TERMS
Blade - The wide flat section of the oar at the head of the shaft. The two types of blades are called hatchets and spoons.
Bow - The forward end of the shell.
Check - Any abrupt deceleration of the shell caused by some uncontrolled motion within the shell; an interruption in the forward motion of the shell. Also used as a command ("check it!") to stop a shell as fast as possible by jamming the blades into the water as brakes.
Course - A straight racecourse for rowers that normally has 6 lanes. In high school, the course length is 1500 meters, while in college and Olympic events; the course of the length is 2000 meters.
Cox Box - A small electronic device, which aids the coxswain by amplifying his or her voice, and which gives a readout of important information such as stroke count.
Coxswain (or Cox, or Cox'n) - The person who sits at the stern of the shell (although this may be in the bow of some 4s), steers, gives commands, calls the ratings, and urges the rowers on in a race. A knowledgeable coxswain will generally serve as an "onsite/in-the-shell" assistant to the coach. Usually light in weight, a good coxswain will have as much competitive spirit as the rowers and can make a considerable difference in a race.
ERG - Machines that simulate the rowing motion and help rowers improve their techniques off the water, i.e. rowing machine.
Foot Stretcher - Adjustable brackets in a shell to which the rower's feet are secured in attached sneakers or similar footwear.
Gunwale - Top section on the sides of a shell hull. The riggers are secured to the gunwale with bolts.
Land Training - Practice that helps build endurance and strength for practices on the water and for racing. Consists of running and other cardio workouts, in addition to training on ergometers ("ergs").
Oar - The piece of equipment that each rower uses to propel the boat. In sweep rowing, each oar is approximately 12 feet long, lightweight and well designed.
Oarlock - A U-shaped swivel that holds the oar in place. It is mounted at the end of the rigger and rotates around a metal pin.
Port - The left side of the shell when facing the bow. In sweep rowing, the designation of the rower who normally rows with an oar on the port side.
Rigger - The device that connects the oarlock to the shell and is bolted to the body of the shell.
Rigging - The configuration of accessories (riggers, foot stretchers, oars, 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 on the oar and the pitch of the blade of the oar.
"Row Easy" or "Paddle" - A command to use very light strokes to move the boat through the water at a slow speed. Usually used when approaching a dock.
Rudder - Steering device at the stern. The rudder is connected to cables (tiller ropes) that the coxswain uses to steer the shell.
Shell - The racing boat. Shells come in configurations and sizes for single rowers, pairs, fours and eights. An eight is approximately 60 fee long, narrow (about two feet wide at its widest point), and weighs about 280 pounds.
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.
Slide (or Track) - Two tracks on which the seat moves. The seat moves forward and backward on the slide, enabling the rower to compress his or her body at the start of the stroke and then use the combined power of the legs, back and arms when actually executing the stroke.
Slings (or Boat Slings) - Collapsible/portable frames with straps upon which a shell can be placed temporarily.
Starboard - The right side of the shell when facing the bow. In sweep rowing, the designation of a rower who normally rows with an oar on the starboard side.
Stern - The rear end of the shell.
The Stroke - The rower sitting nearest the stern (and the coxswain). The stroke is responsible for setting the stroke length and cadence for the rest of the crew, following the commands and encouragement of the coxswain.
Sweep - A shell configured so that each rower has one oar. Oars on a sweep shell are normally alternated from side to side.
Water Training - Practices on the water in the rowing shells. Water training focuses on technique work and training "pieces", which mimic races.
"Way-Enough" - Actually sounds like "way-nuff". This is the coxswain's call to have all rowers stop rowing and let the boat come to a stop.
Bow - The forward end of the shell.
Check - Any abrupt deceleration of the shell caused by some uncontrolled motion within the shell; an interruption in the forward motion of the shell. Also used as a command ("check it!") to stop a shell as fast as possible by jamming the blades into the water as brakes.
Course - A straight racecourse for rowers that normally has 6 lanes. In high school, the course length is 1500 meters, while in college and Olympic events; the course of the length is 2000 meters.
Cox Box - A small electronic device, which aids the coxswain by amplifying his or her voice, and which gives a readout of important information such as stroke count.
Coxswain (or Cox, or Cox'n) - The person who sits at the stern of the shell (although this may be in the bow of some 4s), steers, gives commands, calls the ratings, and urges the rowers on in a race. A knowledgeable coxswain will generally serve as an "onsite/in-the-shell" assistant to the coach. Usually light in weight, a good coxswain will have as much competitive spirit as the rowers and can make a considerable difference in a race.
ERG - Machines that simulate the rowing motion and help rowers improve their techniques off the water, i.e. rowing machine.
Foot Stretcher - Adjustable brackets in a shell to which the rower's feet are secured in attached sneakers or similar footwear.
Gunwale - Top section on the sides of a shell hull. The riggers are secured to the gunwale with bolts.
Land Training - Practice that helps build endurance and strength for practices on the water and for racing. Consists of running and other cardio workouts, in addition to training on ergometers ("ergs").
Oar - The piece of equipment that each rower uses to propel the boat. In sweep rowing, each oar is approximately 12 feet long, lightweight and well designed.
Oarlock - A U-shaped swivel that holds the oar in place. It is mounted at the end of the rigger and rotates around a metal pin.
Port - The left side of the shell when facing the bow. In sweep rowing, the designation of the rower who normally rows with an oar on the port side.
Rigger - The device that connects the oarlock to the shell and is bolted to the body of the shell.
Rigging - The configuration of accessories (riggers, foot stretchers, oars, 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 on the oar and the pitch of the blade of the oar.
"Row Easy" or "Paddle" - A command to use very light strokes to move the boat through the water at a slow speed. Usually used when approaching a dock.
Rudder - Steering device at the stern. The rudder is connected to cables (tiller ropes) that the coxswain uses to steer the shell.
Shell - The racing boat. Shells come in configurations and sizes for single rowers, pairs, fours and eights. An eight is approximately 60 fee long, narrow (about two feet wide at its widest point), and weighs about 280 pounds.
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.
Slide (or Track) - Two tracks on which the seat moves. The seat moves forward and backward on the slide, enabling the rower to compress his or her body at the start of the stroke and then use the combined power of the legs, back and arms when actually executing the stroke.
Slings (or Boat Slings) - Collapsible/portable frames with straps upon which a shell can be placed temporarily.
Starboard - The right side of the shell when facing the bow. In sweep rowing, the designation of a rower who normally rows with an oar on the starboard side.
Stern - The rear end of the shell.
The Stroke - The rower sitting nearest the stern (and the coxswain). The stroke is responsible for setting the stroke length and cadence for the rest of the crew, following the commands and encouragement of the coxswain.
Sweep - A shell configured so that each rower has one oar. Oars on a sweep shell are normally alternated from side to side.
Water Training - Practices on the water in the rowing shells. Water training focuses on technique work and training "pieces", which mimic races.
"Way-Enough" - Actually sounds like "way-nuff". This is the coxswain's call to have all rowers stop rowing and let the boat come to a stop.