The essence of rowing eights is to create a crew so unified, so synchronous, so perfectly in tune that its members no longer function as individuals but as a single, seamless unit. That image, however, belies the specialties within, as each seat conforms to a particular set of skills; the stroke man, for instance, who sits at the front of the boat, sets the cadence. The next six seats are known as the engine room – providing maximum power to the boat. The last two are for setting balance. Though all positions are important, it takes eight oarsmen and a coxswain to win as seen here with this crew from the Worlds 2013.
When all eight rowers are in unison, the boat slices through the water in long, fluid strides. A championship oarsman, however, doesn't merely row hard; he listens and feels for timing and matches the stride with his long, arcing stroke, maintaining the boat's smooth rhythm. Every oarsman is the bridge between the bow and stern.
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