Equipment Terms
Blades
The wide flat section of the oar at the head of the shaft, also known as the spoon. This term is often used when referring to the entire oar
Button (or collar)
A plastic or metal fitting tightened on the oar to keep the oar from slipping through the oarlock
Foot Stretcher (or bootstretchers)
An adjustable bracket in a shell to which the rower’s feet are secured in some sort of shoe or clog
Gunwale (or gunnel, saxboard)
Top section on the sides of a shell which runs along the sides of the crew section where the rowers are located. The riggers are secured to the gunwale with bolts.
Keel
The center line of the shell
Oarlock (or rowlock)
A U-shaped swivel which holds the oar in place. It’s mounted at the end of the rigger and rotates around a metal pin. A gate closes across the top to keep the oar in
Pitch
The angle between the blade (on the drive when the blade is ‘squared’) and a line perpendicular to the water’s surface
Rigger (or outrigger)
The device that connects the oarlock in the shell and is bolted to the body of the shell
Rigging
The adjustment and alteration of accessories (riggers, footstretchers, oar, etc.) in and on the shell. Examples of rigging adjustments that can be made are the height of the rigger, location of the foot-stretchers, location and height of the oarlocks, location of the button (or collar) on the oar and the pitch of the blade of the oar.
Rudder
Steering device at the stern. The rudder in turn is connected to some cables (tiller ropes) that the coxswain use to steer the shell
Scull
This term is used interchangeably when referring to one of the oars used in a sculling shell, the shell itself or to the act of rowing a sculling shell
Skeg (or Fin)
A small fin located along the stern section of the hull. This helps to stabilize the shell in holding a true course when rowing. All racing shells have a skeg. The skeg should not be confused with the rudder.
Slide (or track)
The track on which the seat moves
Slings (or boat slings, or trestles)
Collapsible/portable frames with straps upon which a shell can be placed
