A single scull (or a scull), abbreviated as a 1x, is a
racing shell
In watercraft, a racing shell (also referred to as a ''fine boat'' (UK) or simply
a ''shell'') is an extremely narrow, and often comparatively long, rowing boat specifically designed for Rowing (sport), racing or exercise. It is equipped with lon ...
designed for a single person who propels the boat with two
oars
An oar is an implement used for water-borne propulsion. Oars have a flat blade at one end. Rowers grasp the oar at the other end.
The difference between oars and paddles is that oars are used exclusively for rowing. In rowing the oar is connecte ...
, one in each hand.
Racing boats (often called "shells") are long, narrow, and broadly semi-circular in cross-section in order to minimize drag. They have
rigger
Rigger may refer to:
* One who attends to the rigging of a sailing ship
* Rigger (entertainment), those who tend rigging in stage performance (theater, film, concert, etc.)
* Rigger, a digital media artist who creates character rigs for animation ...
s, which apply the forces exerted by the sculler symmetrically to each side of the boat and (usually) a fin towards the rear which helps prevent roll and yaw. Originally made from
wood
Wood is a structural tissue/material found as xylem in the stems and roots of trees and other woody plants. It is an organic materiala natural composite of cellulosic fibers that are strong in tension and embedded in a matrix of lignin t ...
, shells are now almost always made from a
composite material
A composite or composite material (also composition material) is a material which is produced from two or more constituent materials. These constituent materials have notably dissimilar chemical or physical properties and are merged to create a ...
(usually
carbon-fibre reinforced plastic
Carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (American English), carbon-fibre-reinforced polymers ( Commonwealth English), carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics, carbon-fiber reinforced-thermoplastic (CFRP, CRP, CFRTP), also known as carbon fiber, carbon comp ...
) for strength and weight advantages.
Recreational single sculls tend to be shorter and a little wider than racing boats and can have a slightly flattened hull shape to provide more stability. Recreational single sculls can be made of a variety of materials including carbon fiber, fiberglass, wood or rotomoulded polyethylene.
The single scull is the 2nd slowest category of racing boat (faster than the coxed pair), and competitors are recognised by other rowers as among the toughest, both physically and mentally: single sculling is sometimes known as 'king's class'.
The single scull is one of the classes recognized by the
International Rowing Federation
World Rowing, also known as the World Rowing Federation (officially FISA; ), is the international governing body for rowing. Its current president is Jean-Christophe Rolland who succeeded Denis Oswald at a ceremony held in Lucerne in July 2 ...
and the
Olympics
The modern Olympic Games (Olympics; ) are the world's preeminent international sporting events. They feature summer and winter sports competitions in which thousands of athletes from around the world participate in a variety of competit ...
, who set the minimum weight of the hull at 14 kg (30.8 lbs): the average length is around 8.2 m (27 ft).
Single sculls are also used for the
training
Training is teaching, or developing in oneself or others, any skills and knowledge or fitness that relate to specific useful competencies. Training has specific goals of improving one's capability, capacity, productivity and performance. I ...
of team rowers, serving primarily to enhance the rowers' individual technique and watermanship. The main reason for this is that in the single scull the sculler is responsible for all movement in the boat and therefore receives direct
feedback
Feedback occurs when outputs of a system are routed back as inputs as part of a chain of cause and effect that forms a circuit or loop. The system can then be said to ''feed back'' into itself. The notion of cause-and-effect has to be handle ...
on the effect of their movements on balance and speed.
Single sculling time trials and races are sometimes used to measure individuals' rowing ability for selection into larger boats, since each rower's ability can be measured directly and there is no contribution from other crew members. However sculling ability and sweep-oar rowing ability are not the same. Powerful and accomplished sweep-oar rowers may be unable to demonstrate their ability in a single scull, where balance and technique are more critical.
A single
Thames skiff
A Thames skiff is a traditional River Thames wooden rowing boat used for skiffing. These boats evolved from Thames wherry, wherries in the Victorian era to meet a passion for river exploration and leisure outings on the water.
Construction
The ...
has a similar layout to a single scull but is clinker-built with fixed seats and tholes instead of outriggers and can be
skiffed for leisure outings or in competitive races.
Major competitions
*
Wingfield Sculls
The Wingfield Sculls is a Rowing (sport), rowing race held annually on the River Thames in London, England, on the The Championship Course, Championship Course from Putney to Mortlake.
The race is between single scullers and is usually on the ...
(1830–)
*
World Sculling Championship
The World Sculling Championship (1863–1957), evolved from the Championship of the Thames for professional scullers.
Only the sport of boxing claims an older Championship of the World. It is notable that Jack Broughton, the "Father of Boxing", t ...
(1831–1957)
*
Diamond Challenge Sculls
The Diamond Challenge Sculls is a Rowing (sport), rowing event for men's single sculls at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. First run in 1844, it is open to male scullers from all eligible rowin ...
at
Henley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta (or Henley Regatta, its original name pre-dating Royal patronage) is a Rowing (sport), rowing event held annually on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. It was established on 26 March 1839. It diffe ...
(1844–)
*
Rowing at the Summer Olympics
Rowing has been part of the Summer Olympics since its debut in the 1900 Games. Rowing was on the program at the 1896 Summer Olympics but was cancelled due to bad weather. Only men were allowed to compete until the women's events were introduce ...
(1900–)
*
World Rowing Championships
The World Rowing Championships is an international Rowing (sport), rowing regatta organized by International Rowing Federation, FISA (the International Rowing Federation). It is a week-long event held at the end of the northern hemisphere summer ...
(1962–)
See also
*
Double scull
A double scull, also abbreviated as a 2x, is a rowing boat used in the sport of competitive rowing. It is designed for two persons who propel the boat by sculling with two oars each, one in each hand.
Racing boats (often called "shells") ar ...
*
Quad scull
A quadruple sculling boat, often simply called a quad and abbreviated as a 4x, is a racing shell used in the sport of competitive rowing. It is designed for four people who propel the boat by sculling with two oars, or "sculls", one in each h ...
References
{{World champions – Lightweight men's single sculls
Rowing racing boats