What counts as interference in rowing?
I · Intermediate · The start and the race · 4 of 5Interference is when a crew's oars or boat go into an opponent's lane and put that opponent at a disadvantage, by contact, by wash, by distraction or in any other way. The umpire alone decides. A crew that changes another crew's finishing position this way may be excluded.
How it works
- The test: encroaching into the opponent's lane and causing a disadvantage. Both are needed.
- The warning: if a crew is about to interfere, the umpire raises the white flag when possible, calls the crew's name and drops the flag to the side the crew must move to.
- The stop: for safety the umpire may raise the white flag upright, name the crew and call "Stop!". The crew stops its boat at once and rows on only if the umpire allows.
- The penalty: a crew that interfered and, in the umpire's opinion, affected the other crew's finishing position may be excluded. After a collision the umpire may exclude the crew that caused it even with no warning given.
- The priority: putting the harmed crew's chances right comes first. Punishing the offender is "a secondary consideration".
- The remedies: the umpire may stop the race and order a re-row, or let it finish and decide afterwards.
Tricky cases
The boats never touched. Can it still be interference?
Yes. A disadvantage caused by wash or "other distraction" from a crew in the wrong lane counts.
A crew was hit but still won. Is there a re-row?
No, not as a rule. The umpire may decline a re-row when the incident did not affect the result or its effect was not significant.
What should a crew do if it is being interfered with?
A member of the crew should, if possible, draw the umpire's attention to it at the time, to show that the crew intends to object.
Can the umpire exclude a crew after the race has finished?
Yes. The umpire may let the race continue and exclude crews once it is over.
Why the rule exists
A clash of blades can stop a boat dead and decide a race that a crew has trained years for. The rules care more about giving that crew its race back than about the penalty, which is why the umpire may not punish the offender and leave the victim with nothing.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Rowing rules | As above | RR 72 and bye-law; RR 84 |
| Damaged equipment | The board of the jury decides who is at fault if a crew asks | RR 56 |
From the rule book
World Rowing Rules of Racing and Related Bye-Laws (Overall and Classic Rowing), Rules 56, 72 and 84 and the bye-laws to Rule 72. Last updated 1 July 2025. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Rowing Rules of Racing (PDF).