Case Western Reserve University Rowing Team
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​Rowing Basics

Here is some helpful information for novice rowers to become familiar with the equipment and terms used in rowing.

Frequently Used Terms

Parts of the Stroke
Catch:  Placing the blade into the water at the end of the recovery
Drive:  The leg push that propels the boat forward. The correct order is: legs, body, arms
Finish:   The final part of the rower’s stroke where the blade comes out of the water
Recovery:  The transition from the finish to the catch where the blade is out of the water

Parts of the Boat
Shell:  Another name for a rowing or sculling boat.
Rigger:  The rigger is the metal bracing attached to the side of the boat that holds the oarlock
Oarlock:  Mounted at the end of the rigger, the oarlock is a u-shaped swivel that holds the oar in position. The oarlock is the pivot point for the oar
Gunwhale:  The top edge of the shell where the riggers are secured
Foot Stretcher:  An adjustable bracket in the bottom of the  shell where Shoes are attached giving the rower a way to secure their feet
Stern:  The back of the shell
Bow:  The front of the boat
Starboard:  The right side of the boat when facing the bow. Since rowers are seated facing backward, starboard is on the rower’s left
Port:  The left side of the boat when facing the bow. Since rowers are seated facing backward, port is on the rower’s right

Other Rowing Terms
Coxswain:  The coxswain is the member of the crew who sits in a small seat either in the bow or the stern. Often abbreviated to “cox,” this person steers the shell and coaches the rowers during a race
"Way Enough":  A command to stop rowing used by the coxswains and coaches
Stroke Rate:  Number of strokes taken per minute
Ergometer (Erg):  An indoor rowing machine
"Catching Crabs":  A term for when your oar gets caught in the water

Parts of the Boat

Picture

Parts of the Stroke

Coxing

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  • The Hammer
    • Results
  • Who We Are
    • Roster
  • Recruitment
    • Rowing Basics
  • Being On The Team
    • Rowing FAQ
    • Where We're Growing
  • Ergathon
    • Ergathon Info
    • Donate
    • Ergathon Livestream
  • Contact
  • Member Dashboard