49 rowing terms explained, including regatta, crew, coxswain, catch a crab and power ten, each with a one-line definition.
Rowing terminology is half boat-building and half shouted command, and a newcomer meets both in the first outing. What follows is a glossary of rowing terms in the order they come up: the words related to rowing equipment, the words associated with the stroke itself, and the calls the coxswain makes over the crew. If you only need one line on a single term, use the rowing glossary further down.
Must-Know Rowing Terms, Phrases and Slang:
- Blade
- Bow
- Coxswain
- Catch
- Drive
- Ergometer
- Feathering
- Finish
- Foot stretcher
- Gunwale
- Keel
- Lightweight
- Oar
- Port
- Power ten
- Quad
- Regatta
- Rigger
- Scull
- Shell
- Slide
- Starboard
- Stern
- Stroke
- Sweep
- Waterline
- Way enough
- Weigh enough
- Yaw
- Bow ball
Rowing Glossary: Every Term A to Z
| Term | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Blade | The flat end of the oar that enters the water. Its shape decides how the stroke feels and how the boat moves. |
| Bow | The front of the boat, and the rower sitting closest to it. |
| Bow ball | The soft ball fixed to the very tip of the bow, required for safety so a collision does not spear another boat. |
| Bucket rig | A rigging where two neighboring rowers have their oars on the same side, breaking the usual alternating pattern. |
| Catch | The moment the blade drops into the water and the stroke begins. |
| Catch a crab | The blade gets caught in the water at the finish and the handle is driven into the rower's body. It stops the boat and looks worse than it is. |
| Coxswain | The crew member who steers, calls the race plan and sets the rhythm. Usually seated in the stern facing the rowers. |
| Crew | A rowing team, and the American name for the sport itself. |
| Drive | The powered half of the stroke, legs first, then back, then arms. |
| Eight | A sweep boat with eight rowers and a coxswain. The fastest boat class on the water. |
| Engine room | The middle seats of an eight, where the biggest rowers usually sit and most of the power comes from. |
| Ergometer | The rowing machine, called an erg. Used for training and for testing, and disliked in equal measure. |
| Feathering | Turning the blade flat to the water during the recovery so it cuts the air and clears the surface. |
| Finish | The end of the drive, where the handle comes into the body and the blade leaves the water. |
| Foot Stretcher | The adjustable footplate the rower's shoes are attached to. |
| Four | A sweep boat with four rowers, with or without a coxswain. |
| Gunwale | The strip along the top edge of the boat's side, pronounced gunnel. It carries the riggers and stiffens the shell. |
| Head race | A long-distance race against the clock, with boats starting one after another instead of side by side. |
| Keel | The line running along the bottom of the hull, which keeps the boat straight and balanced. |
| Lightweight | A racing category with a weight limit for crew members. |
| Oar | The lever that moves the boat: handle, shaft and blade. |
| Oarlock | The swiveling gate on the end of the rigger that holds the oar and lets it turn. |
| Pair | A sweep boat with two rowers, one oar each. Technically the hardest boat to balance. |
| Piece | A set stretch of rowing at a given rate or effort, the basic unit of a training session. |
| Port | The left side of the boat looking forward. Rowers on that side are called port rowers. |
| Power Ten | Ten strokes at full effort, called by the coxswain to move on another crew or to break away. |
| Puddle | The swirl of water the blade leaves behind at the finish. Coaches read them to judge the stroke. |
| Quad | A sculling boat with four rowers, two oars each. |
| Rate | Strokes per minute. Races are usually started high, settled in the middle and lifted again at the end. |
| Recovery | The half of the stroke between finish and catch, when the rower slides forward with no power applied. |
| Regatta | A rowing competition, from a club event up to Henley or a world championship. |
| Rigger | The frame reaching out from the side of the shell that carries the oarlock. |
| Rudder | The small blade under the hull that steers the boat, worked by the coxswain or by a rower's foot. |
| Scull | Rowing with two oars, one in each hand. Also the boat used to do it. |
| Set | The lateral balance of the boat. A boat that is down to one side is off set. |
| Shell | The racing boat: long, narrow and built for as little drag as possible. |
| Single scull | A one-person sculling boat. |
| Slide | The track the seat runs on, which lets the rower use the legs through the full stroke. |
| Split | The time it would take to row 500 meters at the current pace. The number rowers watch on the erg. |
| Starboard | The right side of the boat looking forward. |
| Stern | The back of the boat, opposite the bow. |
| Stroke | The rower nearest the stern, who sets the rhythm the rest of the crew follows. |
| Sweep | Rowing with one oar held in both hands, one rower per side. |
| Swing | The feeling when a crew moves as one and the boat suddenly runs easily. Hard to produce on demand. |
| Walking | Moving up on another crew stroke by stroke during a race, seat by seat. |
| Waterline | The line where the hull sits in the water. An even waterline means the weight is spread right. |
| Way enough | The command to stop rowing and let the boat run. Often written and pronounced weigh enough. |
| Weigh enough | The same command as way enough, spelled the way most crews say it. |
| Yaw | The side-to-side swing of the bow. Uneven rowing causes it and it costs speed. |
#1 Blade
The flat part of the oar that enters the water during the stroke. Its shape and size affect the boat’s movement and the rower’s technique, playing a critical role in the efficiency of each stroke.
#2 Bow
The forward section of the rowing shell; also refers to the rower who sits closest to the front end. This position requires a strong sense of rhythm and is often responsible for setting the stroke rate.
#3 Coxswain
A team member who steers the boat and directs the crew, usually positioned at the stern. The coxswain is the on-water coach, providing motivation, strategy, and ensuring the safety and coordination of rowers.
#4 Catch
The moment the blade enters the water at the beginning of the stroke. A clean and precise catch is essential for maintaining boat speed and ensuring a smooth, powerful drive.
#5 Drive
The part of the stroke where rowers apply power, moving the boat forwards. The drive phase begins with the legs, engages the back and arms, and is crucial for generating boat speed.
#6 Ergometer
Also known as an “erg,” it’s a rowing machine that simulates water rowing, used for training and measuring a rower’s performance. Erg workouts are known for their intensity and are a staple in rowers’ land training.
#7 Feathering
Feathering in rowing refers to the technique of turning the oar blade parallel to the water after completing a stroke and during the recovery phase to reduce air resistance and improve efficiency. This action helps the rower maintain a smoother and faster boat glide.
#8 Finish
The finish is the final part of the stroke in rowing where the rower pulls the oar handle in toward the body, just before extracting the blade from the water. This phase is critical for ensuring that maximum power is transferred through the stroke.
#9 Foot Stretcher
An adjustable part of the rowing boat where a rower can secure their feet. Proper placement is crucial as it affects the rower’s leverage and comfort during the stroke cycle.
#10 Gunwale
The upper edge of a boat’s side, the gunwale provides structural support and is the attachment point for oarlocks or riggers. It’s pronounced “gunnel” and is essential for the integrity of the shell.
#11 Keel
The central structural element running along the bottom of the boat, the keel helps maintain stability and streamline movement through the water. In rowing shells, the keel also aligns the crew and balances the craft.
#12 Lightweight
A rowing category with a maximum weight for crew members, ensuring fairness in competitions. Lightweight rowing prioritizes technique and endurance over sheer strength due to the weight restrictions.
#13 Oar
A long lever used to propel the boat through the water, the oar transmits the rower’s power to the rowing shell. It consists of a handle, a shaft, and a blade which enters the water.
#14 Port
The left side of the boat when facing forward. The term originates from maritime tradition and is crucial for navigation and rower orientation, opposite the starboard, or right side.
#15 Power Ten
“Power ten” is a common call in rowing races where the coxswain (the person directing the rowers) instructs the crew to perform ten of their strongest and most powerful strokes. This is often used strategically to gain speed during a race or to overtake another crew.
#16 Quad
A quad is a type of rowing boat that is sculled by four rowers, each using two oars. It is faster than a four (which uses one oar per rower) and requires good coordination and technique among the crew.
#17 Regatta
A rowing competition or series of boat races. Regattas are often prestigious events that involve various boat classes and can range from local club races to international competitions such as the Henley Royal Regatta.
#18 Rigger
The framework attached to the side of a racing shell to hold the oars in place. Rigging plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of power application and balance during the stroke.
#19 Scull
A type of boat as well as the action of rowing with two oars, one in each hand. Single sculls, double sculls, and quad sculls refer to the number of rowers in the boat.
#20 Shell
The term for a rowing boat used in racing. It’s usually long and narrow, designed to maximize speed and efficiency in the water with a smooth, aerodynamic shape.
#21 Slide
The track on which the rower’s seat moves back and forth. The slide allows for a complete leg drive and enables the rower to utilize full body length for optimal power application.
#22 Starboard
Referring to the right side of the boat when facing forward. In a coxswain-directed boat, rowers sitting on the starboard side would have their oars extending to the right of the boat.
#23 Stern
The stern is the rear end of the rowing boat. It is the opposite of the bow (the front). In rowing terminology, rowers are also sometimes referred to as “bow” or “stern” based on their seating position relative to the front or back of the boat.
#24 Stroke
The rower who sits closest to the stern and sets the rhythm for the boat; their technique and cadence are crucial as all other rowers follow their lead. The stroke is pivotal for maintaining the crew’s synchrony and pace.
#25 Sweep
A rowing style where each rower holds one oar with both hands; boats can vary in size with pairs, fours, or eights, and coordination is key. Sweep rowing emphasizes teamwork, as each rower contributes to one side of the boat.
#26 Waterline
The line on the hull where the boat sits in the water; an important factor in boat design as it affects speed and stability. A well-balanced boat will have an even waterline, indicating good weight distribution and optimal performance.
#27 Way enough (often pronounced “weigh enough”)
A command given by the coxswain or a rower to stop rowing and let the boat glide; signifies the end of a drill or a pause in activity. It’s a signal for rowers to cease the drive and recover.
#28 Weigh enough
This is an alternative spelling/pronunciation of “way enough,” and is used interchangeably in some rowing communities. It serves the same purpose as a command to cease rowing activities.
#29 Yaw
Yaw refers to the side-to-side movement of the boat’s bow. In rowing, minimizing yaw is important for maintaining a straight course and improving the boat’s efficiency in the water. Excessive yaw can occur if rowing strokes are unbalanced or uneven.
#30 Bow ball
The bow ball is a small, round safety device attached to the very front (bow) of the rowing boat. It is designed to make the boat more visible and to minimize injury in the event of a collision, complying with rowing safety regulations
FAQ
What is a rowing competition called?
A regatta. The word covers everything from a club event to Henley Royal Regatta. A long-distance race rowed against the clock rather than side by side is called a head race.
What is a rowing team called?
A crew. In the United States the whole sport is often called crew as well, so rowing for the crew and rowing on a crew mean the same thing.
What is the wooden strip around the edge of a rowing boat called?
The gunwale, pronounced gunnel. It runs along the top edge of the hull on both sides, stiffens the shell and carries the riggers that hold the oars.
What do rowers say when they want to stop rowing?
Way enough, usually written and pronounced weigh enough. It tells the crew to stop the drive and let the boat glide. It ends a piece, a drill or an outing.
What is the thing you put the oar in on a rowing boat called?
The oarlock, sometimes called the gate. It sits on the end of the rigger, swivels as the oar turns and closes over the shaft so the oar cannot come out.
What is the person who calls the pace and steers the boat called?
The coxswain, shortened to cox. The cox steers, calls the rate and the race plan, and is responsible for the safety of the crew. Calls like a power ten come from that seat.
They fall into the boat (shell, oar, rigger, oarlock, slide, gunwale), the stroke (catch, drive, finish, recovery, feathering, rate) and the racing (regatta, head race, crew, power ten, walking). The rowing glossary above covers all three.
What are some Rowing terms for beginners?
“Catch,” “Coxswain,” and “Feathering” are some rowing terms beginners should start with. These terms are essential to understanding the basic mechanics and roles within the sport.
What are some funny Rowing terms?
“Weigh enough” and “Coxswain” are some funny rowing terms often amusing to non-rowers due to their unusual pronunciation and the unique role of the coxswain in steering and leading the crew.
What is a famous Rowing phrase?
“Power ten” is a famous rowing phrase, usually called by the coxswain, signaling the crew to give ten of their strongest, most powerful strokes, often used to build momentum or overtake competitors.
