Word for rowing team

Have you ever wondered how to choose a team name? Many people want to know how to choose a name for their team, but not everyone knows where to begin.

If you are looking for rowing team names and some advice for how to choose a team name, look no further.

I’ll give you some tips on how to choose a team name for your rowing team.

Your team’s name is the first thing people think of when they hear about your team. It’s the name that you and your fans shout from the stands and wear on t-shirts.

Your team’s name is the thing that, more than anything else, people use to identify your organization — the name you put on your football jerseys, your business cards, and your website.

Here are some catchy and good rowing team names ideas:

• Peacekeepers
• Orange snakes
• River Rollers
• Black Bellamy
• You’re only novice once
• Vitamin Sea
• Foolish Owls
• Men’s Quadruple Sculls
• Frosty Dots
• Tidal Wave.
• Runaways
• Gulabi Gang
• Ultimate nerds
• Charmers
• The Collective
• Shooting Stars.
• The Tough Ones
• Friendly alligators
• Tragic Magic
• Unsinkable
• Invisible Chords
• The Crazy Five

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How to Come up with a Team Name

1.     Find an association with popular things

It is one of the most common practices that we associate team names with certain values and characteristics. Such as, sports names could include, warriors, panthers, knights. The point here is to represent a certain value.

The rowing team name must show dominance, strength, nobility. You can include even project bravery, skillfulness, endurance, and fearlessness.

Check out these catchy rowing team names:

• Ambassadors
• Rock Bottom
• Shake it up
• Flight Fires
• The Rebels
• Bow & Row
• Pings of Surprise
• Trend Nymphos
• Lunachicks
• Start strong Finish stronger
• High-Voltage
• Swifts
• Red Dragons.
• Buzz Fury
• The Long-bottoms

2.     Think about things that team members have in common

This is another way to come up with a good team name. You find out what your team is best in, overall.

Perhaps, you all love the same game, movie, book, or cuisine. Consider anything that is common. And come up with a team name. This way you’ll have a team name that will build team spirit.

Which of these rowing team names will help building team spirit:

• The Nasty Rebels
• Wave Runners
• Golden Flashes.
• Castaways
• Boom boom bang
• Rowing Thunder
• Rowin’ Dirty
• Reel Nauti
• Aboat Time
• Frozen Fantasies
• The Creeping Spiders.
• Women’s Single Sculls
• Flaming Lips
• kjetil borch
• Good of Times

3.     Use an adjective

The use of the adjective in rowing team names is common. It helps you project certain trait or differentiate from other team names.

Use a thesaurus and find out synonyms for the most used adjectives. So, you’ll have more options to choose from. This is also a good way to make your name even more special and unique.

The following are some of the unique rowing team names:

• Pony tails
• Darling Angels.
• Men’s Double Sculls
• The Rattlers
• Conquerors
• Snake Eyes
• Razzle dazzle
• The Jelly Beaners
• No Sympathy
• Piece of Ship
• Chests Up, Hearts Open
• Boorish Xentrix
• Dancing Demons
• The Empowered
• Row Hard

4.     Use a team name generator

If you have a difficult time figuring out all this, you can just visit a team name generator and find some good rowing team names there in a matter of seconds.

These rowing team names have been picked from team name generators:

• Ponytails
• Defenders
• Red Gophers.
• Oh No Yoko!
• The Creators
• Dark Angels.
• Floaters
• Raging Bulls
• Horsepower
• The Unknowns
• Women’s Pair
• Paddle til it hurts
• The Ringleaders
• Scorpions.
• Butterflies

5.     Have your team members on board

Include your team members in the naming process. Different minds will have different ideas. This will give your more brainstorming RAM:), and hence, more rowing team name ideas.

If you do not include teammates in the process, in the end, some may not like the name. So, do make sure to have your entire team on board.

Below are the rowing team names that your team members will love:

• Voodoo Dolls
• ThunderWolves.
• Orange dots
• That’s how we row
• Last picks
• The Crazy Artists
• Nauti & Nice
• Scenic Pierce
• Screaming Eagles.
• Make Waves
• Unsinkable Bow Down
• Daring Dinosaurs.
• Slow n steady
• In Deep Ship
• Women’s Quadruple Sculls

6.     It should be catchy and memorable

Picking a catchy team name is important. It is easy to remember. Your fans will remember your team name. You should make it easy for them.

Let’s have a look at some creative and cool rowing team examples now:

• Enforcers
• Just stroke it
• The Cookie Raiders
• The Optimizers
• Water Dragons
• Blackberries
• Enigmatic Fury
• Changing majors
• Below Deck
• Pier Pressure In Sync
• The Barbarians
• Dolphin dolls
• Hercules
• Seas the Day
• The Fallen Angels

7.     You can add words related to rowing

Before you name your team, you must have related words in your mind to brainstorm better. Here are some of the words that are related to rowing:

• maritime
• navigational
• seafaring
• marine
• abyssal
• aquatic
• boating
• cruising
• deep-sea
• naval
• navigating
• oceangoing
• oceanic
• oceanographic
• pelagic
• sailing
• sailorly
• salty
• sea-loving
• seagoing
• ship
• thalassic
• yachting

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Are you looking for a great team name idea for your rowing club? If yes, then this article is just for you. We’ve compiled a massive list of cool, original, and creative team names for your rowing club. These names are guaranteed to inspire you and give you some fresh ideas for your next event.

Rowing is a sport that requires teamwork and camaraderie. It involves two teams competing against each other by using oars to propel a boat through water.

There are many different kinds of rowing sports, including sculling, sweep rowing, coxless four, eight, and double sculls. Each type of rowing has its own set of rules and regulations.

You may have noticed that there are lots of rowing clubs around the world. They usually organize various events, such as regattas, races, and competitions.

However, the name of these clubs is often pretty generic. For example, “the rowing club” or “the rowing team”. That’s why we’re here to help you come up with a better name for your rowing club!

We’ve collected a huge list of cool, original and creative team names for you to use. So, without wasting anymore time, let’s jump straight into it.

• The Super Squad
• Knock Knock Knockers
• The Crazy Five
• Row Hard Or Row Home
• Fear This
• Shake It Up
• The Triple Hits
• Dolls With Balls
• Oh No Yoko!
• Blazing Bambis
• Women’s Pair
• The Unknowns
• Lord Of The Pins
• High-Voltage
• Death Whisperers
• Reel Nauti
• The Mullet Mafia
• Movers And Shakers
• Scoring Angels
• Conquerors
• Ball Of Duty
• The Tough Ones
• Lunachicks
• Split Ends
• Vitamin Sea
• Boorish Xentrix
• Non Stop Action
• Red Strikers
• Pings Of Surprise
• Falcons
• Men’s Double Sculls
• Frozen Fantasies
• Explorers
• The Untouchables
• Buzz Fury
• Alien Panthers
• Pier Pressure
• Cinnamon Chicks
• Dumbbell Doors
• River Rollers
• Wave Runners
• Huskies

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Funny Rowing Team Names

• Ambassadors
• The Empowered
• Running Rebels
• We Are Too Old For This
• Charming Chicks
• The Four Canals
• Emerald Stars
• Snake Eyes
• Bandits
• The Destiny Kings
• Aboat Time
• Boozing Idiots
• Pony Tails
• Dolphin Dolls
• Shadow Warriors
• Rush Hour
• We Got The Runs
• Beyond Your Imagination
• The Badgers
• Sultans Of Swing
• Swifts
• I Like Big Boats And I Cannot Lie
• Last Picks
• Cool Name Pending
• Castaways
• Bow Down
• Flight Fires
• Purple Dragons
• The Creators
• Thunderwolves
• Matching T-Shirts
• The Master Race
• Get Rowing
• Tony Tigers
• You’re Only Novice Once
• Seals And Tusks
• In Sync
• The Mad Artists
• The Nasty Rebels
• Flame Boys
• We Match
• Row Hard
• The Ringleaders
• The Killer Crew
• Tidal Wave
• Daring Dinosaurs
• Scorpions
• Mavericks
• Frosty Dots
• Red Gophers

Rowing Team Names Puns

• Flaming Lips
• Black Shorts
• Toothless Crocodiles
• Trend Nymphos
• The Crazy Artists
• The Crazy Bunch
• Bossy Pants
• Pier Pressure In Sync
• The Data Dirt Devils
• Bow And Row
• Unsinkable
• The Nations Top
• Peacekeepers
• The Rattlers
• The Old Partners
• Rowing Thunder
• Angry Beavers
• That’s How We Row
• Boom Boom Bang
• Chests Up, Hearts Open
• Men In Blue
• The Six Boys
• Shooting Stars
• Kjetil Borch
• Women’s Single Sculls
• The Collective
• Ultimate Nerds
• Super Heroes In Training
• Can’t Be Stopped
• Raging Bulls
• Runaways
• Weekend Warriors
• The Spanish Five
• Pink Butterflies
• Galactic Girls
• Bloody Penguins
• Awkward Turtles
• Water Heroes
• Good Of Times
• Buoys In The Hood
• Men’s Quadruple Sculls
• Floaters
• Black Bellamy
• Stone Crushers

Rowing Team Names Ideas

• Below Deck
• The Better Team
• Death At The Net
• Brother At Arms
• Rock Bottom
• Screaming Eagles
• Words Of Wisdom
• Paddle Til It Hurts
• Pacific Sharks
• Grey Sharks
• Recovery Is Not An Option
• Little Rascals
• Bipolar Bunnies
• Lead Riders
• Holly Rollers
• Woozy Bankers
• Silver Bullets
• Black Thunder
• Ponytails
• The Grass Stains

Crossfit Rowing Team Names

• Rowaways
• Rowin’ Dirty
• Gulabi Gang
• Defenders
• Blue Rockets
• Razzle Dazzle
• The Cow Tippers
• Back Street Girls
• In Deep Ship
• A League Of Our Own
• Black And Blues
• Lovable Ladies
• The Jelly Beaners
• Make Waves
• Thunder Bolt
• Babes In Red

How to Name Your Rowing team?

The name of your rowing team is one of the most important things you can have. It will be a reflection on how well you do in this industry and it’s something that people are going to remember for years after they first meet you or hear about you. So, what should you consider when naming your company?

Consider the following points while naming your next big brand:

Know what makes a good name

Thousands of name suggestions are there on the internet. But the question is if they are worth considering? The answer is yes! You need to know why certain names work better than others before choosing them.

For example, “EvaCool” sounds like an obvious choice but does not tell much about the services offered by the company. On the other hand, “EvaGamer” tells more about her work.

• Think about the target audience
• You must think about who would buy from you.

Brainstorm and make a list of company names

You may want to brainstorm with friends and family members. Or you could use online tools such as Google search engine. There are many websites where you can find thousands of ideas. Just type in keywords related to your rowing team and see which ones come up.

Once you get some idea, choose the best option among all of them. If you don’t feel confident enough then ask someone else to help you out. They might give you some great advice.

• The Fabulous Partners
• Miracle Workers
• The Rebels
• Dark Angels
• The New Crew
• Sweet Sours
• Flower Charms
• Golden Flashes
• Blue Smashers
• Water Dragons
• Green Galaxy

Play with words to get the best name

There are different ways to play around with words to create catchy names. For instance, you can combine two words together to form a new word. This way, you can add meaning to the combination.

Another thing you can try is using acronyms. Acronym means shortening of a long word. Using these abbreviations helps you save space and time.

You can also consider using a dictionary for related adjectives and synonyms.

Keep on narrowing the list of names down

After coming up with several options, narrow down the choices based on the criteria mentioned above. Choose only those names that fit into your niche market. Also keep in mind whether any of the names sound too similar to each other.

If you still cannot decide between two names, go ahead and pick both of them. Then later, you can change the name once you start getting customers.

Naming your next cool company is just half the job done.

• The Manhandlers
• Foolish Owls
• Seas The Day
• Charmers
• Peach Power
• Dragon Slayers
• Start Strong Finish Stronger
• Electric Currents

Think about the emotion you want to evoke

When thinking about the name of your company, you must take care of emotions involved. A name that evokes positive feelings in the minds of potential clients is always preferable over negative ones.

So, what kind of feeling do you want to invoke in your prospective clients? Do you want to convey professionalism? Ease of doing rowing team? Trustworthiness? These are questions you must ask yourself.

In case you are looking for inspiration, above are some examples of successful companies names ideas.

Avoid hard-to-spell and hard to remember names

It is important to avoid naming your company after something difficult to spell or pronounce. It will be very frustrating when people have trouble pronouncing it. So, stick to easy to say and spell-able names.

Also, avoid making your company name so unique that no one has ever heard of it. People should easily recognize your brand.

Your company name needs to stand out amongst competitors. Make sure it conveys the right message to your prospects.

• Orange Dots
• Tragic Magic
• Water Adventurers
• Red Storm
• Fly Girls
• Fire Rockets
• Awesome Blossoms
• Darling Angels

Use a name that conveys some meaning

A good name should not only tell people how they can contact you but also provide an insight into your services. You need to communicate clearly through your name.

For example, if you sell paint products, you can call your company “Paint by ABC” instead of simply calling it ‘ABC Paint’. The former implies more than just selling paints.

Make sure your company name stands out. The first impression matters most.

Consider a name that tells a story

The name of your company should reflect its history as well as future plans. Your company name should be able to describe who you are and what you offer.

This is why many rowing teams use their initials as part of their company name. For example, “HGTV” stands for Home & Garden Television. HGTV shows home improvement projects.

However, this approach may not work for all types of rowing teams. If you plan to expand beyond DIY projects, then you might choose a longer name like “Stars Improvement Services”.

People often forget the names of things they own. But, they never forget the names of brands they love.

• Unsinkable Bow Down
• Invisible Chords
• The Proud Crowd
• Fake Madrid

Make it catchy and memorable.

To make your company name catchy, think about using words that represent your core values. This way, even though your company changes directions, your name remains relevant.

You don’t necessarily need to come up with a new name every time you launch a product or service. However, you should consider changing your company’s name whenever there is a significant shift in direction or strategy.

Don’t pick a name that limits your rowing team growth

If you decide to start a new venture, you shouldn’t limit yourself from growing bigger. Choose a name that allows you to grow without any restrictions.

This point is for rowing team owners who intend to spread their rowing team in the future. They know that having a limited scope makes them less competitive.

So, choosing a name with great future growth and expansion potentials would help you achieve success faster.

• Piece Of Ship
• No Sympathy
• Fire Hunks
• Friendly Alligators
• Empty Heads
• Just Stroke It
• The Fantastic Five

Consider referencing to a book or movie

Many entrepreneurs find themselves inspired by famous books or movies. In fact, these references can inspire you to create a better company name.

When brainstorming for a name, try thinking outside the box. Instead of coming up with a creative idea on your own, ask others for suggestions.

They could include friends, family members, colleagues, etc. Also, look at other companies’ websites and social media pages. These sites usually list the names of previous clients.

Many small rowing teams took advantage of popular characters from stories and movies. It helped their rowing teams and they needed relatively less marketing tactics.

Conduct a thorough internet search.

Before naming your company, conduct a comprehensive online research. Look for similar companies and see which ones have been successful.

Also, check whether your proposed name has already been registered. There are several free tools available online that will allow you to do so.

Once you’ve found a suitable name, register it immediately. Don’t wait until after launching your website because doing so will cost you money.

• Orange Snakes
• Rebels Without A Pause
• Sunshine Shooters
• Slow N Steady
• Hold The Mayo
• Blew By U
• Women’s Quadruple Sculls
• Running Rapids

Consider international portability of your company’s name

In case you want to sell products overseas, you must ensure that your brand name isn’t trademarked anywhere else. You also need to be careful when registering your domain name.

It’s important to note that some countries require additional registration fees if you wish to protect your intellectual property rights. So, before starting an e-commerce store, consult local laws regarding trademarks and copyrights.

The same goes for foreign investors. If you plan to raise capital abroad, then you’ll need to get permission first.

The best thing to do is to hire a lawyer specializing in IP law. He/she will guide you through all legal procedures required to secure your right to use your chosen name.

Get the .com domain name

There are many reasons why getting a.com domain name is essential. First, this type of domain extension is considered as one of the most valuable domains out there. Second, it helps build trust among customers since people associate a .com extensions with quality brands. Third, it gives you more opportunities to earn revenue via advertising. Fourth, it increases traffic flow to your site. And finally, it boosts SEO rankings.

However, not everyone gets a .com domain name. You can go for other famous TLD’s, in case .com is already taken i.e. .net, .org and .biz.

• The Waiver Wire
• Look Out Crew
• Silver Stars
• Bravehearts
• Red Dragons
• The Long-Bottoms
• Horsepower

Conduct a trademark search

If you’re planning to launch an e-commerce rowing team, make sure that your product’s name doesn’t infringe upon any existing trademarks. This includes both generic terms and specific phrases.

You should always perform a trademark search prior to using a particular term. The results of such searches may vary depending on where you live.

Get feedback on the name

You might think that choosing a good name would be easy but it takes time and effort. Therefore, don’t rush into making decisions. Instead, ask others about what they like or dislike about your potential new name.

Ask them how they’d feel if someone used their favorite phrase or character in his/her own rowing team. They might even suggest alternative options.

• Hot Women
• Dancing Demons
• Rhythmic Routes
• Fart Sniffers
• Nauti & Nice
• The Magnificient Seven
• Every Day Is Race Day
• Scenic Pierce
• Bow & Row
• Hurricane Rush
• Slime Green

Make sure the name sounds good when said aloud

When selecting a name for your e-store, keep in mind that its pronunciation shouldn’t sound awkward. Also, avoid names that contain numbers or special characters. These could cause problems during checkout.

Some names seem good on just paper and they sound awful. For example, “Bargain” has negative connotations. Avoid such things at the earliest.

Use free resources for brainstorming name ideas

To help come up with great names, try browsing online forums dedicated to naming conventions. There, you can find lists of popular words and expressions which have been associated with certain industries over the years.

There are hundreds of resources out there that could give you suggestions on what kind of name you should choose. However, these sites usually focus only on English language users. That means you won’t see much information related to non-English speaking markets.

So, use these free resources before jumping into buying premium services.

• The Drifters
• Voodoo Dolls
• Butterflies
• Bad Cats
• Labor Force Of Nature
• Partners At Large
• The Creeping Spiders

Make sure you are personally happy with the rowing team name

Once you’ve settled on a name, check whether you still want it after some time passes. If yes, then proceed further. Otherwise, change it back to something else.

Choosing a suitable name isn’t easy. But once you get it right, you’ll reap benefits from it forever. So, take your time and follow our tips above carefully.

A good name for your rowing team will help it stand out from the crowd. It’s also important to choose a name that won’t cause legal problems down the road.

We wish you good luck with the naming process, if you need any help do let us know!

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Hello friends! It’s Petra again, and today, I thought I would help those who have a lot of questions regarding the terminology used in rowing. Words like bow pair, bow coxed boat, and many others can be quite confusing.

For instance, a rowing team is called a “crew” in most parts of the world. However, in the USA, the people in the boat are called a team or a rowing team. Americans use the word crew or crewing to refer to the sport of rowing.

I understand. This sounds like a lot if you’re new to rowing, but don’t worry. With today’s article, I’m going to help get you up to speed with the terminology used in the rowing world.

Let’s be honest, not everyone grows up in a family that is into rowing. I’ve known many people who didn’t even consider rowing until they were in their 50s or 60s and had retired from their jobs!

Even if you have no plans to jump in a rowboat yourself, you may like watching regattas, so I’m sure you’ll find today’s piece interesting and helpful.

Grab a cup of your favorite beverage, and let’s get down to brass tacks!

What Do They Call the Rowers in the Boat?

Before we start, I want to explain that other countries, even English-speaking countries like Australia, use some rowing terms that are different from those used in the USA.

For the most part, I’m going to focus on the terminology used in the USA. If I talk about terms that other countries use, I’ll be sure to tell you what country it is that I’m talking about.

First, let’s clear the air by talking about the two types of rowing.

What Are the Main Types of Rowing?

If you are holding two oars, then what you are doing is called sculling. It doesn’t matter if you are alone or with others in the boat, you are sculling.

If you are holding one oar blade, and another rower is holding another oar on the opposite side of the boat, you are doing sweep rowing, sometimes called sweeping. Sweeping involves at least two people in the boat.

While nearly everyone else in the English-speaking world calls the people in a rowboat a crew, American schools frequently intermix the terms rowing and crew or crewing (read more on rowing team positions ).

Yes, for Americans, a crew and/or crewing is the same thing as the act of rowing. Therefore, in the US, the people in the boat aren’t a crew, but a team sometimes referred to as a rowing team.

Don’t let this confuse you. If you hear an announcer at a regatta saying, for example, that the next crew is about to begin, they simply mean that the next rowing race is about to start. If the announcer asks for Poseidon’s team to meet at the dock, they are asking for team members from a particular boat to meet somewhere.

The United States Rowing Association uses the term crew for rowing, while in most parts of the world, the term crew refers to the people in the boat.

Don’t worry, once you’ve watched the sport of rowing for a season or two, you’ll become familiar with these terms and you won’t think twice about their meaning.

• Learn More:  Is Rowing Hard

What Is the Leader of the Rowing Team Called?

Rowing is a team sport, so it needs a leader. The leader, if you will, is called the coxswain.

Some people refer to the coxswain as the coach, but they are much more than just a coach. Some of their duties include:

• Keeping the team safe by avoiding obstacles and making sure that the rules of the race are followed
• Steers the boat
• Stay in command at all times
• Coach when necessary
• Provide feedback to the team, both in and out of the boat
• Make tactical decisions when required
• Organize and direct the team even outside the race, such as directing who will remove the boat from the water, etc.
• Take full responsibility for the boat and the team, especially if an accident occurs.

At some clubs, the coxswain is also responsible for the training schedule, implementing it, and deciding who will row in a regatta and who will row on which team and in a particular boat.

The coxswain knows everything about each team member. They know who is stronger, who they can count on in the last 100 meters, who works well together, each team member’s friends and advisories, as well as each team member’s strengths and weaknesses.

The coxswain doesn’t row, and you will often find the coxswain is tiny in comparison to other members of the crew team. This makes sense when you consider that the coxswain is just dead weight.

The coxswain also isn’t included in the age category. So everyone on the team can be 30 years of age and the coxswain can be 50 or 15 years old. The same is true with the sex. Even if this is a male-only team, the coxswain can be a female.

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This wasn’t always the case but the rules were changed in 2017 that allow any sex to act as coxswain.

Since the coxswain needs to be as light as possible to prevent dead weight from holding back the boat, it is not uncommon to find regattas that have minimum weight rules for the coxswain. If the coxswain doesn’t meet the minimum weight requirement, the boat must have a bag of sand put on board to make up the difference.

For example, if the coxswain weighs only 90 pounds and the minimum weight is 100 pounds, then this team will add a 10-pound bag of sand to the boat to make up the difference.

They may be short, thin, young, or old, but the coxswain is super important to the team and this single person can make the difference whether a team wins or loses the race.

• What is a Crab in Rowing

What Do They Call a Team Without a Coxswain?

A rowing boat without a cox is a called a coxless pair or coxless quad or you might hear them refer to a coxless boat as a “straight” boat.

A coxless pair and a coxless quad (meaning 4 rowers) are the only coxless boats you will see at any regatta.

Due to their speed and lack of maneuverability, eight rowers without a cox are very rare and are considered dangerous.

Coxless eights are usually seen only in beginners classes for youngsters of elementary school age.

What Is the Difference Between Head Races and Regattas?

While these are both races, they are a bit different.

Imagine the difference between a 100-yard dash and a marathon. That should help give you an idea.

There is more than one race at a regatta. There are different races due to sex categories, weight categories, age subcategories, races between sweep boats and sculling boats, etc.

A regatta often takes up an entire day, from sunup to sundown. It can be exhausting but SO much fun!

A head race is a single race but it is much longer than the usual regatta race.

A regatta is typically 2,000 meters or just over one mile. Head races are often 3 or 4 miles in length and they involve obstacles, such as rocks, trees, or bridges that one must pass under and not strike any pylons.

In a head race, boats set off one at a time, rather than everyone at the same time as what happens with regattas. During a head race, each boat is timed from the start until they cross that finish line.

Head races were originally planned to help keep rowers in shape as the season comes to a close. Nearly all head races are held in the fall but a few, in warmer places like California, are held in January.

The Head of the Charles is by and far the largest head race, taking up two entire days. There are approximately 11,000 rowers who compete in this event that is held in mid-October. The course is 3-miles long and has occurred every year since 1965.

One of the best-known and oldest head races is the Henley royal regatta held on the Thames River in the UK. This is held over 5 days and has been ongoing since 1839!

What Is the Difference Between a Boat, a Shell, and a Scull?

Actually, two of these are the same word as far as the World Rowing Championships are concerned!

It is perfectly fine to call the boat a boat, however, you may hear the term shell also used. This is because most boats are little more than a shell when compared to larger boats that are used for pleasure or for fishing.

Some boats measure as little as 20 inches wide! This makes balance a thing of great concern! You can barely fit your behind and your feet in the boat.

Why are these boats so narrow? It’s all about weight.

Do not, however, call the boat itself a scull. The person in the boat is a scull, whether he’s a single sculler or he’s part of the sculling team, the type of rowing they are doing is called sculling or they are part of a double scull, but the boat is NOT a scull.

If you want to sound like an old hand, get used to calling the boat a shell.

Commonly Used Terminology

Like most sports, there is a whole world of terminology that rowers use to talk about their rowing races, the racing boat, and the sport itself.

Acquaint yourself with some of these terms so you’ll have a better understanding of what is going on when you attend a regatta:

• The Aligner- This person is responsible for making sure all the boats are evenly aligned at the start of the race so that no one is ahead of the others.
• The Bow- This is the front part of the boat, but in rowing, it’s the front that will pass over the finish line first. The bow also refers to the person sitting in this section or the first person in the boat.
• The Bow Ball- Look carefully and you will see a round, usually rubber protrusion that looks like a rubber ball attached to the bow. This is to protect the bow and to help the judges in the case of a photo finish.
• Bow Four- These are the 4 seats closest to the bow
• Bow Pair- The number 1 and 2 seats in the boat bow
• Bow-Coxed Boat- This is where the coxswain sits in the front, the bow, rather than the stern. Since they also create wind resistance, the cox usually hunches down or lies down with only their head exposed.
• Cadence- The rowing stroke rate or tempo. The coxswain often calls cadence to help keep the rowers synchronized.
• Check- A quick and sudden deceleration of the boat, usually when something goes wrong or when a rower makes a mistake
• Check It Down and Hold Water- This is the coxswain’s command to stop the boat
• Cox Box- A battery-operated device that tells the coxswain the digital stroke rate of the rowers and the elapsed time. Many also have an amplified speaker so rowers can hear the coxswain’s commands
• Crab- When a sloppy stroke occurs, it can throw off the rhythm of the other rowers. While the rhythm can be restored within a few strokes, if an “over the head crab” should happen, the rower makes such a mistake that the oar handle hits them in the abdomen and literally flips them out of the boat. Yes, the rowers must stop, pick up the swimmer, and then continue with the race. Crabbing happens even to the best rowers.
• Erg or Erging- Using an indoor rowing machine. Most rowers keep in shape by using an indoor rowing machine during the winter months. The machine is sometimes called the Erg and what you do on it is called Erging.
• Foot Stretcher- Sometimes just called the stretcher, this is an adjustable device that holds the rowers feet in place.
• German rigged boat- Sometimes called a German Rigger, this setup is different from the usual team which alternates rowers from side to side, but rather this has two consecutive rowers who have oars on the same side of the boat.
• Keel- The centerline of the boat. If your boat is “off keel”, they are saying that the boat is off-balance.
• Let It Run- When the coxswain calls this, rowers stop rowing and allow the boat to glide through the water.
• Port- When facing the bow, the port is the left side of the boat
• Race Pace- The number of strokes per minute that a team can sustain for the entire race
• Rudder- A small fin or arm that is used by the coxswain to control the direction of the boat
• Set- The balance of the boat with every rower on board
• Starboard- The right side of the boat
• Washing Out- When the oar blade comes out of the water too early
• Way-Nuff- Short for Way Enough, this is only used in the USA and it means that the rowers can stop.

There are more terms that you may hear, but these are some of the most common, along with words you have already learned from this article, like shell, scull, and sweep boats.

Are There Other Terms for Rowing Besides Crew?

Yes, you might hear other words being used depending on the situation.

Common words for rowing include:

• Trawling
• Canoeing
• Sculling
• Boating
• Cruising
• Paddling
• Drifting

I’ve even heard a few people refer to rowing as yachting or sailing, which are very different things but to each their own!

What Are Crew Races Called?

There are different names for the different races depending on several factors. For example, you might hear races called like this:

• Single Scull– One person in the boat holding two oars, one oar in each hand
• Double Scull– Two people in the boat, each holding an oar in one hand
• Coxless Pair (or Straight Pair) – Two people in the boat, each holding one oar
• Coxed Pair– Three people in the boat, two holding one oar each and the coxswain
• Coxed Four (or Coxed Quad)- 5 people in the boat. Four of them are holding one oar each, the 5th person is the coxswain.

You can hear different combinations that are similar to the ones above, such as a Coxless Four or Quad or some other combination. You will become familiar with these terms as you go along.

Remember, practice makes perfect, so the more regattas you attend, the more accustomed you will be to the rowing language.  Side Note:  You might also like to read my other article where I talk about rowing a pair in more detail.

The Bottom Line

The list of rowing terminology is quite long, but I’ve put the most common terms in this article. If you can learn these words, you’ll enjoy your time at the regattas much more.

Rowing is the first intercollegiate sports contest held in the USA. Although women were not allowed to row until 1976, it is still just as popular today as it ever has been.

I hope you found this article helpful. Feel free to pass it on. Rowing isn’t everything, but life sure seems a lot easier when you’ve got rowing on your mind.

Keep rowing on, my friends!

Written by Petra Amara – RowingCrazy.com
CEO & Founder of RowingCrazy, National Rower, Coxswain Womens Eight Team, Rowing Coach & Writer

Petra is a Mother of two and owner of Rowingcrazy.com. Petra lives and breathes rowing, she also has a passion for writing which lead her to start RowingCrazy.com to share her rowing experience and expertise with others.

Learn More About Petra Here!

Asked by: Prof. Orlando Schultz MD

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: surrounded by the sea.

What is land adjoining the sea called?

Littoral land is a term used to refer to land that is located next to a pooled body of water. Littoral land includes land that is situated next to a lake, ocean, or sea. … Littoral land is colloquially called «beachfront» or «lakefront» property, while riparian land has earned the moniker of «riverfront» property.

What is a rowing team called crossword?

Synonyms, crossword answers and other related words for ROWING TEAM [crew]

What is another name for beast of burden?

In this page you can discover 9 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for beast-of-burden, like: pack-animal, pack-horse, draft-animal, work animal, pack mule, sumpter, jument, swot and slogger.

What is another name for rowing team?

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.

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• Castaways
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• Bow & Row
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• Unsinkable Bow Down
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• Piece of Ship
• Get Rowin’
• Row Hard
• Row Hard or Row Home
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• Below Deck

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In competitive rowing, the following specialized terms are important in the corresponding aspects of the sport:

Boat classes[edit]

In competitive rowing events, abbreviations are used for different boat classes.

Weight

• L, LWT or Lt: Lightweight rowing
• If not present the crew is open weight

Age

• J: Junior(Under 19 years of age)
• B: Senior B (Under 23 years of age)
• Masters: over 27, includes a letter designation for the average age of the crew:
  • A – 27 years of age and older
  • B – 36 years of age and older
  • C – 43 years of age and older
  • D – 50 years of age and older
  • E – 55 years of age and older
  • F – 60 years of age and older
  • G – 65 years of age and older
  • H – 70 years of age and older
  • I – 75 years of age and older
  • J – 80 years of age and older
• If none of these abbreviations are present the crew is Senior A
• These age categories are effectively common to both FISA (Bye-Law to Rule 27) and USRowing (Rule 4–104) rules. USRowing also designates a AA category for ages 21–26, and defines Masters as over 21 rather than 27.^[1][2]
• There are no age restrictions for coxswains and their age is not factored into the average age of the crew.^[1][2]

Gender

• M: Men’s
• W: Women’s
• Mixed: Equal numbers of either gender (excluding coxswain)

Crew Size

• 1, 2, 4, 8: The number of rowers in the crew. It is common to use Roman numerals, especially when referring to a VIII.

Discipline

• x: Sculling boat
• If not present then the boat is sweep-oar

Coxswain

• +: Coxed (with coxswain)
• -: Coxless (without coxswain)
• If not present then the boat is coxless, except for an eight.

Examples

• M8+ = Men’s eight
• W4- = Women’s coxless four (or «straight four»)
• LM2- = Lightweight men’s coxless pair
• BM1x = Men’s single sculls under age 23
• JW4x = Junior women’s quad
• Masters WC2x = Masters women’s double sculls with average crew age between 43–49
• Mixed Masters 8+ = Eight with 4 women and 4 men as rowers and a coxswain of either gender

Athletes[edit]

Ambidextrous

(UK) A rower who can row both on stroke side and bow side. (US) A rower who can row both on the starboard and port sides of the boat. In the US this is also known as bisweptual.^[3]

Bow (or bow seat)

The rower closest to the front or bow of a multi-person shell. In coxless boats, often the person who keeps an eye on the water behind them to avoid accidents.

Bowside

(UK) Any sweep rower who rows with the oar on the bowside (usually, the right or starboard side) of the boat.

Coxswain or «cox»

The oar-less crew-member, usually included, who is responsible for steering and race strategy. The coxswain either sits in the stern or lies in the bow of the boat, and faces in the direction of travel.

Engine room

The middle rowers in the boat. In an 8-person shell, these are generally seats 6, 5, 4 and 3. They are generally the biggest and strongest rowers, who provide most of the power to the boat. Also called Power House.^[3]

Hammer

A rower known more for their powerful pulling rather than technical rowing proficiency.^{[citation needed]}

Heavyweight

A rower who weighs more than the limit for lightweight rowing. Often referred to as Open weight.

Lightweight

A rower whose weight allows them to be eligible to compete in lightweight rowing events.

Novices or novicing

Rowers who are rowing for their first year, or (in the UK) a rower who has not won a qualifying regatta.^[4][5]

Port

(US) A sweep rower who rows with the oar on the port or left side of the boat. This means that the oar blade is placed to the rower’s right side.

Sculler

A rower who rows with two oars, one in each hand.

Seat number

A rower’s position in the boat counting up from the bow. In an eight, the person closest to the bow of the boat is 1 or «bow,» the next is 2, followed by 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and finally 8 or «stroke.» In certain countries the seats are numbered the opposite way, from stroke up to bow.

Starboard

(US) A sweep rower who rows with the oar on the starboard or right side of the boat. This means that the oar blade is placed to the rower’s left side.

Stroke or stroke seat

The rower closest to the stern of the boat, responsible for the stroke rate and rhythm.

Stroke side

(UK) Any sweep rower who rows with the oar on the stroke side (usually, the left or port side) of the boat.

Sweep

A style of rowing in which each rower uses one oar.

Wash

The wake from a motorized boat, disliked by rowers as the wash affects the boat stability and can cause water to flood over the gunwales.

Boats[edit]

Sometimes called «shells» in the US

Sweep[edit]

In a sweep boat, each rower has one oar.

Eight (8+)

A shell with 8 rowers. Along with the single scull, it is traditionally considered to be the blue ribbon event. Always with coxswain because of the size, weight and speed of the boat – bow loader eights exist but are banned from most competitions for safety reasons.

Four (4-) or (4+)

A shell with 4 rowers. Coxless fours (4-) are often referred to as straight fours, and are commonly used by lightweight and elite crews and are raced at the Olympics. In club and school rowing, one more frequently sees a coxed four (4+) which is easier to row, and has a coxswain to steer.

Pair (2-) or (2+)

A shell with 2 rowers. The Coxless pair (2-), often called a straight pair, is a demanding but satisfying boat to master. Coxed pairs (2+) are rarely rowed by most club and school programs. It is no longer an Olympic class event, but it continues to be rowed at the World Rowing Championships.

Sculling[edit]

In a sculling boat, each rower has two oars or ‘sculls’, one on each side of the boat.

Octuple (8x)

A shell having 8 rowers with two oars each. Generally a training boat, but raced by juniors in the UK.

Quad (4x)

A shell having 4 rowers with two oars each. Can be coxed (4x+) but is usually coxless (4x-).

Triple (3x)

A shell for three scullers with two oars each, usually without a coxswain. These boats are considerably rare.

Double (2x)

A shell for two scullers generally without a coxswain.

Single (1x)

A shell designed for an individual sculler. Very good for skill development, particularly beginners, and a very competitive class at world events, WRC. Extremely rare is the coxed single which is only used as a training boat or for adaptive rowing.

Open-water boat[edit]

A shell with positive flotation, self-bailing capacity, a non-binding stretcher, and no forestay so re-entry is easier. These boats are generally shorter and wider at the waterline than boats designed for flat-water racing.

Equipment, parts of the boat[edit]

Rigging is how the boat is outfitted, including all of the apparatuses (oars, outriggers, oarlocks, sliding seats, etcetera) attached to a boat that allow the rower to propel the boat through the water. The term comes from an old Old English wrigan or wrihan, which means «to clothe.» It literally means to outfit or clothe a boat. Rigging also refers to the configuration of the boat and settings of the apparatuses. The following terms are often associated with a boat’s rigging, along with other often used terms for equipment used in rowing.

Backstay

A brace which is part of the rigger of sweep rowing boats, which extends toward the bow from the top of the pin.

Backstop

The stop mechanism on the seat slides which prevents the rower’s seat from falling off the sliding tracks at the back end (towards the boat’s bow) of the slide tracks. Also, in the UK, the sliding seat position closest to the boat’s bow. As a command, it instructs the crew to adopt this position. (The US calls this seat position the «back end»).

Blade

The spoon or hatchet/cleaver shaped end of the oar. Also used to refer to the entire oar.

Bowloader / bowcox / bow steered

A shell in which the coxswain seat is near the bow of the boat rather than its stern. The seat in a bow loader partially enclosed and is designed so that the coxswain is virtually lying down, in order to reduce wind resistance and distribute the coxswain’s weight so as to create a lower center of gravity.^[6]

Bow

The front section of a shell; the first section of the shell to cross the finish line.^[7]

Bow ball

A small, soft ball no smaller than 4 cm diameter securely attached to a rowing or sculling boat’s bow. Primarily intended for safety, but also used in deciding which boat crossed the finish line first in very close races.

Bow number

A card displaying the lane number assigned to the boat for a race.

Bow rigged

(UK) The person stroking the boat has their oar on the bowside (starboard or right) rather than the usual strokeside of the boat.

Bowside

(UK) The [starboard] or right side of a boat. Derives from the tradition of having the bow rower’s oar be on the starboard or right side of the boat.

Bucket rigged

a way of rigging a boat so that a pair of rowers both row on the same side of the boat, contrary to rigging on alternate sides. In eights, double and triple buckets are possible (variants also known as German rigged, Italian rigged or tandem-rigged).^[3]

Canvas

The deck of the bow and stern of the boat, which were traditionally covered with canvas.^[8]

Cleaver blade

Modern oar blades that have a more rectangular hatchet-shape. (also hatchet blade)

Collar / Button

A wide plastic ring placed around the sleeve of an oar. The button stops the oar from slipping through the oarlock.

Cox box

Portable voice amplifier; may also optionally incorporate digital readouts displaying stroke rate, boat speed and times.

Coxmate

A portable amplification device, similar to a coxbox, incorporating a digital readout. Higher-end models may also have a built in radio and speed sensor.

Empacher slot

A UK term for the clip at the on the top of the bow for holding racing number plates.^[9][10]

Ergometer (also ergo or erg)

An indoor rowing machine.

Foot stretcher

An adjustable footplate, to which a pair of shoes is typically attached, which allows the rower to easily adjust their physical position relative to the slide and the oarlock. The footplate can be moved (or «stretched») either closer to or farther away from the slide frontstops. (also «Footplate», «Footchock», «Footstop», or «Stretcher»)

Frontstop

The stop mechanism on the seat slides which prevents the rower’s seat from falling off the sliding tracks at the front end (towards the boat’s stern) of the slide tracks. Also, in the UK, the sliding seat position closest to the boat’s stern. As a command, it instructs the crew to adopt this position. (The US calls this seat position the «front end»)

Gate

(UK) Bar across the top of rowlock, secured with a nut, which prevents the oar from coming out of the rowlock. Also historically used to refer to the oarlock or rowlock. Swivel (US)

Gunwales

(pronounced: gunnels) The top rail of the shell (also called Saxboard)

Handle

The part of the oar that the rowers hold and pull with during the stroke.

Hatchet blade

Modern oar blades that have a more rectangular hatchet-shape and which are not symmetrical. (also cleaver blade)

Hull

The actual body of the shell.

Inboard

The length of the oar shaft measured from the button (or from the pin) to the handle.

Keelson

A structure timber resembling the keel, but on the inside of the shell.

Launch

A motorboat used by rowing instructors, coaches or umpires. Referred to as a «coach boat» in Canada.

Leather/sleeve

A thick piece of leather (plastic on modern oars) around the oar to keep the oar lock from wearing out the shaft of the oar (typically wood or carbon fiber).

Lines

The ropes held by the coxswain to control the rudder.

Loom

The part of the oar between the blade and the handle.

Macon blade

Traditional U-shaped oar blade. (also spoon blade and tulip)

Oar

A slender pole which is attached to a boat at the Oarlock. One end of the pole, called the «handle,» is gripped by the rower, the other end has a «blade,» which is placed in the water during the propulsive phase of the stroke.

Oarlock

The rectangular lock at the end of the rigger which physically attaches the oar to the boat. The oarlock also allows the rower to rotate the oar blade between the «square» and «feather» positions. Also historically called ‘Rowing Gate’ by some manufacturers.

Outboard

The length of the oar shaft measured from the button to the tip of the blade.

Outrigger

(See Rigger)

Pin

The vertical metal rod on which the rowlock rotates.

Pogies/poagies

A type of glove covering only the hand leaving the fingers exposed. These allow the rower to grip the oar while also warming the hands, used frequently by rowers in colder climates.^[11]

Port or portside

(US) The left side of the boat when facing toward the bow (strokeside in UK).

Ribs

The name given to the curved parts of the boat to which the skin of the hull is attached. They are typically made of wood, aluminum or composite materials and provide structural integrity. (see also shoulder).

Rigger

Rowing slang name for an outrigger. It is a projection from the side (gunwale) of a racing shell.[1] The oarlock is attached to the far end of the rigger away from the boat. The rigger allows the racing shell to be narrow thereby decreasing drag, while at the same time placing the oarlock at a point that optimizes leverage of the oar. There are several styles of riggers, typically attached either to the side of the hull or to the top of the gunwales. The most common is the triangle frame or Euro rigger (USA), with two points attached to the boat (and almost always with a backstay in addition), and the third point being where the oarlock (gate) is placed. Rigging refers to whether a boat is stroked by a port or starboard (i.e. port-rigged, starboard-rigged). With sweep rowing, riggers typically alternate sides, though it is not uncommon to see two adjacent seats rigged on the same side of the boat. (see bucket rigged)

Rollers

The wheels upon which the seat travels along its track.

Rowlock

Often used in the UK to for an Oarlock (see above). Also historically called ‘Rowing Gate’ by some manufacturers.

Rudder

Adjacent to the skeg and used by the coxswain (or in some coxless boats, by a rower using a «toe» or foot steering mechanism) to steer the boat via attached cables. Extra-large rudders are used on narrower and/or bendier rivers.

Saxboard

The sides and top edge of a boat, to which the riggers attach – see also Gunwales

Scull

(a) An oar made to be used in a sculling boat where each rower has two oars, one per hand (b) A boat (shell) that is propelled using sculling oars, e.g., a «single scull,» is a one-person boat where the rower has two oars.

Seat

Molded seat mounted on wheels, single action or double action. Single action is fixed bearing wheel, double action is wheel on axle that rolls on track and rolls on horns of seat. A secondary meaning of location in the shell, the bow seat is one, and is numbered upward to the stroke seat (8, in an 8-man shell). Thirdly can mean a competitive advantage in a race, to lead a competitor by a seat is to be in front of them by the length of a single rower’s section of a shell.

Seating

Seating positions in a racing shell are generally numbered from the bow to the stern in English-speaking countries, unlike many non-English-speaking countries which count from the Stroke forward. Generally the forwardmost rower is called the «Bow» and the aftmost rower the «Stroke», regardless of the number of rowers in the boat, with all other seats simply being numbered. So for instance the crew of an eight (with coxswain) would number off from the bow: «Bow», «Two», «Three», «Four», «Five», «Six», «Seven», «Stroke», whereas a four (with or without coxswain) or a quad would number off: «Bow», «Two», «Three», «Stroke».

Shell

The boat used for rowing.

Shoulder

Load bearing supports that mount rigger and attach to keel of boat. (also knee)

Skeg (or fin)

Thin piece of flat metal or plastic that helps stabilize the shell in the water, and is often positioned so that it protects the rudder.

Slides (or tracks)

Hollow rails upon which a rower or sculler’s sliding seat will roll. Older shells had double wheels rolling on convex rails.

Slings

Folding, portable temporary boat holders. Two are required to hold a boat.

Smoothie

A blade design developed by Concept2 in which the face of the oar blade is smooth, without the traditional central spine. Later designs called Smoothie Vortex, Fat Smoothie.^[12]

Speed coach

A device mounted on the keel that determines the boat’s speed based on the speed of a small propeller and transmits this information to the coxbox.^[3]

Spoon blade

Traditional U-shaped oar blade, which is symmetrical down the center of the shaft. (also Macon blade or «Tulip»)

Starboard (or starboard side)

(US) The right side of the boat when facing forward. (Bowside in UK)

Starboard rigged

(US) A boat where the stroke rower is a starboard rower. (Bow rigged in UK)

Starting gate

A structure at the starting line of the race. The shell is «backed» into the starting gate. Once in the gates a mechanism, or a person lying on the starting gate, holds the stern of the shell.

State room

The space between the gunwales (UK).^{[citation needed]}

Stern

The rear section of a shell.

Stretcher

A slang abbreviation for foot stretchers.

Strokeside

(UK) The port or left side of the boat (even if the boat is bow rigged). Derives from the tradition of having the stroke rower’s oar on the port or left side of the boat.

Toe

In some boats without a coxswain, a rower may be able to control the rudder and steer the boat by changing the direction their foot points. This is called «toeing a boat.» And the mechanism is called a «toe.» (also: «foot steering»)

Top-Nut

The nut which screws onto the top of the pin holding the Rowlock in place.

Tracks

(see Slides)

Tulip

(see Spoon blade)

Wheel

(see Roller)

Wing rigger

More modern version of an outrigger in the shape of a wing. It has a stiffer workthru which makes the boat more responsive to the power of the stroke. This can also have the extra support of a backstay.

Commands[edit]

«(#) At the catch»

Command to tell the rowers to put their oars in water in preparation to start rowing.

«(#) Fall in/out»

These commands tell the rower(s) either to stop rowing or to start rowing with everyone else. (#) indicates the number of rower(s) who should start or stop – e.g. “Bow pair fall-out, stern pair fall-in in two..”

«Ahead» or «Look Ahead»

Command shouted by a crew about to be overtaken by another crew, telling the overtaking crew of their presence.

«(#) tap it» or «(#) row on»

Tells the rowers to row until told to stop –e.g. “Two, hit it…”

«Back it down»

To have the rowers place their blades at the release position, squared, and push the oar handle towards the stern of the boat. This motion causes the shell to move backwards.

«Blades Down» or «Drop»

Used to tell the rowers to place their blades back on the water after performing an easy-all.

«Blades in (side)»

Tell the rowers on one side to pull their blades in, in order to prevent hitting an object or another boat in the water, or to let another crew pass on a narrow river.

«Cant it upriver/downriver»

While carrying the shell, the athletes are commanded to hold the shell in a diagonal position, the high side as stated.

«Check it/her down»

Square the oars in the water to stop the boat.

«Count Down» (or «number off»)

Tells the crew to call out their seat number, starting at the bow, when ready to row.

«Down on port/starboard»

Means that the boat is leaning to one side or the other. Rowers on the side that is down must raise their hands, and the other side must lower their hands.

«Easy» (or «ease up»)

(USA) To stop rowing hard.

«Easy oars» (or «Easy There») (or «Easy-all»)

(UK) To stop rowing or paddling.

«Even it out» (or «even pressure»)

This command tells the rowers to pull with even pressure on both sides. This is the complement to ease-up.

«Firm up»

Tells the rowers to apply more pressure as needed.

«push for 10» (or «power ten»)

Commands the crew to row 10 strokes of special effort. It is frequently given when a crew is attempting to pass another boat.

«Gunnel!»

A command by the coxswain, where the rowers all hit the gunwales (sides) of the boat with their oar handles. Used in set exercises occasionally.

«Hands in»

Tells the rowers to grab the ribs on the inside of the boat so that the boat can be rolled from heads. The coach or cox uses this command when the crew is putting the shell in the water.

«Hands on»

Tells the rowers to grab the boat next to (or opposite) their seats, so that the boat can be carried or moved.

«Hands out» (or «sit ready to shove»)

Tells the rowers to grab the dock in preparation for shoving off.

«Hard on port/starboard» (or «port/starboard pressure»)

The rowers on that side of the boat must row harder (and the opposite side must row slightly easier) in order to facilitate a sharper turn.

«Heads» or «Heads Up»

Off the water, a shout to alert others to watch out for a boat being carried.

«to Heads, ready, up»

Tells the rowers to press the boat above their heads.

«Hold it/her up»

(UK) Stop the boat.

«Hold it/her hard»

(UK) Emergency stop.

«Hold Water»

(USA) Emergency stop, also used after the command way enough. It instructs the rowers to square their blades in the water to stop the boat.

«In 2…»

Most water commands are appended prior to the command to take place after two strokes. For example, «In 2, Power 10» or «In 2, Way-enough.»

“Inside Grip”

A command used when lifting the boat. Grab the boat so that you can lift it over your head. Grab only the gunwale or hull structure – do not lift by the footstop assembly.

«Lay Hold» (or «hands on»)

Command given telling the athletes to go to their stations and grab a hold of the boat.

«Let it/her run»

To stop rowing after a given piece of on the water rowing length, but to put the handles of the oars either to the gunwales or out in front of the rower, in such a manner that the oar paddles are parallel to the water yet not touching it. This allows the boat to glide for a distance leaving no paddle wake in the water. Similar, but not exactly the same is the command «Gunnel», where rowers push the oars until the handle touches the boat’s gunwale.

«Paddle»

Tells a crew to row with just enough pressure to move the boat. The paddle command is also used to bring a crew down from full pressure at the end of a workout piece or race. Also, «paddle firm», «paddle light».

“Pick it / Picking”

A rapid stroke where rowers use only their arms and use minimal pressure. An effective and impressive way to turn a boat when done right.

«Power 10» (or «10 firm» )

The command to take 10 strokes at more than full pressure. Used for passing and gaining water in a race. (sometimes «Power 5», «Power 20», or «Power 30»)

«Ready all, Row» (or «Ready all, Paddle»)

Begin rowing or paddling.

«Roll it»

Tells the crew to flip the boat over, in unison, from above their heads.

«Set it up»

Reminds the rowers to keep the boat on keel.

«Settle»

A command and a part of the race. This tells the rowers that the crew is going to bring the stroke rate down for the body of the race, but still maintain the pressure. This usually occurs in the middle of the race.

«Ship Oars»

Act of removing the oars from the oar locks and allowing them to float alongside the boat.

«Shoulders, ready, up»

Tells the crew to lift the boat from any position below their shoulders, up to shoulder height. Can be reversed to lower the boat from heads to shoulders, i.e., “Shoulders, ready, down!” This is the best position for carrying a shell.

«Sit in»

Tells the crew to get into the boat.

«Sit ready»

Commands the crew to move to the catch blades buried, and be ready to start the race.

«Scull»

A command used if the stern is held by a stake boat. «Port scull» usually means Two seat takes Bow’s oar in front of them and rows lightly with it. Likewise, «Starboard scull» means Three seat takes Two seat’s oar and does the same. This is easier than having one seat take a stroke since it can move the boat in a more parallel direction.

«Swing it»

A command used when carrying a boat to start turning either bow or stern.

«Take the run off»

To stop rowing and hold the blades at a 45 degree angle in the water to slow the boat down.

«Throw the boat, ready, up — and down»

lift the boat above heads, and bring it down with the rowers all on one side to place it in the water; or the inverse operation.

“Touch it / Touching”

A stroke where rowers use only their arms and back. Used mostly for warm-up or to turn a boat.

«One foot up & out»

The command for exiting a team boat.

«On the square / Square blades rowing»

To row without feathering the blades on the recovery.

«Waist, ready, up»

Tells the crew to lift the shell to their waist.

«Watch your blades (side)»

Tells one side to look out at their blades, and take action to prevent them possibly hitting something.

«Way enough»

The command to stop rowing or, in some cases, whatever the rower is doing, whether it be walking with the boat overhead or rowing. («Way» is a nautical term for the movement of a boat through water (as in headway and right-of-way). So the command «way enough», literally means enough moving the boat). Often pronounced way-nuf, wane-up or wane-off in the United States.

Stroke[edit]

Air stroke

To take a stroke without the blade having been placed in the water, resulting in a complete lack of power.^[3]

Backsplash

Water thrown back toward the bow direction by the blade as it enters the water. Less is best. This indicates that the blade has been properly planted before the rower initiates the drive.

Backwater

To propel the shell backwards.

Body angle

Amount of forward lean of rower’s body from hips at the catch.

Bury the blade

Submerge the blade totally in the water.

Catch

The part of the stroke at which the oar blade enters the water and the drive begins. Rowers conceptualize the oar blade as ‘catching’ or grabbing hold of the water.

Catch point

Where the blade enters the water.

Check

The amount of interruption of the forward movement—usually occurs at the catch and sometimes at the release.

Cover

The distance between one set of puddles and the next set of puddles.

Crab, or catch a crab

A rowing error where the rower is unable to timely remove or release the oar blade from the water and the oar blade acts as a brake on the boat until it is removed from the water. This results in slowing the boat down. A severe crab can even eject a rower (colloquially an «ejector crab») from the shell or capsize the boat (unlikely except in small boats). Occasionally, in a severe crab, the oar handle will knock the rower flat and end up behind them, in which case it is referred to as an «over-the-head crab».

Drive

The propulsive portion of the stroke from the time the oar blade enters the water (‘catch’) until it is removed from the water (‘release’).

Drunken octopus / drunken spider

The poor technique evident when an Eight (8+) is rowed with no two oars moving in the same time or position in the stroke.^{[citation needed]}

Feather

To turn the oar so that its blade is parallel with the water (opposite of square).

Finish

The portion of the pull-through just as the oar is taken from the water.

Hands away

At the close of the drive phase, the hands move away from the body.

Hanging at the catch

The blade is hesitating at the catch point, before entering the water.

Hot seating

When two crews share the same shell, during a regatta, sometimes it is necessary for the crews to switch at the finish line without taking the boat from the water.

Inside hand

The oarsmen’s hand nearest the oar lock. This is the feathering hand.

Jumping the slide

A problem where the seat becomes derailed from the track while rowing.

Keel

The balance of the boat. Good keel means that the stability of the boat is good. «keep keel» is a command often heard from the coxswain when the boat starts to sway. (US)

Lay-back

What the rowers have when they sit with their legs flat and lean towards the bow of the boat with their body.

Leg drive

Power applied to the stroke, at the catch, by the force of driving the legs down. Often heard being yelled from the coach boat.

Missing water

A technical fault where the rower begins the drive before the catch is complete.

Outside hand

The hand of a rower that is placed on the end of the oar handle.

Over reach

Fault done by an oarsman when they comes to their full reach forward and then attempt to obtain even greater length by releasing their grasp on the handle with their outside hand or by bringing their outside shoulder further forward.

Pause paddling

Rowing with a pause between each stroke. The coxswain or rower giving commands will indicate where in the stroke this pause should be taken.

Pitch

The angle between a «squared» blade and a line perpendicular to the water’s surface.

Puddles

Disturbances made by an oar blade pulled through the water. The farther the puddles are pushed past the stern of the boat before each catch, the more “run” the boat is getting.

Pull through

The portion of the stroke from the catch to the finish (when the oar is in the water). This is the propulsive part of the stroke.

Rating

The number of strokes executed per minute by a crew. (also Stroke rate)

Ratio

The relationship between the time taken during the propulsive and recovery phases of a rowing or sculling action.

Recovery

The non-work phase of the stroke where the rower returns the oar from the release to the catch.

Release

At the end of the drive portion of the stroke. It is when the oar blade(s) is removed (or released) from the water.

Run

Distance a shell travels during each stroke.

Rushing

When rowers move too quickly along their tracks into the catch. The boat will lose the feeling that it is gliding or «running out.»

Set

The balance of the boat. Affected by handle heights, rowers leaning, and timing, all of which affect the boat’s balance, after which the coxswain tells rowers to «set the boat». (see keel).

Shooting your slide

When an oarsman’s seat moves toward the bow faster than their shoulders.

Skying

A blade that is too high off the surface of the water during the recovery. The rower’s hands are too low causing an upset to the balance of the boat (the «set»).

Spacing / Run

Distance between bowman’s puddle on one stroke and the point at which the No. 7 rower catches water on the next stroke.

Split time (split)

Amount of time it takes to row 500 meters. Displayed on all ergs and on coxboxes installed on boats with speed coaches (see above).

Square

To turn the oar so that its blade is perpendicular to the water (opposite of feather).

Stroke

1. One complete cycle through the process above.
2. The rower in the stern of a multi-person shell, whose timing is followed by the other rowers.

Stroke rate

The number of strokes executed per minute by a crew. (also rating)

Swing

A feeling in the boat when the rowers are driving and finishing their strokes strongly and getting good layback.

Three-quarter/Half/Quarter slide

Shortened strokes, often used during the start of a race or in a warm-up.

Walking

When passing a boat, the coxswain announces each seat as it is passed.

Washing out

When an oar blade comes out of the water during drive and creates surface wash that causes the shell to lose power and become unsteady.

Race[edit]

Start

In head-to-head races, the start is one of the most important parts of the race. In head races, where boats do not race next to each other, there is a running start, where rowing begins before the starting line and rowers are already at full speed when they cross the start. In sprints (head-to-head), the start consists of the following sections:

1. Actual start: This is generally five or six partial strokes done at a high rate and in a certain pattern, i.e. some three-quarter length strokes (sometimes called three-quarters slide, or «draws»), followed by half strokes («winds»), which are then lengthened into full length strokes. The goal is to get the rowers off to a cohesive start and quickly build momentum, with the rate of the draws being held by the subsequent lengthens. In the draws, it is important to grip the water gently at first and not to «rip», causing turbulence and not transmitting energy effectively. An example start, called by the coxwain, would go as such: «Draw….there! Draw….there! Wind one! Wind two! Wind three! Lengthen it out….Lengthen….Lengthen». The tone, pitch and rhythm of the cox’s voice helps to guide the crew as to what is required.
2. High Ten: A set of strokes done at a high cadence immediately after the start. Not to be confused with «Power Ten,» the high ten is ten strokes at a high rating to finish building speed. Some crews may pull fifteen or twenty high strokes to build even more speed.
3. Settle: Immediately after the rowers complete their high cadence strokes, the stroke tempo is lowered and the stroke lengthened to the rating to be used throughout the body of the race. Often accompanied by a Power 10 or 20. Coxswains may call a «Ten to Settle» or «Ten to Glide» to drop the cadence more gradually.

In bumps racing, the start is of greater importance. Since this kind of racing is focussed on catching the boat starting a length and a half ahead (and equally avoiding being caught), more effort is put into the start than with other types of racing, since it is sure that every other boat will do the same. If you are caught off the start, there is no chance to make it good later in the race. The obvious consequence is that if a boat’s individual race goes the whole distance, the extra effort early on takes a toll.

Body

The body of the race is carried out at a consistent rating, with power tens called as the coxswain deems necessary.

Piece

A race simulation, whereby the rowers row a typical racing distance as fast as possible, the purpose is to train the rowers for endurance and anaerobic fitness and generally prepare them for the real race. Pieces are usually acknowledged by the coach: «We will do a piece.»

Repechage

The “second chance” race given to those crews which fail to qualify for the finals from an opening heat. “Rep” qualifiers move onto semi-finals or finals depending on the number of entries. Used in international racing.

Sprint

The last 500 meters of most races are generally at a much higher rating than the rest of the race, as crews pull to exhaustion.

Flutter/shunt

In head-to-head races, the coxswain may decide to call a flutter, which is essentially the six-stroke start put into the race close to the end. The flutter may push one boat which is trailing another a few seats ahead, but is extremely demanding on a crew. In many cases, it is used as a desperation move when all other options have been exhausted.^{[citation needed]}

Head race

A long race in which rowers race a twisting course of about 3 miles. A race for time. The start is staggered. Usually in the fall months.

Miscellaneous[edit]

Betting shirts

In collegiate competition, crews sometimes «bet» their shirts on the race, and the loser must render a racing shirt with their logo on it to the winner. Traditionally, this was done as the boats were pulled together right after the race ended and shirts were exchanged, but it is now usually done off the water. While there has been questions in regards to the legality of this practice after women’s collegiate crew joined the NCAA, the tradition of betting shirts is upheld by the NCAA Operating Bylaws, Section 10.3.1.1.^[13] The term can refer to either the practice or the shirt itself; some crews have shirts made specifically for betting so as to keep their racing jerseys should they lose a race.^{[citation needed]}

Egg beater

A race where the crews are drawn randomly from a hat, so that boats are made up of members from different teams and often the lineups include coxswains as rowers and vice versa. Also known as scratch race.^{[citation needed]}

Scratch crew

A crew which has not rowed with each other before.^{[citation needed]}

Open water race

Competition on unsheltered water exposed to current, tide, wind and requiring navigation skills as well as strength, endurance, and technique. Generally uses a mass start and includes a mix of human-powered boats. Typical race distances are 6 to 26 miles.

Pot

A tankard awarded as a prize to each member of a winning crew.^{[citation needed]}

Seat race

A method to compare two rowers in fours or eights. Two boats race against each other once. One rower from each boat switch positions, and the two boats race again. Relative performance in the two races is used to compare the abilities of the two rowers.

Trailer

A specially made trailer designed to transport boats for the sport of rowing. The trailers are typically made of steel or aluminium and come in a variety of sizes and configurations.^[14]

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• «FISA 2011 Rule Book». Retrieved October 28, 2011.
• «USRowing Glossary of Rowing Terms». Retrieved October 28, 2011.
• «Glossary of Rowing Terms» (PDF). British Rowing. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
• «Friends of Rowing History Terminology». Archived from the original on October 6, 2009. Retrieved October 28, 2011.