Shaker Rowing Association Handbook - 18-20

USEFUL ROWING TERMS

BLADE (Hatchet or Spoon)
  The end of the oar that is in the water.
BOW
   The front of the boat. Bow-pair refers to seats two and one.
CATCH
   The part of the stroke where the oar enters the water.
CHECK
   Bad technique that slows the boat down usually caused by rushing the slide.
"CHECK IT DOWN"
   Coxswain call that makes all the rowers drag their oar blades through the water perpendicularly, effectively stopping the boat.
COX BOX
   A small electronic device which aids the coxswain by amplifying his/her voice, and giving a readout of various information.
COXSWAIN
   An athlete who sits in the stern and does not row but is responsible for steering, strategy and motivation.
CRAB
   When the blade gets caught under the surface of the water.
DRIVE
   Part of the stroke where the rower pulls the blade through the water to propel the boat.
ERG (Ergometer/Erg Machine)
   Rowing machine that is used for land training.
FEATHERING
   Rotating the oar in the oarlock so that the blade is parallel to the surface of the water.
FINISH
   The end of the drive.
FOOT STRETCHER
   Part of the boat where the shoes are attached and where the rower pushes his/her legs against on the drive.
'HOLD WATER'
   Coxswain call which is another way of saying "Check it Down".
LAYBACK
   Term for how much you lean back at the finish.
"LET IT RUN"
   Coxswain call for all rowers to stop rowing and to pause at the finish, letting the boat glide through the water and coast to a stop.
LEG DRIVE
   Term used for driving the legs against the foot stretchers on the drive.
OARLOCK
   Square latch to hold the oar and provide a fulcrum for the stroke against the rigger.
PORT
   Side of the boat to the coxswain's left and the rower's right.
'POWER 10" (or 20 or 30, etc.)
   Coxswain call to take a certain number of power strokes. A power stroke is a stroke that musters all the strength you can give.
RATIO
   Speed of the slide on the recovery relative to the speed on the drive. Optimal ratio is 2:1.
RECOVERY
   Part of the stroke where the rower comes back up the slide slowly towards the catch.
RELEASE
   At the finish when the blade comes out of the water.
RIGGER
   Made of metal attached to the side of the boat.
RUDDER
   A steering mechanism under the boat.
SCULLING
   Sculling is rowing with two oars (an oar on each side of the boat).
SHELL
   Another term for boat. Specifically, a boat used in racing.
SKYING
   When the blade is too high off of the surface of the water at the catch.
SLIDE
   Rolling seat in tracks in the boat.
SPRINT
   The last 20-30 strokes of the race
STARBOARD
   Side of the boat to the coxswain's right and to the rower's left.
STERN
   The back end of the boat.
STROKE
   One full motion to move a boat. Consists of the catch, drive, finish and recovery.
STROKE RATE
   Strokes per minute.
SWEEP
   Rowing with one oar on one side of the boat.
"WEIGH-ENOUGH!"
   Coxswain call to have all rowers stop rowing. (Actually sounds like "way-nuff".)

(Rev. 9/1/01)