Power is increased througout the first stroke up to three-quarter pressure at the finish.
It is important to row this stroke right out cleanly and not to rush on to stroke two. The second stroke is rowed from half slide, also with no body swing, it is a quick jab. Then the slide is built up over the subsequent strokes, and body-swing is gradually introduced after about stroke five. By about stroke thirteen the crew will have settled into a racing rhythm, or 'Stride'. One does not want to try to do too much on the start, the most important thing is to row cleanly and together and establish a rhythm.