åror

Åror is the Swedish plural of åra, meaning oars — long levers used to propel and steer non-motorized boats by pushing against water. In common usage åror denotes pairs or sets of oars used in recreational rowing, workboats and traditional watercraft.

An oar typically consists of a blade, a shaft and a grip. Blades vary in shape (spoon, square, hatchet) and size according to vessel type and rowing style. Shafts have been made from wood historically and from modern materials such as aluminum, fiberglass and carbon fiber for improved strength-to-weight ratio. Distinctions in rowing terminology include sculls (each rower uses two smaller oars) and sweep oars (each rower uses one larger oar).

Åror play roles both practical and sporting. In everyday use they propel small craft and are essential equipment for fishing and transport in regions with inland waterways. In sport, specialized oars and rigging are used in crew, sculling and coastal rowing, where blade design and material influence performance.

Historically oars have ancient origins, with evidence of use in Mediterranean, European and Asian maritime cultures. In Scandinavian contexts, wooden åror are associated with traditional fishing and folk boatbuilding. Care and maintenance include checking for cracks, preserving wooden surfaces with varnish or oil, and inspecting collars and locks that secure oars in oarlocks or tholes. The word åror remains the standard Swedish term for this fundamental nautical implement.