Rowing: Fancy getting out on the water?

The essential kit to get into your scull

Sir Steven Redgrave, one of Britain's best-known sportsmen, and proud owner of five Olympic gold medals, has set the standard for rowing in this country. Responsible for bringing the sport to the forefront of the nation's imagination, he is a near-impossible act to follow. But you don't need to be over 6ft and aspiring to a medal at the next Olympics to take up the sport. Heavyweight, lightweight, junior and even veteran classes mean that anyone can have a go. Whether you are rowing in an eight, a four, a pair, or simply sculling on your own, it is an excellent sport for all-round fitness that uses most major muscle groups without placing undue strain on joints, as your weight is always supported by the boat.

The experts will be battling it out at Henley Royal Regatta early next month, but clubs are spread across the country and the Amateur Rowing Association (ARA) can put you in touch with your nearest one. Membership will cost anything from £50 to £300 a year, but will normally include the use of facilities such as a gym, indoor rowing machines, coaching, boats and oars.

Oars

The surface area of the blade at the end of the oar has increased over the years, from the "pencil" oar, beloved of themed pubs, to the more substantial "macon", widely used for 30 years until 1991, when Concept 2 introduced the brutal-looking "hatchet" blade. Now ubiquitous at international regattas, the "hatchet" is more stable in the water, and if rowed properly, will make the boat faster. It is more than coincidence that Cambridge University's recent run of Boat Race victories began when they switched to "hatchet" blades.

SpeedCoach

This device provides you with all the information you need to train and race effectively. A small propeller attached to the hull of the boat and a magnet fixed under the sliding seat send data to a monitor at the rower's feet which displays speed, number of strokes per minute, time elapsed and distance travelled. The Speedcoach also has a memory feature which lets you review your performance. It is small and easy to install, and you won't need to drill holes in the bottom of your boat.

Pogies

Cold and blistered hands are a constant problem. While hardening hands with white spirit and strapping them up with micropore tape may help blisters,woolly gloves do not solve the problem of cold. Tempting as it may seem, it is almost impossible to row well in gloves – even weightlifting gloves with rubber grips are no good. The only solution to cold hands is to invest in some pogies. Developed by the Canadians, who regularly row in sub-zero temperatures, these are basically big mittens that slide over your hands and the oar handle.

Clothing

The classic rowing look – a pair of thick cotton shorts and a zephyr (singlet) in club colours – has long been consigned to history. Tight-fitting Lycra is now the preferred gear, as it reduces the chance of catching fingers in loose-fitting tops or getting baggy shorts jammed under the seat. Summer kit is easy: all you need is a Lycra all-in-one. Thermal long-sleeved tops, warm hat and leggings are essential for winter training. Shoes are not necessary as they are already bolted into the boat.

The Boats

You don't get much weight for your money. A one-man sculling boat only weighs about 14kg but will set you back between £2,000-£3,000. Most modern boats are made from carbon fibre. The most distinctive are the yellow hulls of the German manufacturer Empacher, which made up 60 per cent of the fleet at the Sydney Olympics. However, there is also a wealth of British boatbuilders. Redgrave won his latest Olympic gold in a boat made by Aylings in Weybridge, Surrey, and British lightweight crews have tended to use Sims of Nottingham.

The Facts

Getting started: Contact the ARA (020 8237 6700 or www.ara-rowing.org).

Equipment: www.rowing.co.uk is a good on-line shop for most kit.

Clothing: Godfrey (0115 986 4600); Spartan (01684 565966). All-in-ones from around £30, pogies from £10.

Speedcoach: Nielsen-Kellerman (0115 981 8097), £215.

Reading: "Regatta", ARA magazine