scullers

Scullers are rowers who propel racing shells by using two oars, one in each hand. This form of rowing, called sculling, contrasts with sweep rowing, where each rower uses a single oar and teams of rowers alternate sides.

In competition, sculling boats include the single scull (1x), the double scull (2x), and the quadruple scull (4x). Each rower wields two oars—the oars attach at the gunwale via riggers and oarlocks. Most international sculling events are contested without a coxswain, with steering and pacing managed by the rowers themselves in the boat.

Scullers train to develop balance, rhythm, and blade work, coordinating the catch, drive, and finish phases of the stroke. The sport emphasizes technical precision and aerobic endurance, and equipment such as sliding seats and lightweight shells is optimized for speed.

World Rowing, formerly the International Rowing Federation (FISA), oversees the sport at the international level, including the World Rowing Championships and Olympic qualification. Sculling has a long history dating to 19th-century European boating clubs and remains a central discipline in competitive rowing alongside sweep rowing.