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
Read more about this topic: Glossary Of Rowing Terms
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