Rowing words · Intermediate

The words that make the commentary make sense. They build on the beginner words.

I · Intermediate · 24 words · Step 2 of 2

Race and course terms

Progression system

How crews move through rounds when there are more than six. It can include a preliminary race, heats, quarterfinals, semifinals and finals. With two to six crews there is a preliminary race and a final. Crews can advance by placing or as the fastest of those who did not.

Time trial

A race in which crews are ranked by their times alone, which can be used as part of the progression system.

Seeding

Placing the faster crews in different heats so they do not all meet in the same one. A seeding panel pairs the highest seeded crew with the lowest, and the heat and lane for each pair are drawn at random.

Re-row

A second running of a race with some or all of its crews, ordered by the Umpire, for example after an interruption, interference between crews or a dead heat. It is over the full distance and normally at least two hours later.

See also: Heat, Dead heat, Umpire, Interference

Dead heat

A finish too close for any difference to be found. In a final the crews get equal placing and, where medals are involved, extra medals. In earlier rounds a re-row or a draw settles who goes through.

Photo finish

The camera system that decides a close finish. Crews are ranked by the order of the bows of their boats reaching the line, and times are recorded to a hundredth of a second.

Technique terms

Blade work

The precision and timing of how the oar enters and exits the water during a stroke.

Square blade

Turning the oar blade perpendicular to the water just before the catch, ready to grip the water cleanly.

Layback

The backward lean of the rower's body at the finish of the stroke, used to add power.

Rush

A common technical fault where the rower moves too quickly on the recovery, throwing off the boat's balance.

Also called: slide rush
See also: Boat, Recovery

Puddles

The swirling patterns left in the water after each oar stroke, sometimes used informally to judge power and timing.

Set

How level and stable a boat sits in the water, affected by the crew's timing and weight distribution.

Also called: boat balance
See also: Boat

Race and strategy terms

Power ten

A call for the crew to give ten especially strong, focused strokes, often used to make a move in a race.

Rate change

Adjusting the stroke rate during a race to increase or settle pace.

Lightweight category

A weight-restricted division. A men's lightweight crew has an average weight of no more than 70.0 kg with no rower over 72.5 kg, and a women's crew an average of no more than 57.0 kg with none over 59.0 kg. Rowers are weighed one to two hours before their first race each day.

Head race

A race over a longer, non-standard course, such as a head of the river, in which crews usually start one after another and are timed against each other.

Lane draw

How crews are given lanes. In the first round lanes are drawn at random, with seeded crews paired. In later rounds the crews with the best placings in the previous round are put in the middle lanes.

Equipment terms

Sculls

The pair of oars used in sculling boats, one held in each hand.

Also called: oars
See also: Sculling

Sweep oar

The single, longer oar used in sweep rowing, held with both hands.

Bow ball

A ball of 4 cm fixed to the front of the bow, which protects against collisions. The length of a racing boat is measured from its front.

Also called: bowball
See also: Boat

Foot stretcher

The adjustable footplate rowers push against during the stroke.

Rules and officials

Judge at the start

The official who alone decides whether boats are correctly aligned and whether a crew has made a false start.

Interference

When a crew's oars or boat enter an opponent's lane and disadvantage the opponent, by contact, wash or distraction. The Umpire alone decides, and can exclude the crew that caused it, without warning if there was a collision.

Minimum boat weight

Boats at international regattas must meet a set weight for their class, checked by the Control Commission. A boat found under weight is sanctioned, and the result shows BUW.