Coxwain's Commands
You can test your knowledge of these commands with our "Rowing Commands Quiz"
Command | Meaning |
Stand By | Get ready to row – arms straight, legs bent, lean forward, hands above ankles and oar just above the water. |
Give Way | Start rowing (pulling), taking your timing from the stroke |
Oars | Take your oar out of the water and stop rowing |
Back Water | Row by pushing the oar away from you instead pulling it towards you to make the boat go astern or assist in turning |
Hold Water or Hold! | Place your oar in the water and hold it there to stop the boat or assist in turning |
Row Easy | Reduce power in your strokes to slow down or help steer the boat |
Mind Your Oars | Warning to keep your oars clear of an approaching obstruction |
Fend Off | Fend-off, if safe to do so, to prevent damage to the boat or when coming alongside a jetty or another boat |
Rest On Your Oars or Pull ‘em In | Pull your oar in to rest across both gunwales so you can lean on them to rest |
Out Oars or Run 'em Out! | The recovery order from ‘Rest On Your Oars’. The oars are extended out, clear of the water, ready for pulling |
Eyes In the Boat! | Pay attention! (Often just "Eyes In!"). |
All these commands can be modified with Together / All, Port or Starboard to refer to everyone or to just one side of the boat. e.g. Stand By … Give Way … Together to start rowing, or Port Oars to get the port oars to reduce power and so bring the boat around to port.
When addressing only one side of the boat, call the side out first. E.g. Starboard Hold Water, Port Give Way
These commands might also be given with a count down. e.g. “Port Oars in 3 … 2 … 1 … Go”
You can test your knowledge of these commands with our "Rowing Commands Quiz"
