Rowing Fundamentals


1:	Blades
	Rowers use blades (or oars) to propel the boat forward. There are different shapes of blade that have different names. SBRC will be rowing with ‘hatchet’ blades.
2:	Riggers
	The riggers of a boat hold a pivot for the blade out from the side of the boat. The blade attaches to the pivot via a gate (oar lock) that sits at the end of the rigger.
3:	Seat
	Rowers sit on a seat, the seat will move backwards and forwards on wheels to allow the rower greater movement. The runners on which the wheels sit are called the slide.
4:	Shoes
	Rowers attach their feet to their boat via shoes fixed to a metal plate in the boat. This provides them with a stable base to push off.
5:	Coxswain
	Some boats have a coxswain (cox) who may sit in the front or back of the boat. In a coxed boat, the cox steers the boat and instructs the crew while also acting as a lookout.
6:	Bow
	The bow is the front end of the boat and it is also the name given to the rower who sits in the bow. Bow is also referred to as ‘number one’, the rower who will cross the finishing line first.
7:	Stroke
	The person at the back or the stern of the boat is called ‘stroke’ – in an eight he or she is ‘number eight’. All the other rowers in the boat follow the rhythm and rate set by the stroke.