Glossary of Crew Terms
- Back It: A reverse stroke that moves the boat backward.
- Bow: The front of the shell; also refers to the rower seated in the frontmost position.
- Bow Ball: A rubber ball attached to the tip of the bow to prevent damage to people or shells in case of contact.
- Catch: The point at the end of the recovery when the blade is placed in the water.
- Drop-Out/Add- In (#): Commands telling rower(s) to stop rowing (“drop out”) or to start rowing with the rest of the crew (“add in”). The number (#) refers to the seat position – for example, “Bow pair out (#1 & #2), stern pair (#3 & #4) in – in two!” followed by two strokes before the change happens.
- Gunnel: The top edge of the hull where the riggers are attached.
- Hands On: Command telling athletes to go to their assigned station at the shell, grab hold, and be ready for the next instruction.
- Check It Down: Command to stop rowing and square blades immediately. Rowers place squared blades in the water to create drag and slow the boat down – often used in emergencies to avoid collisions.
- Port: The left side of the boat from the coxswains perspective. Even-numbered seats are on the port side.
- Starboard: The right side of the boat from the coxswains perspective. Odd numbered seats are on the starboard side in a typical port-rigged boat.
- Stern: The back end of the boat.
- Stroke: The rower seated closest to the stern who sets the rhythm for the crew. The term also refers one complete rowing motion from catch to finish.
- Weigh enough: Commands meaning “stop.” Used both on the water to stop rowing and on land to stop moving while carrying a shell.
Extended Crew Glossary
On the Water/Technique
- Finish: The end of the stroke when the blade comes out of the water.
- Feather: To turn the oar blade parallel to the water after the finish to reduce wind
resistance. - Square: To turn the oar blade perpendicular to the water before the catch.
- Ratio: The relationship between the drive (power phase) and the recovery (slide
phase). A good ratio has a quick drive and a controlled, slower recovery. - Set/Balance: The stability of the boat — how level it feels side to side.
- Catch a Crab: When the oar blade gets “stuck” in the water, usually from poor
timing or technique. - Power 10 (or more): A coxswain call for 10 (or more) strong, focused strokes to
gain speed. - Swing: The feeling when all rowers move perfectly in sync, making the boat glide
effortlessly.
Boat & Equipment
- Shell: The rowing boat itself.
- Rigger: The metal arm attached to the side of the shell that holds the oarlock.
- Oarlock: The pivot point on the rigger that the oar sits in.
- Foot Stretcher: The adjustable plate inside the shell where the rower’s feet are
secured. - Slide: The track the seat moves back and forth on.
- Blade: The flat part of the oar that enters the water.
- Seat Numbering: Seats are numbered from bow (1) to stern (4 or 8, depending on
the type of boat). The “stroke seat” is the last seat in the boat. - Cox Box: The electronic device used by the coxswain to amplify their voice and
record stroke rate.
Coxswain Commands & Racing
- Ready and Row: Command to start rowing.
- Hold Water: Rowers square their blades in the water to stop the boat quickly.
- Half Slide/Three-Quarter Slide: Indicates how far up the slide rowers should go
during drills. - Stroke Rate: The number of strokes per minute.
- Head Race (Fall Season): A long-distance race (usually 3–5 km) against the clock.
- Sprint Race (Spring Season: A 1,500-meter side-by-side race in the spring season.
Team & Safety
- Launch: The motorized coaching boat used during practice.
- Bow Number: The number plate attached to the bow of the shell during races for
identification. - Dock Master: The person in charge of organizing boats launching and landing at
regattas. - Hot Seating: When rowers quickly switch boats on the water or dock between
races. - Stake Boat: The structure (and volunteer) that holds the boat in place at the starting line