Divisions
Races classify into divisions: Men’s (M), Women’s (W), Heavyweight (HWT) or Open, Lightweight (LWT), etc. The divisions divide into 8+’s, 4+’s, and so on. There may be separate heavyweight and lightweight divisions. Lightweights may require a weigh-in before the start of the regatta.
The boats are usually shown on regatta schedules as follows,
NM4 - Novice Men's 4
NM8 - Novice Men's 8
1M8 - First Men's 8
2M8 - Second Men's 8
3M8 - Third Men's 8
FM8 - Freshmen Men's 8
LM8 - Lightweight Men's 8
1W8 - First Women's 8
2W8 - Second Women's 8
OW4 - Open Women's 4
FW8 - Freshmen Women's 8
down to W1x and M1x.
A + is often used to indicated a boat with a coxswain.