I've raced both for multiple years (5 sweep and 8 sculling) and have raced every boat class for both. As far as smallest boats go, I'd say a pair requires a massive amount of co-ordination between rowers, a single is almost more of a psychological battle and can be an extremely sensitive boat (especially with a USP in your case). In terms of level of technical difficulty I don't think there's a huge amount between them, just the devil of the detail is a bit different and it requires time in either case. Going up the boat classes, I'd say sculling probably requires more finesse (especially in a quad) as they move faster for fewer people whereas in sweeping it feels like you have a bit more time per stroke. Tbh I don't find either particularly more difficult, I just prefer to scull; I've done it longer, love the single and have raced it longer than anything. Although I will say that with regards to switching between the two, I've found sweepers find it a lot harder to transition than the other way around.
Many have commented on the mental aspects of a single. I would agree. I would argue it's finer (and more of them, given you've got to manage both sculls) movements for sculling than sweep, though undoubtedly a pair is quite tricky. There is an argument that the double is the most technical boat - more to synchronise - but there's not much in it either way; developing competetive speed in either is hard. I've never looked at any data, but I've always thought singles are actually the most physically demanding boats - yes they are more dynamic (i.e. can change speed more rapidly with the application and removal of power), but there's less momentum. Sustaining speed is taxing. Very good point about the differences in the drive.
I generally find that single scullers have a better feel for the boat and the water, with the possible exception of pair rowers. It’s also the case that the bigger the boat the more poor technique can be hidden. That applies to both sculling and sweep. The least functional rowers are those who only sweep on one side. Having been a sculler and sweep rower for fifty years the overall degree of difficulty is much the same. The nuances are what are different.
The more difficult one is whichever you are less used to. Just at dusk when all the competitive teams have gone home, the water is like glass and there is nothing but you and the wildlife, single sculling has a beauty and purity that is hard to beat.
"The more difficult one is whichever you are less used to." I think this is a big part of it, and also whatever you learned first. I started sculling later in life (early 40's!) after having been a competitive sweep rower at my university in my early 20's. I have now raced all boat classes both sweep and scull, and for me sculling is always more difficult. With sweep, I don't have to think, the muscle memory has been ingrained, I could probably sweep in my sleep, but sculling, I have to think every stroke.
I just find single sculling gets a bit psychologically taxing, purely because you're alone. Physically it might be easier to get the boat moving just because of not having a cox when sculling. But, when working with other guys there's more weight but then you have that dedication to the other guys. I personally find working with other lads way more satisfying, particularly in a four.
I feel like and all of my crew mates have this understanding that sculling is harder. Because of the two oars there is just much more to control and think about especially for a beginner. In a four or an eight I feel like sweeping is easier, because you dont have to be technically that advanced and the main focus is on your physical ability and your erg score, especially in the eight. But 2- is without a doubt the hardest boat, just because you have to be in very good sync with your partner to not have a terrible time.
I showed up at my club and the only thing I could do is scull. Even though it was a very stable boat but I freaked out! However, although we haven't been able to get on the water yet this year I have committed to learning how to scull. My biggest problem was feathering with both hands.
you’ll love the catlike reflex you develop in a single. A can falls from a shelf and you nab it in midair without even thinking about it ...only from working a single.
Sculling is the only version of our sport you can do alone on the water. For me, it was how I learned. I far prefer the double sculls to anything else. Sculling instills oarsmanship/boatsmanship in a way a coxed shell simply doesn't. The next best thing is an coxless pair I think but single and double sculling are pure, and certainly harder, in my opinion. Plus, rudders are for wusses.
I’ve raced the most in the single, quad and eight, so I am originally a sculler but I have experience with both. I think sculling is a bit more precise technically, especially in the single. By that I definitely don’t mean sweeping is very easy technically, but I still think sculling improves your boat feel. Also, it is true that it’s easier to learn how to sweep once you’re good at sculling. Something that I do find interesting is that every session is harder in a single (and I have by far the most experience in the single), as you automatically push harder for some reason.
Having done both I'd say sculling is technically harder to master as a skill because you are 100% in control of the boat and how it moves in the water. In a pair you only have 50% control of the boat but you have to work with your partner and communicate/compensate with them so both of you are producing the 100% to get the boat to move. Also in single sculling you have the personal mental battle (a bit like your isolation ergos) to apply the power each stroke with the balance and only yourself to blame if you have a bad stroke. You have the same challenges in the pair but a problem shared is a problem halved. It's a great debate and find it great reading these other comments. #yamsquad
I did my learn to row on sculling, but I love sweep, I absolutely love sweep, an 8+, 4 or a pair 😢 miss it so much, can’t keep sculling with all the paddle boarders hoarding the river, the mini 1500m stretch we have.
In a single it is all about you, you can not blame anybody but yourself, and you can not depend on others! it is the singular most individual testing of the body, mind, and the moment.
Not so much easier or harder but the smaller the boat the more u learn. I find i learn so much more about boat movement in the scull particularly is you have a speed coach. You get that instant feedback. Big lesson i have learned is the lighter i can make it feel the faster i go
I think the most notable difference is that in hard conditions sculling is way more difficult because you can’t lift the oar from the water as much as in sweeping and if your hands get wet things get really bad.
I love pairs (even have a tattoo of one on my arm), but I think rowing in the single is easier as you’re totally in control of both sides and the only person you have to trust to keep the boat steady is yourself (also I think catching a crab in a pair can be a lot more disastrous). I spent late 2016 to early 2019 pretty much only rowing pairs, and would only jump in the sculling boats (including singles) at regattas. During that period, I felt unsteady and weak when sculling because of having to control two oars, and not having one massive oar to lock on to (that’s what I love about sweep - the power). The most recent 2019/20 season however I spent most of my time in the single as it was a weak point for me (more mentally than physically). I also didn’t want to limit myself to just sweep when I’m looking to be selected for things, and I wanted my performance at regattas to be a sole reflection of my effort and not a combination of me and someone else - this was a factor in not being selected for a crew in the 2018/19 (and my performance in the single was poor as I didn’t train it so it was hard for selectors to gauge my individual abilities). I actually think this switch has been very rewarding and has lead me to become a more motivated and independent rower, and it has helped my mental strength immensely. I still row in a pair, and I think my performance in it has improved as I’m not solely relying on the motivation of having someone else in the boat to get me through the tough times (although... that does help), as I know I have done it on my own that many times. I think there’s some great mental benefits from rowing at least 50/50 single/other things, and in my own opinion it’s the mental aspect that is what separates the good athletes from the best
Did the Diamonds and the Goblets and found both equally brutal really :-) Think I did my best ergos when I was single-sculling a lot, seemed to train me better but it might just be whatever suits your particular physiology.
A lot of the guys have said the same. When you are given say 20k to do, the guys in the 8 finish much much faster than the singles!! Imagine all the extra gains! #yamsquad
A coxless pair is technically harder to master than a single scull. As long as you can balance a single you should be able to push it along effectively. But a pair requires a very high degree of finesse to go fast and straight.
Sculling is simply the most difficult out of all the boats, more technical, more physically exhausting, more psychological....the top coaches in the world know this.
Im in a similar situation but flipped- I'm 16 and I've been sweeping for a year and sculling for about two months. Sculling is much better on the back and evenness in the muscles. But, both are lovely in their own ways.
Sculling is simple. Just hold the left hand at the same level as the right around the finish, just like what a good sweep crew would. Almost everybody seems to want to scull to a different rule than that, with their left hand deliberately higher, trying to tip it over to the right every stroke finish. That unbalancing action each finish does not help, either in scull or in sweep. It makes the whole thing a whole lot more exciting, a whole lot more complicated, whether sculling or sweep.
why would anyone want to do that? I mean that's not how you learn it. The left hand goes only slightly over the right hand in the middle where the hands cross.
Sweep is a lot harder on your own.
I've raced both for multiple years (5 sweep and 8 sculling) and have raced every boat class for both.
As far as smallest boats go, I'd say a pair requires a massive amount of co-ordination between rowers, a single is almost more of a psychological battle and can be an extremely sensitive boat (especially with a USP in your case). In terms of level of technical difficulty I don't think there's a huge amount between them, just the devil of the detail is a bit different and it requires time in either case.
Going up the boat classes, I'd say sculling probably requires more finesse (especially in a quad) as they move faster for fewer people whereas in sweeping it feels like you have a bit more time per stroke.
Tbh I don't find either particularly more difficult, I just prefer to scull; I've done it longer, love the single and have raced it longer than anything. Although I will say that with regards to switching between the two, I've found sweepers find it a lot harder to transition than the other way around.
TheLoneSculler very well said, exactly what I was thinking
well to start of rowing, it is certainly better to scull, but if you are kinda good at sculling, it is pretty easy to learn how to sweep
Many have commented on the mental aspects of a single. I would agree. I would argue it's finer (and more of them, given you've got to manage both sculls) movements for sculling than sweep, though undoubtedly a pair is quite tricky. There is an argument that the double is the most technical boat - more to synchronise - but there's not much in it either way; developing competetive speed in either is hard. I've never looked at any data, but I've always thought singles are actually the most physically demanding boats - yes they are more dynamic (i.e. can change speed more rapidly with the application and removal of power), but there's less momentum. Sustaining speed is taxing. Very good point about the differences in the drive.
I generally find that single scullers have a better feel for the boat and the water, with the possible exception of pair rowers. It’s also the case that the bigger the boat the more poor technique can be hidden. That applies to both sculling and sweep. The least functional rowers are those who only sweep on one side.
Having been a sculler and sweep rower for fifty years the overall degree of difficulty is much the same. The nuances are what are different.
The more difficult one is whichever you are less used to.
Just at dusk when all the competitive teams have gone home, the water is like glass and there is nothing but you and the wildlife, single sculling has a beauty and purity that is hard to beat.
"The more difficult one is whichever you are less used to." I think this is a big part of it, and also whatever you learned first. I started sculling later in life (early 40's!) after having been a competitive sweep rower at my university in my early 20's. I have now raced all boat classes both sweep and scull, and for me sculling is always more difficult. With sweep, I don't have to think, the muscle memory has been ingrained, I could probably sweep in my sleep, but sculling, I have to think every stroke.
I just find single sculling gets a bit psychologically taxing, purely because you're alone. Physically it might be easier to get the boat moving just because of not having a cox when sculling. But, when working with other guys there's more weight but then you have that dedication to the other guys. I personally find working with other lads way more satisfying, particularly in a four.
I feel like and all of my crew mates have this understanding that sculling is harder. Because of the two oars there is just much more to control and think about especially for a beginner. In a four or an eight I feel like sweeping is easier, because you dont have to be technically that advanced and the main focus is on your physical ability and your erg score, especially in the eight. But 2- is without a doubt the hardest boat, just because you have to be in very good sync with your partner to not have a terrible time.
I showed up at my club and the only thing I could do is scull. Even though it was a very stable boat but I freaked out! However, although we haven't been able to get on the water yet this year I have committed to learning how to scull. My biggest problem was feathering with both hands.
That's great to hear Guy! Good luck! #yamsquad
you’ll love the catlike reflex you develop in a single. A can falls from a shelf and you nab it in midair without even thinking about it ...only from working a single.
I have yet to see it! dropped a mug yesterday! #yamsquad
@@CameronBuchan ten thousand reps
Sculling is the only version of our sport you can do alone on the water. For me, it was how I learned. I far prefer the double sculls to anything else. Sculling instills oarsmanship/boatsmanship in a way a coxed shell simply doesn't. The next best thing is an coxless pair I think but single and double sculling are pure, and certainly harder, in my opinion.
Plus, rudders are for wusses.
I’ve raced the most in the single, quad and eight, so I am originally a sculler but I have experience with both. I think sculling is a bit more precise technically, especially in the single. By that I definitely don’t mean sweeping is very easy technically, but I still think sculling improves your boat feel. Also, it is true that it’s easier to learn how to sweep once you’re good at sculling. Something that I do find interesting is that every session is harder in a single (and I have by far the most experience in the single), as you automatically push harder for some reason.
Having done both I'd say sculling is technically harder to master as a skill because you are 100% in control of the boat and how it moves in the water. In a pair you only have 50% control of the boat but you have to work with your partner and communicate/compensate with them so both of you are producing the 100% to get the boat to move.
Also in single sculling you have the personal mental battle (a bit like your isolation ergos) to apply the power each stroke with the balance and only yourself to blame if you have a bad stroke. You have the same challenges in the pair but a problem shared is a problem halved.
It's a great debate and find it great reading these other comments. #yamsquad
I did my learn to row on sculling, but I love sweep, I absolutely love sweep, an 8+, 4 or a pair 😢 miss it so much, can’t keep sculling with all the paddle boarders hoarding the river, the mini 1500m stretch we have.
It is amazing to see so many people working on their fitness now, even if they sometimes get in the way! #yamsquad
In a single it is all about you, you can not blame anybody but yourself, and you can not depend on others! it is the singular most individual testing of the body, mind, and the moment.
Not so much easier or harder but the smaller the boat the more u learn. I find i learn so much more about boat movement in the scull particularly is you have a speed coach. You get that instant feedback. Big lesson i have learned is the lighter i can make it feel the faster i go
I think the most notable difference is that in hard conditions sculling is way more difficult because you can’t lift the oar from the water as much as in sweeping and if your hands get wet things get really bad.
Bath looks stunning
I love pairs (even have a tattoo of one on my arm), but I think rowing in the single is easier as you’re totally in control of both sides and the only person you have to trust to keep the boat steady is yourself (also I think catching a crab in a pair can be a lot more disastrous). I spent late 2016 to early 2019 pretty much only rowing pairs, and would only jump in the sculling boats (including singles) at regattas. During that period, I felt unsteady and weak when sculling because of having to control two oars, and not having one massive oar to lock on to (that’s what I love about sweep - the power). The most recent 2019/20 season however I spent most of my time in the single as it was a weak point for me (more mentally than physically). I also didn’t want to limit myself to just sweep when I’m looking to be selected for things, and I wanted my performance at regattas to be a sole reflection of my effort and not a combination of me and someone else - this was a factor in not being selected for a crew in the 2018/19 (and my performance in the single was poor as I didn’t train it so it was hard for selectors to gauge my individual abilities). I actually think this switch has been very rewarding and has lead me to become a more motivated and independent rower, and it has helped my mental strength immensely. I still row in a pair, and I think my performance in it has improved as I’m not solely relying on the motivation of having someone else in the boat to get me through the tough times (although... that does help), as I know I have done it on my own that many times. I think there’s some great mental benefits from rowing at least 50/50 single/other things, and in my own opinion it’s the mental aspect that is what separates the good athletes from the best
Sorry this is massive!!! Just love rowing so much ahahahah
Love it Molly! Thanks for the great response #yamsquad
Did the Diamonds and the Goblets and found both equally brutal really :-) Think I did my best ergos when I was single-sculling a lot, seemed to train me better but it might just be whatever suits your particular physiology.
A lot of the guys have said the same. When you are given say 20k to do, the guys in the 8 finish much much faster than the singles!! Imagine all the extra gains! #yamsquad
A coxless pair is technically harder to master than a single scull. As long as you can balance a single you should be able to push it along effectively. But a pair requires a very high degree of finesse to go fast and straight.
That's correct
Pairs and singles are the hardest boats to master in rowing
@@DiogoSantos-zt5vl I've always had the maxim that if you can row those two well, you can row anything
@@thelonesculler This is why many universities break their eights down into pairs for early season training.
In my opinion sweeping in harder physically, but the single is much harder mentally, especially during those long sessions alone on the river.
Sculling is simply the most difficult out of all the boats, more technical, more physically exhausting, more psychological....the top coaches in the world know this.
I'm a sculler and my opinion is that sculling is harder than sweeping because you can put all your strength in a stroke
Interesting. I would disagree that you can put more strength into either. I would say they are similar in that regard #yamsquad
I personally think the motion of sculling is harder than sweeping but 2- is harder than 1x
I'm only 14 so start sweeping this season and I can't wait, but sculling is great
you'll realise sweep is so much better
Im in a similar situation but flipped- I'm 16 and I've been sweeping for a year and sculling for about two months. Sculling is much better on the back and evenness in the muscles. But, both are lovely in their own ways.
Nothing beats a well-rowed pair
Sculling is simple. Just hold the left hand at the same level as the right around the finish, just like what a good sweep crew would.
Almost everybody seems to want to scull to a different rule than that, with their left hand deliberately higher, trying to tip it over to the right every stroke finish.
That unbalancing action each finish does not help, either in scull or in sweep. It makes the whole thing a whole lot more exciting, a whole lot more complicated, whether sculling or sweep.
why would anyone want to do that? I mean that's not how you learn it. The left hand goes only slightly over the right hand in the middle where the hands cross.
I always hated sculling, princially in the single!
I reckon sculling is harder technique, but because sweeping is simpler you can hurt yourself more
Sculling
I'd rather be in a single than a pair...but I'd rather be in a four than a single :-)
Как же жаль что я ничего не понимаю, похоже пора учить английский (