The lowdown

Biking

Coaches and rrainers and FISA officials on their bikes form a large crowd along the bank of the racing course during each race. Coaches and trainers often cheer for their crews, while technical officials observe the boats.

Kiss and cry zone

A special reserved area at the finish line where the crews meet their families after the race.

Boat weight

The weight of each boat is measured after the race in the boathouse. Boats found under weight often face a re-match or elimination.

Volunteer

Volunteers, lying on their stomach on the start board, are responsible for holding the boat in place before the race. They can only let go after the race starts.

Adaptive rowing

Adaptive rowing is a special category of races for those with physical disabilities. The adaptive rowing at the Beijing Paralympics will trail the Beijing Olympics by a month at the same venue.

Height

Along with basketball, volleyball and water polo, rowing is a sport for giants. Masculine rowers over 2 m tall have a natural advantage when paddling.

Lightweight

Rowing has a special weight category called "lightweight" which the governing body FISA introduced to encourage more universality to the sport, especially among nations with smaller people. Men's crews all weigh under 72.5 kg, while women must be under 59 kg.

The ergometer is widely used as both an indoor exercise device to strengthen a rower's physique, as well as the standard tool for judging a rower's speed.