DIRECTIONS IN A BOAT:
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Stern - the back end of the boat
Bow - the front end of the boat where the bow ball is located
Port - the left side of the boat from the coxswain's view; the right side from the rower's perspective as
the rower is facing the stern
Starboard - the right side of the boat from the coxswain's view, the left side from the rower's perspective
The coxswain always faces the direction the shell is going while the rowers face the rear
ROWER POSITIONS (SEATS):
Each seat in the boat is numbered according to its position going from bow to stern. In an eight the seats
would be 1 to 8 & cox. Two seats, however, are more commonly given a different name. The #1 seat, that
closest to the bow, is called "bow seat". The rowing seat closest to the stern is called "stroke". Rowers are
often called by their seat number, both by the coach and coxswain, so always be aware of your seat.
The coach or coxswain also will often call for groups to row according to their place in the boat; ie: bow
pair or stern four.
Additionally, rowers need to be aware of which side they are rowing, whether port or starboard as rowing
commands are often given by side, such as "check it on port".
In an eight, the rowers in Bow, 2, 3, & 4 are referred to as the “bow four”. 5, 6, 7, and stroke are
referred to as the “stern four”. The rowers in 3, 4, 5, and 6 are referred to as the “engine room”.
THE BOAT:
Hull - the actual boat. The hull is very thin and fragile. It scratches and can be punctured easily. Be
especially careful when moving the boat, always listening to the commands of the coach and the coxswain.
NEVER step over the hull; always walk around.
Decks - there are both stern and bow decks on the shell. These decks form compartments to trap air for
flotation in the event of swamping or flipping.
Vents - There are vent hatches in both the bow and stern decks. When closed they trap air; when open
they allow air flow to dry out any moisture in the fore and aft compartments. It is the responsibility of the
coxswain and bow seat to close the deck vents. There are often vent hatch covers under the seats also.
These allow access for adjustments to the seat tracks.
Gunwales - these are the top outer edges of the boat. A lifting point
Keel - runs the length of the hull, down the center, for structural support.
Ribs - run perpendicular to the keel, against the hull, for structural support. A lifting point.
Seat - on wheels that allow forward and back movement. Also a rower's place and # in the boat.
Tracks - guides in which the seat wheels roll (also called slides).
Foot Stretcher - adjustable plate to which the shoes are attached, allowing adjustment for length.
Foot Pad - space between the front of the tracks that is the only place you step when entering the boat.
Rigger - metal or composite "arm" attached to the exterior of the boat that holds the oar.
Oarlock - "U" shaped plastic part in which the oar is placed.
Gate - screw-down rod that keeps the oar from coming out of the oarlock.
OARS:
Sweep vs Scull – Sweep oars are used in boats with 1 oar per person. Sculling oars (a.k.a. sculls) are used in
boats where 1 person holds 2 sculls, one in each hand. Sweep oars are much longer than sculls.
Shaft - the long straight main section of the oar.
Blade - the flat part of the oar that enters the water. Either hatchet shaped or, in older oars, tulip (Macon
blades).
Handle - the oar part you hold on to; may be wood or composite with rubber grips.
Sleeve - plastic plate about 2/3 up the shaft that goes in the oarlock.
Collar/Button - plastic piece attached around the sleeve that is pressed against the oarlock keeping the
oar in the proper place.
Clam - a clip-on plastic piece that fits against the collar adjusting the load on the oar.
ROWING TERMS:
Catch - The beginning of the rowing stroke where the oar blade is set square in the water.
Drive - The part of the stroke where the blade is pulled through the water.
Finish - The final part of the stroke where the blade comes out of the water.
Release - Pushing down on the handle to raise the blade out of the water at the end of the stroke to begin
the recovery.
Recovery - The part of the stroke where the rower comes slowly up the slide to return to the catch.
Ratio – The ratio of time on the drive versus time on the recovery.
Feathering - Rotating the oar in the oarlock with the inside hand so that the blade is parallel to the water.
On a sweep oar, the inside hand (left hand for starboards, right hand for ports) does the feathering. The
outside hand does not rotate.
Leg Drive - Pushing with the legs against the foot stretchers on the drive. Leg drive is the primary force to
move the oar, followed by the back and arms.
Rushing The Slide - Coming up the slide to the catch too fast causing one's weight to be thrown toward the
stern causing the boat to check (slow down).
Missing Water - Not getting the blade into the water soon enough causing one to miss part of the beginning
of the stroke (sometimes called rowing into the water).
Washing Out - Raising the blade out of the water before the finish of the stroke.
Skying - Coming to the catch with the blade too high above the surface of the water.
Run - The distance the boat moves after the release while the rower is on the recovery.
Puddles - Made when the blade is released from the water. Run can be judged by the distance between
puddles.
Crab - When the oar is not released cleanly from the water. A rower "catches a crab" when the oar gets
stuck in the water at the finish.
COXSWAIN CALLS
Coxswain - The person sitting in the stern of the shell who steers, gives commands to the crew and passes
on the coach's directions to the crew. A good coxswain is just as important as the rowers and through good
steering, calling a good race plan and motivating the crew can make the difference between winning and
losing. When the coach or the coxswain is talking no one else should be saying a word.
Way Enough – Stop rowing (instantly). Blades are flat on the surface of the water. On land it means stop
walking.
Check It Down - A call for all rowers to square their blades and drag them through the water in order to
slow down or stop the boat. Sometimes called after Way Enough when needed to stop quicker. The call
can also be made for certain rowers only, such as, "check it on port" or "stern pair check it down". "Check
it down hard" usually means there is an emergency and the boat needs to be stopped immediately.
Hold Water - A call for the rowers to square their blades in the water while the boat is sitting still. This
keeps the boat in a set place.
Let It Run - A call for all rowers to sit with blades off the water at the finish, allowing the shell to glide
through the water. Done correctly, the boat will be set (balanced) and no blades will be touching the
water. A good drill for correcting set problems, especially those related to lean and handle heights.
Power 10 - A call for the rowers to take "power" strokes, giving it everything they can for a certain number
of strokes. This is used in races to make a move on another crew and, in practice, to build stamina and let
rowers realize both how hard they can pull and how that affects the boat's speed. Can also be a "Power 20"
or more.
Sit Ready at the Catch – Rowers sitting forward at the catch position with blades square in the water ready
to begin the leg drive.
Sit Ready at the Finish – Rowers sitting back at the finish position with blades square in the water ready to
release and feather.
Q&A
What do I bring to practice?
Water Bottle – Large soft sided.
What do I wear?
All clothing should be tight fitting: no baggy shorts, sweatpants, bulky jackets, etc.
Loose clothing can get stuck on the oar or caught in the slide.
Cold or Rainy Weather –
Dress in layers: Hat, t-shirt, long sleeve shirt or pull-over fleece and/or jacket,
running pants, socks, running shoes
Warm Weather hat, t-shirt, shorts or unisuit, cheap sunglasses if needed, socks, running shoes
Do I wear gloves?
No. Proper grip on the oar is imperative and gloves inhibit good grip.
Will I get blisters on my hands?
99% chance YES. Your hands will toughen over time though and blister will not occur as often. Do not pop
blisters. Treat them and wrap with tape prior to practice.
Will we have practice if it rains?
Yes. However, safety is a priority and we will not go on the water in severe weather or thunderstorms.
Be prepared for a dryland practice on the ergs.
Do I need to be able to swim?
Yes. Passing a swim test is mandatory. No exceptions. Return the swim test forms to Mr. Clements.
Do we wear lifejackets while rowing?
No. Lifejackets for racing rowing shells are exempt under Federal Coast Guard Rules. Lifejackets inhibit the
proper movement of a rower.
What do I do if I fall out of the boat or it capsizes?
Stay calm and don’t panic. The boat and oars will float. Always stay with the boat even if land is close by. Listen
to your coach for instructions.
What do I do if I won’t be at practice?
Simply email me at [email protected] to let me know. I usually plan boat line-ups ahead of time, so advance
notice is appreciated when possible.
Additional questions?
Please feel free to email me at [email protected].