rower

This term describes individuals engaged in the physical act of propelling a boat, ranging from casual leisure boaters to elite athletes. While it primarily denotes the person holding the oars, in a competitive crew context, it distinguishes the athletes providing the power from the coxswain, who steers and directs the boat without rowing.

In sporting contexts, the word carries a connotation of strength, endurance, and synchronization. It is used both for those in sculling (using two oars) and sweep rowing (using one oar), encompassing all participants in the athletic discipline regardless of their specific role in the boat.