Complete Rowing Terminology Glossary

This comprehensive glossary includes all the rowing terms you’ll encounter during your Learn to Scull journey and beyond. Understanding these terms will help you communicate effectively with coaches and fellow rowers.

A

AARC

Ann Arbor Rowing Club.

Adaptive Rowing

Rowing or sculling adapted for people with physical, sensory, or intellectual disabilities.

Adjust

To make changes to the rigging of a boat to optimize performance or comfort.

Angle

The degree to which the blade is placed in the water, affecting the efficiency of the stroke.

B

"Back" (or "Back it Down")

Command to row in reverse.

Backsplash

Water that splashes toward the bow of the boat due to improper blade entry.

Backstay

A part of the rigger that supports the load in the opposite direction of the main stay.

Balance

The stability of the boat, achieved through proper technique and body positioning. (See also "Set")

Blade (or Spoon)

The wide, flat end of the oar that goes in the water.

Bow

The forward end of the boat (crosses finish line first).

Bow Ball

Safety ball attached to the bow of the boat.

Bow Rigger

The rigger closest to the bow of the boat.

Bowside

The starboard (right) side of the boat when facing forward.

Button

The plastic fitting on the oar shaft that stops the oar from slipping through the oarlock. (See also "Collar")

C

Catch

The moment when the blade enters the water at the beginning of the stroke.

"Check It Down" (or "Hold Water")

Command to place blades squared in water to slow/stop the boat.

Cockpit

The area where the rower sits.

Collar (or Button)

The plastic fitting on the oar shaft that stops the oar from slipping through the oarlock.

Cox Box

Electronic device used by coxswains to amplify their voice and provide stroke rate information.

Coxswain

Person who steers the boat and coordinates the power and rhythm of the rowers.

Crab

When a rower's blade gets caught in the water at the release, causing them to lose control of the oar.

Crew

A term for a rowing team or the sport of rowing itself.

D

Deck

The covered portion at the bow and stern of the boat.

Digging

When the blade goes too deep into the water during the drive.

Double (or Double Scull, 2x)

A sculling boat for two people, each using two oars.

Drive

The part of the stroke when the blade is in the water and power is being applied.

E

Eight (8+)

A sweep rowing boat for eight rowers and a coxswain.

Erg (Ergometer)

Indoor rowing machine used for training and testing.

F

Feathering

Rotating the blade to a horizontal position during recovery to reduce wind resistance.

Finish (or Release)

The end of the drive phase when the blade comes out of the water.

Flip Test

Practice capsize recovery (mandatory safety training).

Foot Stretcher

Adjustable platform where the rower places their feet.

Four

A sweep rowing boat for four rowers, with (4+) or without (4-) a coxswain.

Frontstay

A part of the rigger that provides support, typically extending forward from the main part of the rigger to the boat.

G

Gate

The part of the oarlock that closes to keep the oar in place. (See also "Oarlock")

Gunwales (or Gunnels)

The top edges of the boat's sides.

H

Handle

The part of the oar you hold.

"Hands On"

Command to take hold of the boat, typically to carry it.

Hanging at the Catch

Pausing with the blade squared just above the water before dropping it in.

Head Race

A long-distance race where crews start sequentially and race against the clock.

Heat

A preliminary race which determines which boats advance to semifinals or finals.

"Hold Water" (or "Check It Down")

Command to place blades squared in water to slow/stop the boat.

Hudson

A popular brand of rowing shells.

Hull

The main body of the boat.

I

Inboard

The section of the oar between the collar and the handle, typically submerged during the stroke.

J

Jump Seat

A temporary seat used in some boats to accommodate an additional rower.

K

Knees

The joints in the middle of the leg that bend to allow the foot to move towards the body.

L

Layback

The backward lean of the body (from the hips) at the finish position.

Leg Drive

The initial push with the legs during the drive phase.

"Let it Run"

Command to stop rowing and allow the boat to glide.

Lightweight

A category of rowing for athletes who meet specific weight requirements.

M

Masters

Age category for adult rowers (typically 21+).

N

Novice

A rower with less than one year of experience.

O

Oar

The implement used to propel the boat.

Oarlock (or Gate)

The swiveling U-shaped device on the rigger that holds the oar and allows it to pivot.

Outboard

The distance from the button/collar to the blade tip.

P

Paddle

Rowing with light pressure, usually for warm-up or cool-down.

Peinert

A popular brand of rowing shells.

PFD

Personal Flotation Device.

The vertical metal post on which the oarlock swivels.

Pitch

The angle of the oarlock relative to the boat.

Port

Left side of the boat when facing the bow (rower\'s right side when seated).

Q

Quad (or Quad Scull, 4x)

A sculling boat for four rowers, each with two oars.

R

Rating (or Stroke Rate)

The number of strokes taken per minute (spm).

"Ready to Row" (or "Row")

Command to begin rowing.

Recovery

The phase of the stroke when the rower moves back towards the stern to prepare for the next catch, blades out of the water.

Release (or Finish)

The end of the drive phase when the blade comes out of the water.

Rigger

Metal or carbon framework extending from the boat's side to hold the oarlock. Can be a bow rigger or stern rigger, depending on its position relative to the rower.

Rip

To row particularly well or with great power.

"Row" (or "Ready to Row")

Command to begin rowing.

Rushing

Moving too quickly during the recovery, especially sliding towards the stern before the body is prepared.

S

Scull

A type of boat where each rower uses two oars (sculls). Also refers to the act of rowing with two oars, or one of the oars itself in sculling.

Sculling

Rowing with two oars per person.

Seat

The sliding seat on which the rower sits. Also refers to a rower's position in the boat (e.g., bow seat, stroke seat).

Set (or Balance)

Keeping the boat level side-to-side.

Shaft

The long, main body of the oar, between the handle and the blade.

Shooting the Slide

When legs straighten before back and arms engage during the drive.

Single (or Single Scull, 1x)

A sculling boat for one person using two oars.

Skying

Raising the blade too high above the water just before the catch.

Sleeve

The plastic fitting on the oar shaft that sits in the oarlock and rotates during feathering and squaring.

Slides (or Tracks)

Rails on which the seat moves.

Spoon (or Blade)

The wide, flat end of the oar that goes in the water.

Squaring

Rotating the blade to be perpendicular to the water surface just before the catch.

Starboard

The right side of the boat when facing forward (towards the bow). This is the rower's left side when seated.

Stern

The rear end of the boat.

Stern Rigger

The rigger closest to the stern of the boat.

Stretcher

Another term for the foot stretcher.

Stroke

One complete cycle of the rowing motion. Also refers to the rower sitting closest to the stern, who sets the rhythm for the crew.

Stroke Rate (or Rating)

Number of strokes per minute (spm).

Sweep

A type of boat where each rower uses one oar. Also refers to the act of rowing with one oar per person.

T

Tap Down

The slight downward pressure on the handles at the finish.

Top Edge

The upper edge of the oar blade when the blade is perpendicular to the water.

Bottom Edge

The lower edge of the oar blade when the blade is perpendicular to the water; this is the edge that enters the water first.

Tracks (or Slides)