The rowing boat is the fastest sailing vessel propelled by the power of muscles. It is narrow, long and aesthetic. The team of the boat faces the stern (the only sports in which the participant faces the opposite direction of progress). Rowers sit on sliding seats while the legs push against a device called a foot stretcher. The oar or oars are fastened to a device called oarlock used to transfer power from the rower to the boat.
There are two kinds of rowing:
1. Sweep rowing in which each rower holds an oar that can be left or right.
2. Sculling in which each rower holds two small oars
8 standard boats were established which differ from one to another by the number of rowers, by the type of rowing (Sweep or Scull) and by the fact if there is a coxswain or not in the boat. Most of those 8 types are practiced in the Haifa Rowing Club, The eight standard types are:
- Single sculls
- Double sculls
- Straight pair or coxless pair
- Coxed pair
- Quad or quadruple sculls
- Straight four or coxless four
- Coxed four
- Eight - always with coxswain
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Rowing boats and oars are made from composite materials, the most advanced in the market, that enable the boat remain stiff while maintaining its light weight and the light weight of the oars.
The minimal weight of the boats is restricted by the International Rowing Federation. | 
