Glossary of Rowing Terms

Lever used to propel a rowing boat. Also known as an Oar.

The end of the boat that travels through the water first and is sharpest.  The athlete who sits in the seat position nearest to this end of the boat.

The right hand (starboard) side of the boat as the cox sits or the left hand side of the boat for a rower. Often marked by a green stripe on the oar.

A small number of strokes (usually less than a minute) taken at full pressure.

The covered section of the boat that is from the bow to the open area (where the athlete sits) and from the open area to the stern. Often used as a description of how much a race has been won or lost by.

Person who steers the boat by means of strings or wires attached to the rudder. Can be positioned in either the stern or box of the boat.

A boat without a cox.

When the oar becomes caught in the water at the moment of extraction and the blade/oar handle strikes the athlete. Often causes unintentional release of the blade/oar and significant slowing of boat speed. The term ‘catching a crab’ is often used.

Boat for two scullers.

Boat for eight sweep rowers. Will always have a cox.

Boat for four sweep rowers. Can be with cox or coxless.

Race in which crews are timed over a set distance. Usually run as a processional race rather that side by side.

Boat for two sweep rowers.

Lever used to propel a rowing boat. Also known as a Blade.

Boat for four scullers.

Number of strokes rowed in a minute.

A competition with events for different boat type and status athletes usually involving heats, semi-finals and finals for each event. Boats compete side by side from a standing start.

The regularity and consistency of a crew’s stroke pattern.

Smaller version of the oar used for sculling.

Rowing with two oars.

The smooth hull of the boat. Sometimes made from wood but more commonly now from a synthetic material.

Two metal runners on which the seat travels.

The distance between the centres of the bow and stroke side swivel on a sculling boat.

An anchored boat or pontoon from which rowing boats are held prior to a race starting.

The end of the boat that travels through the water last.

One cycle of the oar.  The rower who sits closest to the stern of the boat in front of all the others and is responsible for the rating and rhythm of the boat. Other crew members can influence rating and rhythm from behind.

The left-hand (port) side of the boat as the cox sits or the right-hand side of the boat for a rower. Often marked by a red stripe on the oar.

A metallic or carbon plate inside the boat to which the shoes are attached.

Rowing with one oar on one side of the boat.