In sweep rowing, spread is defined as the distance from which to which point?

• A. Distance from pin to center of boat
• B. Distance from pin to pin
• C. Distance from rigger to seat
• D. Width of the beam at the boat

Answer: (C)

Spread is the fore‑aft distance between the oar riggers and the rower’s seat. This rigging measurement sets how far the oar sits from the rower’s body, shaping the leverage available during the stroke. A proper spread helps the rower reach the catch with a comfortable hip and spine position and lets the blade enter and exit water with a consistent angle. If the spread is too large, you overreach and the blade angle can become inconsistent; if it’s too small, reach is restricted and the stroke mechanics suffer. The other options describe measurements unrelated to how the oar is positioned relative to the rower (such as hull width or pin locations), so they don’t define spread.