ARA Amateur Rowing Association. The national governing body for rowing in England, to which all clubs should be affiliated. Offers individual membership with benefits of monthly magazine, website information, insurance and racing licence to open regattas that are run under the associations rules.

Back down. Term used to describe using a reverse rowing action to manoeuvre the boat backwards or for turning.

Backstay. The back brace of a rigger that locks the pin in position to maintain pitch. (not found on wing rigger boats.

Backstops. The end of the slide nearest the bow. Prevents the seat from running off the slide. Also used to describe the position at which the athlete sits with their legs straight and blade to their chest.

Beginning. The moment at which the spoon of the blade is immersed in the water and propulsive force applied. Immersion and force application should be indistinguishable actions. Also called the Catch.

Blade. An oar.

Button. The plastic circular section of the oar that is pressed against the swivel when rowing.

Bow. End of the boat that travels through the water first and is sharpest. Athlete that sits in the seat position nearest this end of the boat.

Bow Ball. Ball shaped safety cap that sits over the bow end of the boat. Compulsory on all rowing boats for safety of other water users.

Bow Side. The right hand (starboard) side of the boat as the cox sits or the left hand side of the boat for a rower. Often marked by a green stripe on the oar.

Burst. A small number of strokes (usually less than a minute) taken at full pressure in training.

Canvas. The covered section of the boat that is from the bow to the open area (where the athlete sits) and from the open area to the stern. Often used to as a description of how much a race was won or lost by.

Catch. See beginning.

Cleaver. Type of blade that has a spoon in the shape of a meat cleaver.

Collar. Plastic sleeve fixed to the oar that the button circles. Button can be moved along the collar to adjust blade gearing.

‘Come forward’. Verbal instruction used by the cox or athlete to bring the crew to frontstops position ready to row.

Connection. Used to describe the link between the power of an athletes legs to the force applied to the spoon of the blade. Should be made as soon as the catch is taken and held through the trunk muscles for the length of the work section of the stroke.

Cox. Person who steers the boat by means of strings or wires attached to the rudder. Can be positioned in either the stern or bow of the boat.

Coxless. Boat without a cox.

Crab. When the oar becomes caught in the water at the moment of extraction and the blade handle strikes the athlete. Often causes unintentional release of the blade and significant slowing of boat speed.

Double. Boat for two scullers.

‘Easy Oar/Off’. Verbal instruction given by cox or athlete for crew to stop rowing.

Eight. Boat for eight sweep rowers. Will always have a cox.

Ergo. Indoor rowing machine used for training.

 
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