An Introduction to Rowing by HL Fourie

feathered and then continue as usual. Do this every third stroke.
Pause Drill
    The goal is to improve balance. Pause for several seconds at the catch and then resume the stroke. This can also be done at the release. The cox will typically call "pause" and "row" to resume.
Acceleration
    This is also known as the pair add-in drill. The goal is to feel the acceleration and the contribution from each pair in a boat. A selected pair starts to row at full slide. After 20 strokes the next pair adds in. This continues until all pairs are rowing. When the bow pair starts to row first, add in the other pairs in this order: stern pair, 3&4, 5&6. When 3&4 start to row first, add-in: bow pair, 5&6, stern pair. When 5&6 start to row first add in: 3&4, bow pair, stern pair.

The coxswain is an important member of the crew. The coxswain is the leader of the crew on the water and has the following responsibilities:
Safety and Management of the crew and boat in and out of the water.
Steering the boat.
Motivating the crew during the race.
Make tactical decisions during the race.
Organization and direction of the crew.
Leading the crew through training drills.
    A coxswain should also learn how to row. With this ability the coxswain will be able to offer feedback on any problems on stroke technique to other members of the crew.
    The coxswain directs the crew using commands so that each member of the crew understands what is to be done, so that the same operation is executed by each crew member at the same time.
    The safety and care of the crew and boat are of vital importance. Shells are fragile and dents and scratches are costly to repair. The coxswain should manage and direct the crew at all times to ensure that this is achieved. The coxswain should be aware of the conduct of the crew and control their activities from the time the boat is carried from the boathouse until it is returned to the boathouse.
Position
     
    In eights the coxswain is always in the stern, while in coxed fours the coxswain may either be in the stern or the bow depending on whether shell is a stern-loader or a bow-loader. The coxswain should sit braced in the cockpit with feet on the foot boards and back on the back rest to avoid being slammed against the seat with each stroke. In a bow-loader the coxswain will be lying down in the bow cockpit of the boat.
Launching
     
    The coxswain guides the crew as they carry the boat upside down to the dock. Before the boat is placed into the water the coxswain checks that the skeg is intact and the rudder is able to turn freely. The coxswain then calls "Roll/swing to water on two", "One, two", "Roll/swing", and the crew rolls the boat over to waist height, with each rower holding the starboard and port gunwales in each hand. On the command "Lower it in" the crew lowers the boat gently into the water. The coxswain ensures that the skeg and rudder are clear of dock. Once in the water, the coxswain puts the coxbox into the cockpit and holds a rigger while the crew get their oars.
    The order in which the rowers and coxswain get into the boat varies by crew. For some crews it is coxswain first, then rowers, while for other crews it is rowers first and coxswain last. Once in the boat, the coxswain connects the coxbox to the loudspeaker cable and the head microphone connector, puts on the head microphone, turns on the coxbox and checks the audio over the loudspeakers. The coxswain now calls "Number off when ready" and each crew must call their seat number when ready. After the stroke seat has called, the coxswain should check that the direction of travel is clear and then call "Stroke/bow side push off".
Docking
     
    On approaching the dock the boat should be lined up so that the port or starboard side of the boat will be positioned adjacent to the dock. Strokes by the stern pair will be sufficient to slowly move the boat towards the dock. When the bow reaches the dock the coxswain can call "Lean away", so the the crew leans away from