eight
A light, narrow rowing boat, especially one used in competitive rowing, steered by a cox, in which eight rowers each have two oars.
eight: the racing shell with eight oars and a coxswain
An eight is a competitive rowing shell built to carry eight rowers plus one coxswain, with each rower propelling the boat using two oars (one in each hand). The boat is long, narrow, and light, typically made from carbon fiber or wood-epoxy composite, and designed for speed on flat water. It represents the largest standard crew boat in Olympic and collegiate rowing programs.
The hull measures roughly 60 feet (18.3 meters) in length and weighs between 130 and 150 pounds (59 to 68 kilograms) without the crew. The beam, or width, is narrow, around 6.5 to 7 feet (2.0 to 2.1 meters), which makes the boat unstable if not handled with precise coordination. Each rower sits on a sliding seat that moves on a track, allowing them to use their legs as well as arms and torso to generate power. The oars themselves are typically 12 to 12.5 feet (3.6 to 3.8 meters) long and weigh around 15 pounds (6.8 kilograms) each.
The coxswain sits in the stern, steering via a rudder and calling commands to synchronize the crew. Coxswains are typically smaller and lighter than rowers, since weight carried by the boat slows it down. A good cox uses a microphone wired to speakers so rowers can hear commands over wind and water noise. The crew arrangement follows a standard numbering system: the stroke seat (closest to the stern) sets the pace, while the bow seat (nearest the bow) often rows on a different oar side to balance the boat.
Variants and use
The eight is raced at international level, including the Olympic Games, World Rowing Championships, and university regattas. Clubs operating in tidal rivers (such as the Thames or Charles River) may field eights for head racing over distances of 2 to 4 miles, while sprint racing typically covers 2,000 meters. The boat is fast but demanding: catching a crab (when a rower loses grip on the water mid-stroke) can capsize the hull or slow it dramatically. Eights are almost always rowed in a sweep configuration, where each rower handles one oar on one side, unlike doubles or pairs.
The name derives simply from the number of rowers. Other standard shells include fours, pairs, and singles, but the eight remains the flagship racing boat for club and university programs worldwide. Maintaining an eight is expensive, hulls cost between 30,000 and 80,000 dollars or more, depending on materials and manufacturer, so eights are typically owned by established rowing clubs or institutions rather than by individual athletes.