Rowing Definitions & Terminology - Rowing Terms of Art - River City Crew Rowing Definitions & Terminology Rowing Terms of Art Rowing, an ancient form of travel turned into competitive sport, debuted at the 1900 Games in Paris, the second Summer Olympiad. With the United States standing as the all-time medal leader in Olympic rowing and popularity on the rise for rowing as a collegiate sport, high school involvement and participation around the country is increasing.

SHELLS: Sculls (each rower has two oars) and sweep boats or shells (each rower has one oar) There are two basic types of boats Single - one rower with two oars (scull) Double - two rowers, each with two oars (scull) Quad - four rowers, each with two oars (scull) Pair - two rowers, each with one oar (sweep) Straight Four - four rowers, each with one oar (sweep) Four With - four rowers, each with one oar and a coxswain (sweep) Eight - eight rowers, each with one oar and a coxswain (sweep) DIRECTIONS IN A BOAT: 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". 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: Shaft - the long straight main section of the oar; usually composite. 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 - 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 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. Feathering - Rotating the oar in the oarlock with the inside hand so that the blade is parallel to the water. Leg Drive - Pushing with the legs against the foot stretchers on the drive. 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. 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. 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. Do you sometimes feel like rowing guinea pigs? Rowing Terms - Boathouse District You are here: Home » About Rowing » Rowing Terms Rowing Terms Rowing is a sport filled with strange and wonderful terminology. From catching a “crab” to “way enough,” here’s a quick run through some of the more common terms… Backsplash Backsplash is the minor splash that can happen when the rower’s oar blade enters the water at a less than optimum angle. Not only is it a sign of inefficient blade work, it gets fellow rowers wet.

Blade The blade is the flat surface of the oar, usually painted with the team’s colors. Blades are approximately 7 inches across and 24 to 30 inches wide. Chesapeake Boathouse blades are orange and blue. Bow & Bowball The bow is the front of a boat – the part that crosses the finish line first. Since rowers are seated facing backward, the bow of the boat is behind them. Look for the ball on the tip of the bow. Bucket Rigging The rigging of an eight or a four so that riggers 2 and 3 are on the same side. Catch The rowing stroke includes three distinct phases: the catch, the drive and the recovery. At the “catch” the rower’s blades are entering the water. Check Check is the slight amount of hesitation you’ll see in the boat as it’s being rowed. The rowers’ forward slide during the recovery interrupts the momentum of the boat. The rowers’ challenge is to slide forward with such control, the boat never checks. Coxswain The coxswain is the member of the crew who sits in a small seat either in the bow or the stern.

Often abbreviated to “cox,” this person steers the shell and coaches the rowers during a race. A skilled coxswain often means the difference between winning or losing. Coxswains are small, weighing between 110-135 lbs (women) and 120-165 lbs (men). It is traditional for crews to toss their coxswain into the water after winning a race! Crab A crab is the term rowers use when the oar blade gets “caught” in the water. It is caused by a momentary flaw in oar technique – and it has happened to anyone who has ever rowed. A crab may be minor, allowing the rower to quickly recover, or it may be so forceful that the rower is ejected from the boat. Often, crews must cease rowing for the rower to regain control of the oar. Deck The deck of the boat includes the covered portion of the bow and stern. Double (2x) A double is a two-person sculling shell (each person has two oars). A pair refers to a two-person sweep boat (each person has one oar).

Drive The rowing stroke includes three distinct phases: the catch, the drive and the recovery. At the catch, the rower’s blades are entering the water. During the drive, the rower “drives” back with his/her legs and pulls the oar through the water, propelling the shell forward. Feathering Feathering refers to the position of the oar blades as they are turned parallel to the face of the water to cut down on wind resistance during the recovery portion of the rowing stroke. Feathering too soon, before the blade has cleared the water, can result in a crab. Finish The finish is the final part of the rower’s stroke where the blade comes out of the water. “Finish” also refers to the end of a race, or to the way in which a crew completes a race as in “they had a strong finish.” Footstretcher The footstretcher is an adjustable bracket in the bottom of the rowing shell. Shoes are attached to the bracket giving the rower a way to secure his/her feet while rowing. German Rigging The rigging of an eight so that riggers 4 and 5 are on the same side while the others alternate.

Gunwale (gunnel) The gunwale is the top edge of the shell around the cockpit – the area where the rowers sit. The riggers are secured to the gunwale with bolts. Half Pressure The Stewards Foundation The Stewards Foundation Glossary of Rowing Terms Aligner - An official who is responsible for aligning boats evenly for a fair start. Blade - The surface of the oar that captures and displaces water. Spoon blades have a curved blade shape. Hatchet blades have flat-ended cleaver shape. Bow - The forward section of the boat; the end that crosses the finish line first. Also refers to the first seat rower, who occupies the seat farthest forward. Bow ball - A round rubber protrusion attached to the boat's bow for protection. Bow four - Seats one through four in the bow end of the boat. Bow pair - Seats one and two in the bow end of the boat. Bow-coxed boat - A shell configuration that places the coxswain near the bow instead of the stern. The coxswain lays nearly flat in this type of boat, so that only his or her head is visible.

The bow-coxed configuration reduces wind resistance, and provides improved weight distribution. Bucket rig - An rigging arrangement of an eight or four, where riggers two and three are on the same side of the boat. Button - A wide collar on the oar that prevents the oar from slipping through the oarlock. Cadence - The rowing stroke tempo. In a coxed boat, the coxswain often calls the the cadence to keep the rowers synchronized. Catch - Stroke phase at the instant the oar blade enters the water. The rower is at full compression up the slide, and tries to reach as far as possible to obtain a long stroke. The boat is at its greatest moment of instability during the catch, placing a premium on balance. Check - An abrupt deceleration of the boat caused by uncontrolled motion within the shell; usually a result of poor rowing technique. Check it down and Hold water - A coxswain's call that commands all rowers to drag their blades through the water perpendicularly, braking the boat. Collar - A ring around the oar sleeve, designed to position the oar and prevent slippage.

Course - A straight area of a body of water, typically four to eight lanes wide, marked with buoys for rowing competitions. An Olympic® course is 2,000 meters. High school races are usually 1,500 meters. An exception is the head race, which can be much longer (three miles or more) and follow a winding river course. Cox box - A battery-operated electronic device that combines a digital stroke rate monitor and elapsed time readout with a voice amplifier; the coxswain uses the cox box to manage the race and to make his or her commands more audible to the crew. The coxswain typically wears a headband-mounted microphone, which is attached by a wire to the cox box. Coxswain, cox - Pronounced "cox-en," The coxswain is the person that steers the boat. He/she is a coxswain or cox'n or cox and he/she is coxing a boat. A cox'n usually uses an electronic amplifier system called a CoxBox™. It not only amplifies the cox'n's voice through a speaker system, but it has a built in stroke rate meter and a timer.

Some boats, usually fours, may have a lie-down coxswain's position in the bow end instead of the sit-up position in the stern. He/she is very light so that the crew need not carry extra weight on the race course. Most school and collegiate leagues, as well as international rowing events, have a minimum weight for coxswains. The minimum weights are different for girls'/women's crew and boys'. Also, minimum weights may differ from schools to colleges, from league to league, and at international events. Your school or college coach will know the coxswain's minimum weights. A cox'n below minimum weight can still cox but must carry a bag of sand or other deadweight to compensate for the weight deficiency. Crab - A crab is an event when a rower or sculler is unable to extract the oar blade from the water at the finish of the drive (pulling phase of the stroke) and a sloppy stroke occurs. This can happen when a rower loses grip of the handle, makes an error in judging when to extract or release the blade from the water, or if the boat tips to the side and there's nowhere for the rower to lower his/her hands to extract the blade.

The result is usually a falter and some timing problems for a few strokes. However, an over-the-head crab is more serious. Its when the oar handle forces the rower onto his or her back and the handle goes over his/her head. This usually causes a great deal of disruption in the boat and in most cases the crew must stop rowing, recover the oar, and then proceed. Still worse, but very rare, thus there is no term for it, is an ejection. This may happen when racing and the boat is moving very fast. The rower catches a crab and the oar handle gets caught in the stomach causing the rower to be catapulted out of the boat. The crew must stop to collect the swimmer and then go on. Crew - American term for the sport of competitive rowing. Also used to refer to a particular rowing team. The term crew is used in American schools and colleges to designate the sport of rowing, such as Osprey Oars' Crew. When outside of the academic sphere, the sport is known as rowing, as in the United States Rowing Association. The British and European universities and schools have rowing clubsand not crew clubs or varsity crew.

When you use the term crew you shouldn't use the term team. Traditionally, crew means a team of rowers. To say crew team is redundant. You may say rowing team. Deck - The closed-over portion of the hull at the bow and stern. The deck sheds water and strengthens the hull. Sometimes still called the canvas, a reference to the material that shell decks used to be constructed of. Dig deep - To thrust an oar too deeply into the water, resulting in loss of power. Synonymous with knife-in. Double - Seats two oarsmen, each individual with one oar. View more information on boat types and sizes. Drive - Stroke phase during which the rower presses with his or her legs against the foot stretchers and pulls on the oar(s) to force the blade through the water and propel the boat. The drive phase is a coordinated full-body movement using the legs, back and arms. the rower remains upright during the first half of the drive. Midway through, after the knees come down, the rower leans back and pulls the oar(s) in with his or her arms. Ideal technique keeps the blade(s) just below the surface of the water and accelerates smoothly from start to the finish.

Eight, eight-man shell - Boat that seats eight rowers and a coxswain. View more information on boat types and sizes. Erg, erg machine - Short for ergometer, a piece of exercise equipment that provides an excellent land-based simulation of the motion and physical stresses of rowing. Rowers workout on erg machines to build their stamina and endurance. Modern erg machines usually have a digital readout that provides stroke rate, equivalent distance covered, split times and elapsed times. Erg test - An equivalent distance race simulation performed by an individual rower on an erg machine for a recorded time. Erg tests measure strength and conditioning progress, and aid coaches in selecting rowers for specific boats and seat positions. Erging - Exercising or simulating a race piece (for a time) on the erg machine. Feather, feathering - Rotating the oar in the oarlock so the blade is parallel to the water surface. Feathering the blade while it is out of the water minimizes air resistance. Finish - The last phase of the drive, just before the before the release. Power is coming mainly coming from the back and arms at the finish.

Freshman - A rower who is in the ninth grade in high school; though rowers in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades may compete in the freshman rowing class. The definition excludes students who have been retained in ninth grade for academic reasons. Coxswains of freshmen boats must meet this definition. FISA - The international governing body for competitive rowing, including Olympic® rowing, founded in 1892. The acronym stands for the official French name: Federation Internationale des Societes d'Aviron. In plain English: International Federation of Rowing Societies. Foot Stretcher - Also stretcher; an adjustable platform with two inclined footrests that hold the rower's shoes. The shoes are bolted into the footrests. The rower pushes his legs against the foot stretcher during the drive phase of the stroke. Four, four-man shell - Boat that seats four rowers, with or without a coxswain.View more information on boat types and sizes. FSRA - Florida Scholastic Rowing Association, the governing body of high school rowing in the State of Florida. FSRA is a non-profit organization that promotes high school-age rowing and hosts an annual state championship regatta.

FSRA allows participation by independent rowing clubs that are not directly affiliated with or officially sanctioned by a specific high school or county school system. Gate - A bar across the oarlock that keeps the oar in place. German rigging - A variation in the arrangement of oars in a sweep boat. Instead of alternating from side to side, two consecutive rowers have oars on the same side in a German-rigged boat. Also, see bucket rig. Gunwales - Pronounced "guh-nells," these are the top edges of the sides of the boat, where the riggers attach. Heat - A qualifying race within a specific race category (e.g. men's varisty eight). Head Race - In the fall season there are head races. The name comes from a traditional English race called the Head of the River. The first head race in the US was the Head of the Charles Regatta in Cambridge/Boston begun in 1965. Now there are many. These are usually open regattas with many events defined in any way the regatta committee wishes to. A junior in one regatta could be anyone under 19 years old, in another it could be defined as high school.

The distance can vary, but usually in the 3 mile range. Sometimes the race course is over a winding river like the Charles. The race is a timed event with each crew starting in single file and negotiating the race course as fast as possible. The start time and finish times are recorded and the elapsed time calculated. The fastest time wins. Sometimes in masters events there is an age adjusted handicap. Crews passing each other is usually exciting, particularly on a narrow river or tight bend. Crews don't really know how they placed until a printout of the times is posted. Henley Races - Henley races are named after a style of racing conducted at the famous Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames in England. The river is narrow at Henley so only two boats race at a time and the loser is eliminated and the winner goes on to the next round. This format is popular for narrow and/or short race courses in the U.S. Hull - The outer skin of a racing boat, usually constructed of fiberglass, wood or—more commonly today—carbon fiber. Keel - Centerline of the boat. Also refers to the lateral steadiness of the boat. An unbalanced boat is said to be off keel.

Layback - Degree of backward lean of the rower's body at the end of the finish. Let it run - Coxswain's call for all rowers to stop rowing, permitting the boat to glide through the water. Used after the boat crosses the finish line, and during drills to improve lateral balance. Lightweight - A racing category that refers to the bodyweight of the rowers. Under current FSRA rules (Fall 2002), the Lightweight class weight limits are 150 pounds for boys and 130 pounds for girls. Rowers are required to weigh-in wearing racing attire, and an average rower weight limit per boat is not calculated. Lunge - An abrupt lean of the body just before the catch, which can throw a rower oarsmen out of synch with the rest of the crew. Missing water - A late catch, resulting in a shorter drive and, thus, less propulsion of the boat. Match Racing format - Most schools and colleges have a match racing season (Spring). This is when two or three schools agree to race side-by-side on a straight, or as straight as possible, course that can fit on the local lake/river/bay.

The boats lineup abreast, standing still and a referee/starter, when satisfied that the crews are level and ready to start, will give the commands Attention... Go. The boats start from a standing stop and race in a lane either imaginary or marked by buoys for a set distance. First boat to reach the finish line is the winner. The international (Olympic) distance is 2000 meters (1¼ mile). High schools may race 1500 meters and master rowers 1000 meters. The Harvard-Yale Boat Race begun in 1852 is 4 miles and the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race begun in 1829 is 4¼ miles. A time is usually taken and the margin between boats is recorded when a flag at the finish is dropped or raised when the bow of each boat crosses the line. Many times the margins are given in lengths. A length is a boat-length. Visually, it is easy to estimate the distance by boat-lengths. One boat-length would be when the bow (front tip) of one boat is about even with the stern (aft tip) of another boat.

There could be multiples and fractions of a length: ¼ length, ½ length, ¾ lengths, 1½ lengths, 3 lengths, etc. (At the Henley Royal Regatta after a race with a margin of 4 or 5 lengths the result is recorded as easily.) A boat length is relative to the size of the boat in the race. View more information on boat types and sizes. Novice - A first-year rower. While novice high school rowers tend to be freshmen, the term precisely refers to a rower in his or her first season, without regard for academic grade level. FSRA eliminated the novice class from state championship competition in Fall 2002. Oar - A lever used to propel the boat forward. Rowers do not use paddles. Oarlock - A square latch that holds the oar at the outer point of the rigger. The oarlock is the pivot point for the oar; the fulcrum of the lever. Oarsman; oarswoman - A rower. About Rowing About Rowing Donate About Rowing NBRC uses sliding seat boats. Rowers harness the power of their legs. It’s a pushing sport.

They push against a fixed foot brace, thus sending their bodies into the bow of the boat as they drive the oars through the water. Rowing can keep you fit and healthy from childhood far into old age, and helps get us out in nature, both alone and with others, and celebrate our time on the planet. There are two kinds of rowing: sculling and sweep. NBRC supports both. Our club strives to invite everyone onto the water, in Learn-to-Rows, clinics, private lessons, training sessions, and race preparation. Sweep rowers each carry one long oar (11’-11.75’). Sweep boats, commonly called crew boats, carry 2, 4, or 8 rowers. The 8+ is the largest. (+ stands for the extra person in the boat, the coxswain, who steers, and commands the crew through a microphone and speaker system). A sweep boat rowed by two is called a pair, or 2-. (- means there is not a coxswain on board). Scullers carry one (shorter) oar in each hand (8.2’-9.8’).

Scullers can row singly (in a 1x), doubly (2x) or as a crew of four (4x*). Generally speaking, the bigger the boat, the more stable. Beginning scullers trying solo boats start in wider-hulled training boats (Aero), proceed to a thinner, tippier boat (Maas 24) and finally, with a certified coach’s permission, to our sole 27 and/or weight-appropriate racing single. Rowing terminology is fun to learn, and varies a little among clubs. Some commands are weigh enough, hold water, feather, and square. Part of the fun of rowing is following these commands to work with crews, coxswains and coaches to move a boat efficiently and beautifully through the water. To find out more about rowing, visit Rowing 101 | Arlington Crew Arlington Crew Rowing 101 General Information The boats (or shells) are basically of two types and reflect the two forms of rowing—sweep rowing and sculling.

In sweep rowing each rower handles a single oar (about 12.5 ft or 3.9 m long) in sculling a rower uses two oars, or sculls, (each about 9.5 ft or 3 m long). The word shell is often used in reference to the boats used because the hull is only about 1/8″ to 1/4″ thick to make it as light as possible. These shells are also rather long and racing shells are as narrow as possible while recreational ones can be rather wide. Most shells today are made of composite materials such as carbon fiber, fiberglass, or Kevlar. A few manufacturers still build wooden boats. Each rower has his back to the direction the shell is moving and power is generated using a blended sequence of the rower’s legs, back and arms. The rower sits on a sliding seat with wheels on a track called the slide. Each oar is held in a U-shaped swivel (oarlock) mounted on a metal pin at the end of a rigger. The rigger is an assembly of tubes that is tightly bolted to the body of the shell.

The exception to this is some European recreational boats called “inriggers” which have the oarlock attach directly on the gunwale. The subtypes of rowing shells are classified according to the number of rowers in the shell. Sweep Boats (each rower has one oar) These shells can have a coxswain—a person who steers the shell (using a rudder) and urges the rowers on. I have included in parenthesis the symbol used for each subtype along with some dimensions and weights. Coxed Pair (2+) Two sweep rowers with a coxswain. Coxless Pair (2-) Two sweep rowers without a coxswain. Coxed Four (4+) Four sweep rowers with a coxswain. Straight (or Coxless) Four (4-) Four sweep rowers without a coxswain. Steering is usually accomplished via a rudder that is attached to a cable that is connected to one of the rower’s foot stretchers (this an adjustable bracket to which the rower’s feet are secured). The coxless pair has a similar type of rudder setup.

Eight (8+/8o) Eight sweep rowers with a coxswain. Eights are 60+ ft (~18.5 m) long and weigh about 250 pounds (~114 kg). Sculling Boats (each rower has two oars) Only in rare cases do these boats have a coxswain. Steering is generally accomplished by applying more power or pressure to the oar(s) on one side of the shell. The hands overlap (usually left over right in the US) during part of the rowing cycle, or are always left in front of right. Single (1X) One rower or sculler. Singles are about 26 ft (8 m) long and less than a foot (0.3 m) wide. Racing singles can weigh as little as 30 pounds (~13.5 kg). There are heavier (~45 to 50 pounds), shorter and wider versions often referred to as recreational singles. Double (2X) Two scullers. Most racing doubles can be also used as a pair with a different set of riggers designed for sweep oars. When used as a pair a rudder is usually added.

There are also recreational versions of sculling doubles. Quadruple (4X) Four scullers. Often referred to as a `quad’ and usually has a rudder attached to one of the sculler’s foot stretchers as in the straight four. Most quads can also be rigged as a straight four using a different set of riggers. Octuple (8X) Eight scullers. This is rarely seen, though is used in the UK, at least, in junior competition where sweep rowing is not allowed. Weight Classifications There are basically two weight classes for rowers—heavyweight (HWT) and lightweight (LWT). Men (M) For team LWT boats, there is a 72.5 kg (~160 lbs) individual maximum, and the boat must average no more than 70 kg (~155 lbs). Women (W) The individual maximum for team LWT boats is 59 kg (~130 lbs), and the boat must average no more than 57 kg (~125 lbs). In the US, the women have an individual max only; no average.

In some regattas in the US (usually head races late in the season) these limits are increased by 5 lbs. A rowing shell is usually built with a particular weight class of rower in mind. Until just recently the Olympics effectively had only HWT classifications. Equipment Terminology Blades The wide flat section of the oar at the head of the shaft, also known as the spoon. This term is often used when referring to the entire oar. Hatchets (a.k.a. big blades or choppers or cleavers) A relatively new design of oar blades (although the idea has been around for some time). These were introduced by Concept II (Spring 1992) and are what the names indicate—oar blades that have a bigger surface area than the `standard’ (Macon) blades and have a hatchet or meat cleaver shape. The hatchets are a bit shorter (by about 7 cm) than the standard blades. Scull This term is used interchangeably when referring to one of the oars used in a sculling shell, the shell itself or to the act of rowing a sculling shell.

Foot Stretcher (or boot stretchers) An adjustable bracket in a shell to which the rower’s feet are secured in some sort of shoe or clog. Seat The sliding seat that the rower sits on. The term “seat” also refers to the rowers place in the boat; the convention is to number the seats from bow to stern, i.e. the rower closest to the front of the boat is “1-seat” the next, “2-seat”, et c. The 1-seat is also commonly referred to as “bow seat” or just “bow” while the stern most (rear) seat is referred to as “stroke seat” or just “stroke”. Rigger (or outrigger) The device that connects the oarlock to the shell and is bolted to the body of the shell. On sweep boats, riggers are typically alternating from side to the other on adjacent seats, but it is not uncommon to see two adjacent riggers on the same side. This is referred to as “tandem rigging”. Varieties include “bucket rigging”, “German Rigging” and “Italian Rigging”. Oarlock (or rowlock) A U-shaped swivel which holds the oar in place.

It’s mounted at the end of the rigger and rotates around a metal pin. A gate closes across the top to keep the oar in. Button (or collar) A plastic or metal fitting tightened on the oar to keep the oar from slipping through the oarlock. Pitch The angle between the blade (on the drive when the blade is `squared’) and a line perpendicular to the water’s surface. Slide (or track): The track on which the seat moves. Gunwale (or gunnel, saxboard) Top section on the sides of a shell, which runs along the sides of the crew section where the rowers are located. The riggers are secured to the gunwale with bolts. Keel Technically, the structural member running the length of the boat at the bottom of the hull. Today, some shells are built without this member so the term often refers to the centerline of the shell. Rudder Steering device at the stern. The rudder in turn is connected to some cables (tiller ropes) that the coxswain can use to steer the shell. Older shells have short wooden handles (knockers) on the tiller ropes.

The coxswain not only to steer the shell, but also to rap out the cadence of the stroke rate on the gunwale uses these knockers. Skeg (or Fin) A small fin located along the stern section of the hull. This helps to stabilize the shell in holding a true course when rowing. All racing shells have a skeg. The skeg should not be confused with the rudder. Rigging The adjustment and alteration of accessories (riggers, foot-stretchers, oar, etc.) in and on the shell. Examples of rigging adjustments that can be made are the height of the rigger, location of the foot-stretchers, location and height of the oarlocks, location of the button (or collar) on the oar and the pitch of the blade of the oar. Slings (or boat slings, or trestles) Collapsible/portable frames with straps upon which a shell can be placed temporarily. Rowing Cycle Terms Starting with the rower at `rest’ and legs fully extended with the oar blades immersed in the water perpendicular (well … almost) to the water’s surface.

Release A sharp downward (and away) motion of the hands, which serves to remove the oar blade from the water and start the rowing cycle. Yeh, yeh where does the stroke cycle really start? Feathering The act of turning the oar blade from a position perpendicular to the surface of the water to a position parallel to the water. This is done in conjunction with the release. Recovery Part of the rowing cycle from the release up to and including where the oar blade enters the water. Squaring A gradual rolling of the oar blade from a position parallel to the water to a position (almost) perpendicular to the surface of the water. This is accomplished during the recovery portion of the rowing cycle and is done in preparation for the catch. Catch The point of the rowing cycle at which the blade enters the water at the end of the recovery and is accomplished by an upward motion of the arms and hands only. The blade of the oar must be fully squared at the catch. Drive That part of the rowing cycle when the rower applies power to the oar. This is a more (or less) blended sequence of applying power primarily with a leg drive, then the back and finally the arms.

Finish The last part of the drive before the release where the power is mainly coming from the back and arms. Layback The amount of backward lean of the rower’s body at the end of the finish. Now we start again with the release and … Other Terms of Interest Bow The forward end of the shell. Also used as the name of the person sitting nearest to the bow. Stern The rear end of the shell. Port The left side of the boat when facing the bow (stroke side in the UK and Ireland ). Starboard The right side of the shell when facing the bow (bow side in the UK and Ireland ). Coxswain The person who steers the shell and urges the rowers on during practices and in a race. A knowledgeable coxswain can also serve as a coach for the rowers and can be the difference between winning and losing a race. The Stroke The rower sitting nearest the stern (and the coxswain, if there is one). The stroke is responsible for setting the stroke length and cadence (with the coxswain’s gentle advice). Frig rigging See Tandem Rigging.

Tandem rigging Variations of rigging of sweep boats with adjacent riggers being on the same side of the boat. Also known as Frig rigging ( UK ). See below (the rigging terms below are the subject of debate as to exactly what configuration they refer to, and they are often used interchangeably). Bucket rigging The rigging of an eight or a four so that riggers 2 and 3 are on the same side. German rigging The rigging of an eight so that riggers 4 and 5 are on the same side while the others alternate. Italian rigging The rigging of an eight so that bow and stroke riggers are on the same side, with the others alternating in pairs. Ratio The ratio of the recovery time to the drive time. The recovery time should always be longer than the drive time (how much longer I won’t say … as someone wrote, the idea is to `move the boat on the pull through (or drive) and take a ride (i.e. relax) on the recovery without sacrificing the very speed that they have generated’). Rating The number of strokes per minute. Also known as stroke rating.

Set (set of a boat) The definition of this word that I have found that comes closest to what rowers mean by the set of a boat is `form or carriage of the body or of its parts’. In this case the `body’ consists of the shell and the rowers. Items that can affect the set of the boat are the rower’s posture, hand levels, rigging (the favorite culprit … especially with the more advanced rowers), timing at the catch and release, and outside conditions such as the wind. It is not unusual for rowers within a shell not to agree on what needs to be done to establish a `good’ set, i.e. a level, stable shell that will provide the basis for that symphony of motion. Check Any abrupt deceleration of the shell caused by some uncontrolled motion within the shell; an interruption in the forward motion of the shell. The coxswain is probably the most acutely aware of this abrupt deceleration and it has been known to cause whiplash in some extreme cases.

Crab A problem encountered by a rower when his or her oar gets `stuck’ in the water, usually right after the catch or just before the release, and is caused by improper squaring or feathering. The momentum of the shell can overcome the rower’s control of the oar. In more extreme cases the rower can actually be ejected from the shell by the oar. Jumping the slide Another problem encountered by a rower when the seat becomes derailed from the track during the rowing cycle. Missing water The rower starts the drive before the catch has been completed (or even started in some cases). This is also referred to as rowing into the catch. Skying The fault of carrying the hands too low during the recovery especially when a rower dips his or her hands just prior to the catch (i.e. a sort of winding up). This usually results in the blade being too high off the water’s surface. Washing out The fault of rowing the oar out of the water, i.e. the blade comes out of the water before the drive is finished.

About the boats The boat or shell in inherently unstable due to its shallow draft and extremely narrow proportions.Fortunately the oars themselves help to stabilize the craft much as outriggers do on a dugout canoe. Because the shell sits so low in the water, the rower’s center of gravity is quiet high, maintaining balance is very important in this sport. There is a reason these boats are called shells. They are extremely thin walled. The lighter the shell, the faster it can be rowed. An eight-man crew shell measures approximately 60 feet in length and weighs about 200 lbs. It can carry a crew weight of up to 2300 lbs. Like all things designed for racing, these boats are very expensive and easily damaged. The rib structure of modern shells is made of honeycombed composite material, the skin is fiberglass and gel coat. The oars are also made of composite materials. The oar shaft is a hollow tube. Oars appear to be much heavier than they really are. The metal structures that extend from the sides of the shell are called outriggers. Their purpose is to support the oarlocks. These three-legged assemblies must be removed when the shells are being transported on the boat trailer.

They are reinstalled before the race or when the boats are returned to the boathouse. About the Races Rowing in competition takes place at an event called a regatta. The same term used in sailboat racing. The sport of rowing is broken down into two basic divisions. Sweep rowing, or Crew occurs when an athlete rows with one oar positioned on one or the other side of the boat. Sculling involves one athlete with two oars, one in each hand. Here at Arlington we are only involved in Crew. We row shells that hold four rowers and a coxswain pronounced (coxun) or eight rowers and a coxswain. The coxswain is the person who steers the boat and directs the pace. Coxswains do not row. The abbreviations 4+ and 8+ respectively, are used to describe these types of craft. The number tells you how many rowers are in the boat, the plus sign means that the boat has a coxswain. There are two basic type of rowing races, sprints and head races. Spring is the season for sprints, or standard racing. Usually six boats compete in well-marked lanes.

Starting from a stationary position and held in place by people in anchored stake boats, the command “Attention, Go” is given and the race begins. The referee follows in a motor launch to make sure all boats comply with the rules of the race. First over the finish line wins. Heats are run if more boats are entered in the event than there are lanes to hold them. Faster boats qualify to compete in a final heat that determines the winner. The racecourse is as straight as the site permits and in high school the rowing distance is usually 1500 meters. Head Races occur in the fall. A much longer racecourse is set up. The coxswain must steer through twists, turns and around obstacles in the river. One race on the Mohawk River involves a 180o turn around an island with the start and finish on the same line. Competing boats are sometimes allowed a practice run so that the coxswain is familiar with the course. More often, a meeting is held for coxswains and they are shown a map and given instructions. Starting time is staggered with a few seconds between each competing boat. Before the start, boats are allowed to get up to speed.

As they pass through a chute, the clock starts ticking. Best time wins the race. Boats passing other boats make this kind of racing very exciting. When all entries in that particular event have completed the course, the results are posted and the winner revealed. Rowing Positions in an Eight-Man Shell. Rowing Position Diagram – Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader Just as in baseball, has its pitcher, first basement, shortstop etc., crew also has its positions or seats for each of its rowers. A rower rows either port (left) or starboard (right), depending on which side of the boat his or her oar extends from. Once a rower is assigned a port or starboard position, he or she will almost always continue to row on that side of the boat for the rest of the season, if not their entire rowing career. For purposes of balance and to avoid oar interference, boats are rigged with an alternating pattern. The standard rigging starts at the bow on the starboard side. It ends on the port side. Based on observation and evaluation of ergometer tests, coaches must determine the best position for each rower. Putting together the boat is the consummate concern of coaches early in the season.

Some tweaking is usually necessary but once a boat is “set”, if is rarely altered. Rowers then practice together to perfect their rowing as a crew. The rowers in seats 1 and 2 are known as the bow pair. They are expected to deliver a smooth fluid technique. In an effort to keep the bow up in the water, the bow pair are usually a little smaller and lighter than the other rowers. They are the first to cross the finish line. Rowers in seats 3, 4, 5, 6, are known as the engine room. These rowers are expected to provide the strongest and hardest strokes.Rowers in seats 7, and 8 are known as the stern pair. They are expected to provide both strength and technique. Seat 8, known as the stroke, sets the pace. It is his stroke that the other rowers follow. The coxswain, who usually sits in the back, is the only person with eyes front. The coxswain does not row but rather steers the craft, directs the pace and verbally encourages his crew to perform to the best of their ability. Coxswains do not contribute any propulsion to the boat.

For this reason they are usually small people with big vocal chords. A coxswain can be male or female and compete with crews of the opposite sex in their division. Crew is truly a team sport. All the positions on a crew boat are equally important and all crewmates contribute to the racing success or failure of that boat. Timeline for the History of Rowing 1000 BCThe oar and fulcrum are developed, this proves to be an improvement over paddling. 26-19 BCVergil’s Aenied provides the earliest account in western literature of rowing for sport. The funeral games in honor of the father of Aeneas included rowing. 1700 ADBarge rowing on the Thames in London becomes a popular recreation. Wagering on the races becomes a favorite pastime of the wealthy. 1829The Oxford-Cambridge Race established as an annual event on the Thames. 1837First rowing club in Poughkeepsie forms. The first organized regatta in America is held in Newburgh New York. 1839The Henley Royal Regatta is formed in England.

1852The Yale-Harvard Race on the Charles River in Boston commences. Rowing becomes the first organized sport in America. 1865The American Championships are established. 1873There are now 209 rowing clubs in the United States. 1895Poughkeepsie is chosen as the home for the Intercollegiate Rowing Association Regattas. The first event draws 30,000 spectators. 1900Rowing is established as an Olympic sport and events are held at the Paris games. 1950Mid Hudson Schoolboy Rowing Association is created. Crew teams are formed at Arlington, Poughkeepsie, and Roosevelt High Schools. 1956First Triangular races are held on May 14th, cheerleaders and marching band included! 1956-1964National High School Championships are held in Poughkeepsie. 1976Women are admitted to the rowing program at Arlington. 1996Joshua Gaynor, Roosevelt High School graduate, class of 1985, strokes a heavy weight four to a silver metal in the summer Olympics in Barcelona Spain.

2004 �� �� �� Brett Wilkinson, Roosevelt High School graduate, class of 1994, takes the US Olympic quadruple sculls team to 11th place at the Olympics in Athens Greece. Understanding the Motion of Rowing Motion of Rowing Diagram – Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader Catch, Drive, Finish, Recovery, these four motions, though fluid and repetitive, describe the physical process of rowing as it is practiced in this sport. To the casual observer, rowing appears to be an upper body exercise. Although upper body strength is important, the real power in the stroke comes from the legs during the drive portion of the rowing motion. This is when the oar is being pulled through the water. It is at the finish or end of the drive, that the arms and back are needed. The drive is completed and the oar is raised out of the water The rowers appear to slide forward and back as they row and in fact they are doing just that. Each rowers seat is attached by small wheels to a 2 ½’ to 3��� long track. This sliding motion allows the rowers legs to become extended enough for his hands and the oar, to pass over his knees.

Mounted to the floor of the boat, in front of each rower is a pair of large shoes. These shoes act as anchoring devices and help stabilize each rower’s position in the boat. They also aid in balancing his body weight. Rowing looks easy but don’t be deceived. Pulling an oar blade through the water effectively while maintaining your balance is very much a practiced skill. Add to this the fact that four or eight rowers must do this in near perfect unison and you begin to realize the magic of this sport. If you watch carefully you will notice that as the rowers return their oars toward the starting position of the stroke, they pivot them so that the blades are parallel to the water. This is called (feathering). The returning action is known as the recovery. As the recovery is completed, the oar blades are (squared) or rotated back to their vertical position and plunged into the water, this quick action is called the catch. Oars enter the water and a new stroke begins. What the heck is an Erg? An ergometer (or erg, ergo, erg machine) is cruel torture device used to torment rowers everywhere.

😉 It is also is the closest thing to rowing when you can’t actually go out on the water. It is a type of rowing machine that is the closest simulation of actual rowing available. Its monitor is like a cox box, it provides the rower with information like stroke rate, split time, power generated in watts, distance covered in meters, and time elapsed. It can be set for various workouts, the most dreaded being the Erg Test. All rowers despise erg tests. An erg test is a race piece done on an erg. The time is recorded and used by the coach for various reasons, such as placing rowers on boats. Search for: Olympic Rowing- What is Olympic Rowing? What is Olympic Rowing? The Basics of Olympic Rowing Pool/Pool/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images By George Sayour Updated August 31, 2016. What is Olympic Rowing? Rowing is one of the oldest competitive team sports in history. Originally established as a means of transportation, the other benefits that could be found through rowing have been celebrated for centuries. Rowing was actually on the schedule of events for the first Olympics of modern times in 1896.

but poor weather prevented it from being contested. Olympic Rowing would make its debut in the Paris Summer Olympics of 1900. OLYMPIC ROWING: THE COMPETITION In today’s Olympics, men and women compete in 14 different Olympic Rowing events: Men’s Rowing Scull Events: Single Sculls (1x) Men Lightweight Double Sculls (2x) Men Quadruple Sculls without Coxswain (4x) Men Men’s Rowing Sweep Events: Coxless Pair (2-) Men Four without Coxswain (4-) Men Lightweight Coxless Four (4-) Men Women’s Rowing Scull Events: Single Sculls (1x) Women Lightweight Double Sculls (2x) Women continue reading below our video 10 Best Teams in the History of Baseball Quadruple Sculls without Coxswain (4x) Women Women’s Rowing Sweep Events: Pair without Coxswain (2-) Women Eight with Coxswain (8+) Women Olympic Rowing: Sweep and Sculling Events There are many different facets to Olympic Rowing. Events can be either “sweep” or “sculling” races, with or without “coxswain,” and lightweight or open weight.

Each event has a different number of oarsmen in the boat and there are separate events for men and for women. “Sweep” races signify the fact that each rower has both hands on one oar. “Sculling” refers to the use of 2 oars, one in each hand, by each rower. The “coxswain” is the person who sits in the boat and directs the rhythm of the rowing crew as well as steers the boat. There may or may not be a “coxswain” in the boat depending on the race. OLYMPIC ROWING: THE EQUIPMENT Olympic Rowing uses the following equipment: Shell: The rowing term for the boat which is used in rowing competitions. Sculling Boat: The shell in which rowers sit and row with a separate oar in each hand. Sweep-oar Boat: The shell in which rowers sit and row with only one oar.

Oar: The device that a rower uses to propel the boat through the water Blade: The part of the oar that is attached to the loom and makes contact with the water Handle: The part of the paddle is held by the oarsman and is attached to the loom. Loom: The shaft of the oar. Located between the blade and the handle. Outrigger or Rigger: An external frame that attaches to and extends past the boat to support the oar. Rowlock or Oarlock: The place on the boat where the oar is fastened. It serves as the pivot for the oar. Fin or Skeg: A flat protrusion on the bottom of the shell to help the boat track (go) straight. Cox Box: An electronic device that measures the stroke rate and time as well as serves as an amplification device for the coxswain to communicate with the rowers. OLYMPIC ROWING: GOLD, SILVER, BRONZE The Olympic Rowing Competitions are won by the person or team who reaches the finish line of a 2000 meter long unobstructed course in the shortest amount of time possible.

Rowers start off in lanes but are not required to stay in those lanes for the duration of the race. The beginning of the race is an actual all out sprint. The rowers then settle into a rhythm and then do what they need to win at the end of the race. The winning crews (teams) actually paddle their shells right up to the award ceremony. Upon receiving their medals, they get back into their shell and row off into the sunset. Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals are awarded to crews in all Olympic Rowing Events. Rowing - Summer Olympic Sport Rowing Vyacheslav Ivanov - Rowing 17 Oct 1964 Rowing is the propelling of a boat using a fixed oar as a lever. In modern sports, rowers race against each other either as individuals or in crews of two, four or eight. The boat race Rowing was first used as a means of transport in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. As a sport, it probably began in England in the 17th and early 18th centuries, with the Oxford-Cambridge university boat race, which was inaugurated in 1828.

By the 19th century, rowing was popular in Europe and had been exported to America. Sculling vs sweep The races are divided into sculling and sweep oar. Sculling events use two oars, whilst in sweep the rower holds one. The eight-person crews have a coxswain, who steers the boat and directs the crew, but in all other boats one rower steers by controlling a small rudder with a foot pedal. Athlete of the century Sir Steve Redgrave of Great Britain is widely hailed as the greatest rower ever. A six-time World Champion, he won gold medals at five Olympic Games and has been loosely crowned Athlete of the Century because of the extreme physical demands of rowing. His female counterpart on the gold medal count is Elisabeta Lipa of Romania, who also won five Olympic gold medals between 1984 and 2004. Olympic history Rowing has been staged at all the editions of the Olympic Games, except in 1896 in Athens. It was, however, on the programme, but a stormy sea compelled the organisers to cancel the events. Women made their debut at the Games in 1976 in Montreal.

They competed in a smaller programme. The Olympic Games in 1996 in Atlanta marked the introduction of the lightweight events. Up to the 1960s, the USA dominated Olympic rowing. Then it was the turn of the Soviet Union, which in turn gave up its place in the 1970s-80s to the all powerful GDR (East Germany). These days, the reunified German team is among the best in the world. Glossary of Rowing Terms | USRowing - USRowing Getting Started Glossary of Rowing Terms Power 10, coxswain, repecage, what? Following you’ll find a collection of terms specific to the sport of rowing. Learn these terms, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming well-versed in the “language of rowing.” Bow: The forward section of the boat. The first part of the boat to cross the finish line. The person in the seat closest to the bow, who crosses the finish line first. Bow coxed boat: A shell in which the coxswain is near the bow instead of the stern.

It’s hard to see the coxswain in this type of boat, because only his head is visible. Having the coxswain virtually lying down in the bow reduces wind resistance, and the weight distribution is better. Button: A wide collar on the oar that keeps it from slipping through the oarlock. Coxswain: Person who steers the shell and is the on-the-water coach for the crew. Deck: The part of the shell at the bow and stern that is covered with fiberglass cloth or a thin plastic. Ergometer: Rowers call it an “erg.” It’s a rowing machine that closely approximates the actual rowing motion. The rowers’ choice is the Concept II, which utilizes a flywheel and a digital readout so that the rower can measure his “strokes per minute” and the distance covered. FISA: Short for Federation Internationale des Societes d’Aviron. The international governing body for the sport of rowing in the world, established in 1892. Gate: The bar across the oarlock that keeps the oar in place.

German rigging: A different way of setting up which side of the boat the oars are on in a sweep boat. Instead of alternating from side to side all the way down, in a German rigged boat, two consecutive rowers have oars on the same side. Lightweight: Refers to the rowers, not the boats; there is a maximum weight for each rower in a lightweight event as well as a boat average. Oar: Used to drive the boat forward: rowers do not use paddles. Port: Left side of the boat, while facing forward, in the direction of the movement. Power 10: A call for rowers to do 10 of their best, most powerful strokes. It’s a strategy used to pull ahead of a competitor. Repechage: The second-chance race which ensures that everyone has two chances to advance from preliminary races since there is no seeding in the heats. Rigger: The triangular shaped metal device that is bolted onto the side of the boat and holds the oars. Run: The run is the distance the shell moves during one stroke. You can figure it by looking for the distance between the puddles made by the same oar.

Sculls: One of the two disciplines of rowing – the one where scullers use two oars or sculls. Shell: Can be used interchangeably with boat. Slide: The set of runners for the wheels of each seat in the boat. Starboard: Right side of the boat, while facing forward, in the direction of movement. Stern: The rear of the boat; the direction the rowers are facing. Straight: Refers to a shell without a coxswain i.e. a straight four or straight pair. Stretcher or Foot-stretcher: Where the rower’s feet go. The stretcher consists of two inclined footrests that hold the rower’s shoes. The rower’s shoes are bolted into the footrests. Stroke: The rower who sits closest to the stern. The stroke sets the rhythm for the boat; others behind him must follow his cadence. StrokeCoach: A small electronic display that rowers attach in the boat to show the important race information like stroke rate and elapsed time. Sweep: One of the two disciplines of rowing – the one where rowers use only one oar.

Pairs (for two people), fours (for four people) and the eight are sweep boats. Pairs and fours may or may not have a coxswain. Eights always have a coxswain. Swing: The hard-to-define feeling when near-perfect synchronization of motion occurs in the shell, enhancing the performance and speed. Related Content

Question: What is the name of the crew member who steers the boat in competitive rowing?
Answer: Coxswain