Why do rowing crews have painted oars?
Officials' detail · Boats, crews and the course · 3 of 3Members of a crew must race in identical clothing, and any headwear worn must be identical too. The blades of all oars and sculls must have the same colours and design on both sides. At world championships a crew wears the uniform and uses the blade design its federation has registered.
How it works
- Clothing: identical for all members of the same crew.
- Headwear: if any members wear it, theirs must be identical. Not everyone has to wear it.
- Blades: the colours and design of all oars and sculls are identical on both sides.
- The coxswain: may wear additional clothing in the colours of the crew.
- World championships: the racing uniform and the blade design are those registered by the federation with World Rowing. All crews from one federation wear the same uniform and use the same blade design at one championship.
- Inspection: the control commission checks clothing and blade colours before crews go out.
Tricky cases
Can one rower wear a cap if the others do not?
Yes. The rule requires that the headwear worn be identical. It does not require every member to wear it.
Can the coxswain wear a jacket?
Yes. Coxswains may race in additional clothing in the colours of their crew.
Two clubs combine to enter one boat. What do they wear?
At an international regatta the members of a composite crew either wear an identical uniform or each wear the uniform of their own club.
Why the rule exists
From the bank or a camera six boats look alike. The blades are the largest moving thing on a boat, so one painted design per country is how spectators, commentators and officials tell crews apart. The reason is reasoned from the rule and not stated in it.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Rowing rules | As above | RR 40 |
| World Championships | Registered national uniform and blade design | RR 40 (4) |
| Composite crews at international regattas | Each rower may wear their own club's uniform | RR 40 bye-law |
| Sponsor marks and exceptions | Set out in the bye-laws to Rule 39, not read for this page | RR 40 (1) |
From the rule book
World Rowing Rules of Racing and Related Bye-Laws (Overall and Classic Rowing), Rule 40 and its bye-law and the bye-laws to Rule 82. Last updated 1 July 2025. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Rowing Rules of Racing (PDF).