© 2011 Space Coast Crew, Inc. | P.O. Box 372252 Satellite Beach, FL 32937
2011 BREVARD COUNTY CHAMPIONS
Space Coast Crew rowers are fit, friendly, and fun. Experience rowing with
SCC at one of our rowing camps or clinics. Join our team for the competitive
season.
Here is some information from Coach Sam to help you become familiar with rowing terminology and techniques.
Rowing Terminology
I.
Parts of the Boat
Shell - the technical name of any boat
built for competitive rowing
Bow - the front end of the boat
Stern - back end of the boat
Port - facing the bow, the left side (as a
rower, this will be your right)
Starboard - facing the bow, the right side
(as a rower, this will be your left)
Hull - the rounded bottom of the boat
Deck - the covered tops of the bow and
stern
Gunwhale - the sides of the boat
Ribs - supportive structures vertical along
the gunwhale
Tracks - parallel grooves in which the
seat rolls
Foot stretchers - plates with shoes
attached
Footplate - the plate to which the shoes
are attached
Rigger - the metal bars on the sides of
the boat that provide a pivot point for the
oar
Pin / "Jesus Bolt" - the long bolt in the
outboard corner of the rigger
Stays - each bar of the rigger; there is
usually a front, middle, and back stay,
though some boats have only back and
middle.
Oar Lock - the plastic U with a locking gate through which the oar rests, and is allowed to rotate
II.
Parts of the Oar
Blade - flat part at the end, should be the only part in the water during the drive
Shaft - black length between the blade and handle
Collar - black or green plastic sleeve around the shaft, sits in the oar lock
Button - protruding ring around the collar that rests on the inboard side of the oarlock
Handle - end of the oar that is held on to
III.
Parts of the Stroke
Catch - Back straight, knees bent, arms extended, shins perpendicular to the hull of the boat
Drive - with back straight and arms extended, legs extend to flat, the body lays back, then arms pull in
Release/Finish - Hands tap down to lift the blade from the water
Recovery - arms extend, body leans forward, legs side up with control
finish ARMS - BODY - LEGS catch LEGS - BODY - ARMS
IV.
Common Coxswain's Commands
Commands will be given in a standard pattern, creating a rhythm to help the crew move together. This keeps everyone on the same page and safe.
Ex: "Up off the rack… ready… up"
"Hands on / lay hold" - get to the boat, with hands on the gunwhale, prepared to pick it up
"Show heads" - Called before shifting from holding the boat over heads, to shoulders. Each rower, starting from the front will tilt their head to
either the left or the right to show where they will go. Those toward the back must watch to go to the right side to keep even numbers on each side
of the boat.
“Let it run” - stop rowing, let the boat glide forward on the water
“Weigh enough” - stop rowing/walking
“Hold water” - Square the blade and place it in the water, using the oar as a brake
Rowers in the boat will generally be addressed by their seat number (bow, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8/stroke)
If your oar is out to your right side, you are port. Left side, you are starboard.
Erging How-To
Video 1: Some of the novices have an easier time learning visually. Here's a good video of erging
technique, with a brief breakdown. It's short and sweet, just about 2 minutes long. The first drill he
does is what we call a Reverse Pick Drill; when he is at legs only, we'll call this the Bump Drill (both
will be used on the water and or ergs at some point).
Video 2: Here's another great example. Just know that if you adopt this technique, you'll not be
likely to win...anything : P