Coxes must use standard commands in all situations. Deviations from the norm can be dangerous.
Taking the boat from the rack and out of the boathouse
- Hands on! Are you ready? Check lift is clean and not dragged
- Hold her stroke (bow) side!
- Bow (stroke) side under!
- Half turn! or Downstream/upstream riggers up! This is where the space for rowers plus boat is extremely limited
- Level!
Putting the boat into the water
- Hold it stroke (bow) side! Boat rested on thighs. Duck under quickly and hold something substantial i.e. shoulder or carrying bar, not slide runnner or stretcher
- Feel for the edge! With toes if boating from a pontoon
- Hands under hull!
- Lower! Check discarded shoes are out of the way and the boat is level and facing upstream
Getting the crew in
- Hands across! Hands on either saxboard, some weight on arms
- One foot in! Foot nearest boat onto deck at front stops
- In! Other foot into shoe and sit. Check blades in and gates locked
Check before setting off
- Number off from bow when ready! Adjust to finish
Paddling off
- Come forward! Check length of reach
- Are you ready?
- Paddle! or better Go!
Stopping (normal)
- Easy all! Easy as the blade goes in, All as they extract
- Drop! Blades on water
Stopping (emergency)
- Easy all - check her! Blades flat and pressed on water
- Check her hard! Blades reversed in water
Vary the pressure
- Next stroke - (paddle)
- light/firm/half pressure! Called on the next stroke
Turning
- Backstops! Boat level
- Backing down to bow side! (stroke side)
- Spin! One side rowing forwards, the other backing down. Unused blades slip across the surface
Manoeuvering
- Touch her bow! (side), two etc. or Back it down bow! (side), two etc. According to conditions
Rowing in rough conditions or wash
- Next stroke - feather high! Hands well down
Coming alongside
- Stroke (bow) side - blades up! Steer at an angle to the stage
Lifting out
- Hands on - are you ready? Toes on edge, one hand in and one under
- Lift!
Turning the boat over
- Hold her stroke (bow) side! Above heads is for experts only!
- Under bow (stroke) side! Quickly and get opposite riggers
- Spin!
Wash down
- Bow and two wash the hull
- Stroke and three collect blades and return them to the rack
- Cox hoses down