Heavyweights only faster is they are more effective rowers. Brute strength does not equate to speed. Many light schoolboy crews have seen off heavyweight crews, l know.
Heavyweights are stronger, lightweights are more efficient. Freshman heavyweights are more prone to slowing the boat down with their weight while moving forward, due to improper technique.
Lightweight is defined as any rower under 160 lb (male) or 130lb (female) who chooses to participate in the category. This is supposed to separate the leaner rowers from the heavyweights who often carry much more muscle. For this reason, most experienced heavyweight boats are faster than experienced lightweight boats. Unexperienced boats, however, often benefit from a more lightweight crew because they have less boat weight to carry in the stroke.
The more strength.. The faster stroke rate.. If you have a high stroke rate without as much power, then you'll end up with bad ratio. The harder you pull, the faster your drive.. The faster your drive, the faster your rest/catch can be.
