Basic Rowing Terminology

Understanding key rowing terms will help you communicate effectively with coaches and fellow rowers. This guide covers the essential vocabulary you’ll need as you begin your sculling journey.

For a complete reference, see the Full Rowing Glossary

All Essential Terms

Back/Back it Down
Command to row in reverse.
Blade/Spoon
The wide, flat end of the oar that goes in the water.
Bow
The front end of the boat (crosses the finish line first).
Catch
The moment when the blade enters the water.
Cockpit
The area where the rower sits.
Collar/Button
The plastic piece that prevents the oar from sliding through the oarlock.
Crab
When an oar blade gets caught in the water.
Digging
Blades going too deep in the water.
Double Scull (2x)
Two people each with two oars.
Drive
The work phase when the blade is in the water and you're pushing with your legs.
Eight (8+)
Eight rowers (each with one oar) plus coxswain.
Feathering
Rotating the blade to be parallel to the water during recovery.
Finish/Release
When you extract the blade from the water.
Flip Test
Practice capsize recovery (mandatory safety training).
Foot Stretcher
Adjustable platform where you place your feet.
Gunwales (pronounced "gunnels")
The top edges of the boat's sides.
Handle
The part of the oar you hold.
"Hands On"
Command to take hold of the boat, typically to carry it.
"Hold Water"/"Check It Down"
Command to place blades squared in water to slow/stop the boat.
Hull
The main body of the boat.
"Let it Run"
Command to stop rowing and allow the boat to glide.
Oarlock
The U-shaped device on the rigger that holds the oar and allows it to pivot.
PFD
Personal Flotation Device.
Port
Left side of the boat when facing the bow (rower's right side when seated).
Quad Scull (4x)
Four people each with two oars.
Rating
The number of strokes per minute (also called stroke rate).
"Ready to Row"/"Row"
Command to begin rowing.
Recovery
The phase when you return to the catch position, blades out of the water.
Rigger
Metal or carbon framework extending from the boat's side to hold the oarlock.
Rushing
Moving too quickly during the recovery.
Scull
A boat where each rower uses two oars.
Seat
The sliding seat that moves on tracks.
Set/Balance
Keeping the boat level from side to side.
Shaft
The long body of the oar.
Single Scull (1x)
One person with two oars.
Skying
Blades too high above the water before the catch.
Sleeve
The plastic fitting on the oar that sits in the oarlock.
Squaring
Rotating the blade to be perpendicular to the water before the catch.
Starboard
Right side of the boat when facing the bow (rower's left side when seated).
Stern
The back end of the boat.
Sweep
A boat where each rower uses one oar.
Tracks/Slides
Rails on which the seat moves.
Traffic Pattern
The established rules for navigating the waterway.
"Way Enough"/"Weigh Enough"
Command to stop the rowing motion.

Boat Parts

Bow
The front end of the boat (crosses the finish line first).
Cockpit
The area where the rower sits.
Foot Stretcher
Adjustable platform where you place your feet.
Gunwales (pronounced "gunnels")
The top edges of the boat's sides.
Hull
The main body of the boat.
Oarlock
The U-shaped device on the rigger that holds the oar and allows it to pivot.
Port
Left side of the boat when facing the bow (rower's right side when seated).
Rigger
Metal or carbon framework extending from the boat's side to hold the oarlock.
Seat
The sliding seat that moves on tracks.
Starboard
Right side of the boat when facing the bow (rower's left side when seated).
Stern
The back end of the boat.
Tracks/Slides
Rails on which the seat moves.

Oar Components

Blade/Spoon
The wide, flat end of the oar that goes in the water.
Collar/Button
The plastic piece that prevents the oar from sliding through the oarlock.
Handle
The part of the oar you hold.
Shaft
The long body of the oar.
Sleeve
The plastic fitting on the oar that sits in the oarlock.

Basic Stroke Terminology

Catch
The moment when the blade enters the water.
Drive
The work phase when the blade is in the water and you're pushing with your legs.
Feathering
Rotating the blade to be parallel to the water during recovery.
Finish/Release
When you extract the blade from the water.
Rating
The number of strokes per minute (also called stroke rate).
Recovery
The phase when you return to the catch position, blades out of the water.
Squaring
Rotating the blade to be perpendicular to the water before the catch.

Common Commands

"Back"/"Back it Down"
Command to row in reverse.
"Hands On"
Command to take hold of the boat, typically to carry it.
"Hold Water"/"Check It Down"
Command to place blades squared in water to slow/stop the boat.
"Let it Run"
Command to stop rowing and allow the boat to glide.
"Ready to Row"/"Row"
Command to begin rowing.
"Way Enough"/"Weigh Enough"
Command to stop the rowing motion.

Boat Types and Rowing Styles

Double Scull (2x)
Two people each with two oars.
Eight (8+)
Eight rowers (each with one oar) plus coxswain.
Quad Scull (4x)
Four people each with two oars.
Scull
A boat where each rower uses two oars.
Single Scull (1x)
One person with two oars.
Sweep
A boat where each rower uses one oar.

Common Issues and Fixes

Crab
When an oar blade gets caught in the water.
Digging
Blades going too deep in the water.
Rushing
Moving too quickly during the recovery.
Set/Balance
Keeping the boat level from side to side.
Skying
Blades too high above the water before the catch.

Safety Terms

Flip Test
Practice capsize recovery (mandatory safety training).
PFD
Personal Flotation Device.
Traffic Pattern
The established rules for navigating the waterway.

Learning these terms will make your sculling experience smoother and help you understand coaching instructions more easily. Don't worry about memorizing everything at once—you'll become familiar with these terms through practice and repetition.