What is a false start in rowing?
I · Intermediate · The start and the race · 2 of 5A false start is when a crew begins rowing and its boat crosses the start line after the red flag or red light is shown and before the start command. The race is stopped, the crew gets a yellow card and everyone starts again. Two yellow cards for the same race mean a red card.
How it works
- Who decides: the judge at the start alone decides whether a crew has made a false start.
- The stop: the starter rings a bell and waves the red flag from side to side. With a lights system the red lights flash and the sound signal repeats.
- The card: when the crews are back on the start, the starter says the name of the crew, "False Start, Yellow Card!". A yellow marker is placed beside that crew's starting position.
- Only the crew that caused it: if more than one boat went, the card goes to the crew or crews the judge at the start decides caused the false start.
- The second one: a crew that causes two false starts, or collects two yellow cards that apply to the same race for any reason, is given a red card and excluded from the event.
- The restart: the starter begins again from the roll call.
Tricky cases
A crew twitched before the signal but the boat did not cross the line. Is that a false start?
No. The rule needs both things: the rowers begin rowing and the boat crosses the start line before the command.
A crew already has a yellow card for arriving late and then makes a false start. Is it out?
Yes. Two yellow cards that apply to the same race bring a red card and exclusion from the event, whatever the two offences were.
The race is postponed to the next day. Does the yellow card disappear?
No. A yellow card lapses only when the race is concluded, so it still applies after a postponement or a re-row.
Can a crew argue about the card?
Yes. It may object to the starter or the umpire at the time, and that official decides at once.
Why the rule exists
A crew that moves early gains distance for nothing. The card tells the crew it has used its one mistake, and the marker beside its lane tells everyone else.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Rowing rules | As above | RR 68 (2); RR 69 and bye-law |
| Top regattas | The judge at the start has a freeze-frame video tied to the start signal | RR App R4 (3 a vi) |
From the rule book
World Rowing Rules of Racing and Related Bye-Laws (Overall and Classic Rowing), Rules 66, 68, 69 and 70 and the bye-laws to Rule 69. Last updated 1 July 2025. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Rowing Rules of Racing (PDF).