Can rowers be coached during a race?
A · Advanced · Penalties, protests and weather · 10 of 12No instructions, advice or directions may be given to a racing crew from outside the boat with any electric, electronic or other technical device. Inside the boat a crew may see a fixed list of data, such as time, distance, stroke rate and boat speed. A coxswain may speak to the crew through loudspeakers in the boat.
How it works
- The ban: during racing no communication with the crew is permitted from outside the boat using electric or electronic equipment. That covers audio, text messages and software of any kind.
- When it applies: at all times when the racing traffic rules are in force.
- Data the crew may see: time and distance; stroke rate and related timings; boat velocity and acceleration; force and power; heart rate and other physiological measures; the motion of the boat; oar angles and stroke length. The rules call this "allowable data".
- Data leaving the boat: allowable data may be recorded or sent from the boat for later use. No data may be sent to the boat, and the data may not be processed during the race to give the crew extra advice.
- Policing: the umpire makes a regular check on the area beside the course.
- Official devices: World Rowing may fit each boat with a unit for race tracking. At the top regattas crews may be required to carry cameras or microphones, identical for all boats in a race.
Tricky cases
Can a coach shout from the bank without any device?
Yes, as far as this rule goes. Rule 73 bans instructions given "with any electric, electronic or other technical device". The rule book does not mention the unaided voice.
Is the coxswain's amplifier allowed?
Yes. The coxswain is a member of the crew and is inside the boat. The boat-weight rules count loudspeakers fastened to the boat as part of it.
Can a crew wear heart-rate monitors in a race?
Yes. Heart rate is on the list of allowable data.
Why the rule exists
A rowing race is meant to be decided by the people in the boat. A coach on the bank with a live view of every crew could direct tactics that the rowers, facing backwards, cannot see for themselves.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Rowing rules | As above | RR 73; RR App R2 (5) |
| Top regattas | Promotional equipment such as mini cameras may be required on boats | RR App R2 (6) |
From the rule book
World Rowing Rules of Racing and Related Bye-Laws (Overall and Classic Rowing), Rule 73, Appendix R2 (point 5), Appendix R3 and the bye-laws to Rule 84. Last updated 1 July 2025. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Rowing Rules of Racing (PDF).