How do blind rowers know the race has started?
I · Intermediate · Racing · 2 of 2As PR3 crews may include blind rowers, the starter says "Red Flag" as the flag goes up, or "Red Light". A crew warned with a yellow card raises an arm to show it understood. Umpires call "White Flag" or "Red Flag" aloud at the finish. A rower with strapped hands objects by calling "Objection" loud enough for the umpire to hear.
How it works
- Start call: "Red Flag" or "Red Light".
- Which events: PR3 Mix4+, 2- and Mix2x.
- Yellow card: a crew member raises an arm.
- Finish: umpire calls the flag aloud.
- Objection: called aloud by strapped rowers.
- Duty: the rower makes sure the umpire hears.
- Umpires: more than one may follow a race.
- Safety: extra boats for fixed-seat crews.
The glossary has the starting a PR3 race, the objections and finish calls, the umpiring a para race, the crews in para events, the strapping (para rowing) and the safety (para rowing).
Tricky cases
A PR3 crew gets a yellow card. How do they acknowledge it?
One rower raises an arm.
A rower's hands are strapped. How do they object?
By calling "Objection" loud enough for the umpire.
Does the starter call for PR1 races?
The spoken call is set for PR3 crew boats.
Who decides on extra umpires?
The President of the Jury.
Why the rule exists
Spoken calls give blind rowers the same signals others see. Strapped rowers cannot raise a hand, so they object by voice.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PR3 crews | Spoken flag calls | R14 16, 21 |
| Strapped hands | Spoken objection | R14 18, 20 |
| Any para race | Extra umpires | R14 23 |
From the rule book
World Rowing, Rules of Racing and Related Bye-Laws (March 2025), Appendix R14, regulations 16 to 18, 20, 21 and 23. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Rowing Rules of Racing, Appendices R14 and R15.