Oars
Rowers use oars to propel their shells. Sweep oars are longer than sculling oars, typically with carbon fiber handles and rubber grips (although some sweepers still prefer wooden handles). Sculling oars are almost never wood.
- Oar - The piece of equipment which each rower uses to propel the boat. In sweep rowing, each oar is approximately 12 feet long, lightweight, and well designed.
- Blades - The wide flat section of the oar at the head of the shaft. The two types are called hatched and spoon.
- Hatchets - (aka big blades or choppers or cleavers) These oar blades have a bigger surface area than the "standard" or spoon blades and have a hatchet or meat cleaver shape.
- Button - A plastic or metal fitting tightened on the oar to keep the oar from slipping thought the oarlock.