How Well Do You Know ETHS Rowing?

Think you know ETHS Rowing? Whether you’re a varsity rower, brand-new novice, parent, coach, or just someone who has spent a lot of time standing along a river yelling at boats, see how many of these you know.

1. How many rowers are part of ETHS Rowing this fall?

A. About 50

B. About 75

C. More than 100

Answer: C. ETHS Rowing has grown to roughly 110 athletes, including more than 40 novices. Not bad for a program that had only about 20 rowers just a few years ago!

2. What does it mean to “catch a crab”?

A. Your oar gets caught incorrectly in the water

B. You miss the start of a race

C. You tip the boat over

Answer: A. And despite the name, no seafood is involved. A bad crab can stop the boat abruptly and occasionally send a rower backward.

3. How long is a standard sprint race?

A. 1,000 meters

B. 2,000 meters

C. 5,000 meters

Answer: B. A standard sprint race is 2,000 meters, about 1.24 miles. Fall head races are generally longer and are raced against the clock.

4. True or False: Rowers can see where they are going.

Answer: Mostly false. Rowers face backward, toward the stern, while the boat travels in the opposite direction. That makes the coxswain’s job of steering particularly important. It also explains why you probably don’t want eight rowers operating your family car.

5. How long can an eight-person racing shell be?

A. About 25 feet

B. About 40 feet

C. Around 60 feet

Answer: C. An eight can stretch roughly 60 feet, yet it’s incredibly narrow. That’s why timing and balance matter so much. One rower moving at the wrong moment can affect the entire boat.

6. What is ETHS Rowing’s newest official milestone?

A. A new boathouse

B. Becoming an official ETHS varsity sport

C. Hosting the Olympics

Answer: B. In May 2026, ETHS Rowing officially earned varsity status, a huge milestone in the program’s growth.

7. What is the most important person in the boat?

A. Stroke seat

B. Coxswain

C. Bow seat

D. The rower whose parents remembered to bring snacks

Answer: Trick question. Every seat matters. A fast boat requires everyone working together, which is one of the things that makes rowing such a unique sport.

Although after a long regatta, there is a pretty strong argument for D.