What started as a transportation method in ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt, has since turned into one of America’s favorite sports — rowing. Rowing is the first team sport contested in the U.S. and continues to be a popular competitive sport among many schools.

There are lots of different types of rowing events, from side-by-side racing over 2,000m as seen at the Olympic and Paralympic Games to head races, sprints, tours, and challenges.

1. Regattas

Possibly the most recognised form of rowing event, regattas are traditionally held in the warmer summer months. Regattas come in a huge range of styles, sizes, and distances. From local town regattas or private matches to national and international competitions.

2. Head racing (Time Trials)

Head racing takes the form of time trials held over longer courses than that of regattas. Head racing initially started as a way for crews to keep a focus on their training during the colder and darker period over winter. Crews set off one at a time and are timed from start to finish. The largest of this form of event in the UK is the Annual Head of the River Race, first held in 1925, regularly attracting up to 420 men’s eights from the UK and Internationally.

3. Touring/Recreational rowing

Touring and Recreational rowing is offered by many clubs across the country as a great alternative to competitive rowing. Both offer the opportunity to get a group of people out on the water to explore a new area by boat and is generally done in more stable boats. Tours can be of any length, from a few hours to a few days, or even a week. For touring, you need to have some rowing experience and a good level of fitness, particularly if you are covering longer distances. The beauty of touring is that everyone gets a chance to row and to cox on scenic stretches of water.

4. Challenge Events

These type of events can be easily described as events that challenge the rower. Events are generally held over much longer courses and are unique in their concept. The Boston Marathon, for example, is held over 50km and is unique in that crews must carry their boat over a lock at a certain point of the course. Other events focus more on the fun and frivolity of the event and can be compared to mass participation running events. Events such as this include the Great River Race held on the Thames or the Great Tyne Row held over 25km of the River Tyne.

5. Fun events

Usually held with minimal structure and with committee boats (boats provided by the host). These events have grown in popularity since the growth of stable boats in clubs. Many clubs now host scratch regattas where rowers are drawn in random crews to race each other or clubs enter a team to take part in multiple rounds over a much shorter distance. Some events are timed and can include skill stations around the course where crews have to perform a skill to progress. Popular events include the Explore Series which originated in the North East of England and Bradford RC’s “War of the Roses” regatta.