crew Size

• 1, 2, 4, 8: The number of rowers in the crew. It is common to use Roman numerals, especially when referring to a VIII.

Discipline

• x: Sculling boat
• If not present then the boat is sweep-oar

Coxwain

• +: Coxed (with coxswain)
• -: Coxless (without coxswain)
• If not present then the boat is coxless, except for an eight.

Examples

• M8+ = Men's eight
• W4- = Women's coxless four (or "straight four")
• LM2- = Lightweight men's coxless pair
• BM1x = Men's single sculls under age 23
• JW4x = Junior women's quad
• Masters WC2x = Masters women's double sculls with average crew age between 43-49
• Mixed Masters 8+ = Eight with 4 women and 4 men as rowers and a coxswain of either gender