This program is funded
in part by a grant from the
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Bi-sweptual
Rower with the ability to row on
either side. There
is no advantage to
being a port rower or a starboard rower. The team needs both.
Blisters
Part
of the fun. Everyone gets
them and there
is little one can do, although some recommend wet tea bags or tincture of benzoin.
Bow
Front of the boat. Remember that the
rowers face the stern and the bow rower crosses the finish line first.
The bow
rower is in seat #1.
Cox Box
A small electronic device that amplifies the
coxswain's voice and gives a readout of information, such as the
current stroke rating.
Coxswain (or Cox)
A small, lightweight Napoleonic-type who steers the shell and
encourages the rowers to give their best.
Crab
A
problem
encountered by a rower when his or her oar gets "stuck" in the water
which is caused by improper squaring or feathering. The
momentum
of the shell can overcome the rower's control of the oar.
In extreme cases the rower can actually be ejected
from the
shell by the
oar.
Head Race
The fall season race type (as in Head of the Charles). This
is a
race against the clock with a running, staggered start. Each boat
steers the fastest course down the course, not unlike a skier running
down the "fall line." Slower boats pull over for faster ones.
The winner of each division is referred to as the "head" of
that
river.
Paddles
They're not paddles. Rowers use oars. Kayakers use
paddles.
Pogies
Large mittens that fit over the oars and keep the rowers hands a bit
warmer and drier on cold and rainy days. One is shaped like a
T
and the other like an L. These are by no means necessary and some
rowers
don't like them. An old pair of large wool socks works too.
Port
Oar is to the right of the rower.
Race Designations
W8+ is a shell with 8 women rowers + a coxswain.
M4- is a shell with 4 male rowers without a coxswain.
Also, M2, W4+, W4-, M8-, etc. Our rowers are usually in the
races
designated as Youth. Brookline has shells for 8+.
Regatta Race
This is a race against other boats in the same event. A
standing
start, each boat has its own lane. There are as many as eight
lanes in the larger venues. High school races are 1500
meters.
College/club races are usually 2000 meters. There
may be
multiple heats and runner-up races causing parents to hang around even
longer to cheer. Wear comfortable shoes.
Scull
Each rower has two smaller oars. The boats are singles, doubles,
and quads. A coxswain is not used. Brookline does not
scull.
Seat Numbers
Seat #1 is at the front of the boat and at the opposite end of the boat
from the coxswain. Rowers in #1 and #2 seat are small and have
good technique. Rowers in 3, 4, 5, and 6 seats are the
powerhouse rowers. Seats #7 and #8 are also strong rowers
with good technique and good rhythm. The coxswain sits in the
stern (back of the boat) facing the rower in seat #8.
Shell
These are very expensive, highly refined boats designed and equipped
for one thing - speed. At 60 feet in length and barely wider
than
your butt, these 300 pound behemoths are barely 3/32" thick.
A
new eight and oars can easily cost $35,000. Filled up with
nine
people, they can weigh a ton and attain speeds of 15-18 miles an hour.
Skeg
A small, flat piece of wood or plastic attached perpendicularly to the
bottom of the shell to help hold it on a straight course; also known as
the fin.
Slide
A set of runners holding wheels for each seat in a boat.
Starboard
Oar is to the left of the rower.
Stern
Rear end of the shell.
Stroke
The rower sitting nearest the stern and the coxswain who
sets the tempo for the other rowers under the coxswain's gentle
guidance. The stroke rower is in seat #8.
Sweep
Rower has one larger oar rowing in pairs, fours, and eights - with or without coxswain.
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