Travelling with really big bits of Equipment

Some of the big bits of equipment.
© FISA

Have you ever wondered how rowers on the other side of the world from Europe get their boats to the World Cup regattas? Does the men’s single sculler tuck his skiff under his arm and hope he doesn’t wallop too many people in the check in line? Does the women’s eight stand in line with 20 metres of boat on the crew’s shoulders and call it a teambuilding session? Do the coxswain and coach stagger behind with the oars?

For the Australians it all began back in May when the national team boats were loaded into containers in Sydney. Six weeks later they arrived in Hamburg, were unloaded from the containers, loaded on to boat trailers and driven to the regatta site. Meanwhile, the crews trained in spare boats back at the training centre and a week before the World Cup, checked onto a plane to Europe, with just a bit of personal luggage.

These boats will spend the summer in Europe and will only be shipped back after the World Championships in Seville.

New Zealand shipped boats in June to get to Europe in time for the third World Cup next week, although Under 23 single sculler, Duncan Grant, has found a different way to get his skiff to Genoa, Italy. The 8.2 metre single is to be broken down into three pieces and travel with him as luggage. “All I’ve got to do is put in 12 bolts and I’m away,” he told the New Zealand Christchurch Press.

Canada and the United States have similar planning puzzles. Both countries have to load up containers and ship boats, usually 3 – 4 weeks in advance. When crews that are to compete internationally are decided at the last minute, logistics get tricky. These countries often lease boats once the athletes arrive and the event organising committees make sure boats are available. Sometimes visiting nations sell their boats rather than ship them back to their home country.

For the World Championships in Seville, the United States will ship a 45-foot container full of boats, tools, oars and bicycles. They use boats from a variety of manufactures.

Meanwhile local countries like France and Germany do a bit of derigging, load up a trailer a few days before the regatta, and drive the boats down the autobahn in time for the athlete’s arrival.

So next time you watch an international rowing event make note of the worldly bits of equipment out there on the water and the effort it takes to get it there.