The racing start is important to racing fast and it will require practice. The start could be defined as the actions required to go from zero to maximum speed.
The official start call
This is the official call for the start on race day for the Royal St. John’s Regatta. The race starter will call out the following:
- “Are you ready number one?;
- Are you ready number two?;
- Are you ready number three?;
- Are you ready number four?;
- Are you ready number five?”
If the crew is not ready to start, the coxswain, and only the coxswain, should raise their hand or stand up. The starter will restart the starting sequence.
If all crews are ready, the starter will ask “Are you all ready?” and the starter will fire the gun. NOTE: this will happen fast – coxswains and rowers must be ready to take the first stroke when the gun is fired.
Coxswain basics
If a problem occurs within one minute after the gun is fired, the coxswain should raise his or her hand or stand up. The starter will fire the gun a second time to indicate a false start.
It is important for coxswains to practice the following so that they are ready for a race start.
- Line up on a starting keg and grab the toggle
- You may need to ask number one or two to grab the toggle for you and pass it up the line
- With a southerly wind, you will want to grab the toggle with your right hand. This will ensure that when the wind blows the boat toward the north side of the pond (your left) the toggle rope does not go under the shell or get caught in the rudder. If the wind is coming from the North, toward the boathouse, grab the toggle with your left hand.
- CAUTION: take a quick look behind you to ensure that the toggle rope is clear of the boat. If it is under the boat, the toggle could get tangled in the rudder, causing a false start.
- Find your point so you can steer a straight course to that point
- Call “touch number one” and “touch number two” to keep your point and the keep the boat as far in front of the starting keg as possible
- Hold the rudder ropes tightly around your waist or hips with your free hand to keep the rudder straight while you are waiting to start
- Rowers should do the following when they are at the starting keg waiting for the race to start:
- sit in a neutral, relaxed but alert position, eyes and head in the boat
- #1 and 2 rowers need to be ready to take “touch-up” strokes
- when the starter begins the starting sequence, get in the catch position with the blade fully covered; stay relaxed
- when the gun sounds, take the first stroke of the starting sequence and then follow the coxswain’s calls
The racing start – stroke breakdown
Starting strokes
The first few strokes will get the boat moving from a dead stop. The strokes should be quick but powerful and the timing of all six rowers must be perfect. These strokes may be done at half slide or three quarter slide and the back swing may be shortened.
On the first stroke of the start, apply full power with the legs and be patient as the boat will be very hard to move from a dead stop. If you rush this first stroke the boat unstable for the next stroke or more.
A simple start sequence
Start at 3/4 or full slide with your heels flat on the footboard and sitting tall in the catch position with the blade fully buried. On the call, push firmly against the foot-board, all of the way back to the end of the slide. You can have a little less layback to help with quickness. The aim is to pry the boat away, being patient through the drive for a strong, clean finish. Take four more strokes like the first one ensuring that you have a solid patient drive, moving a little faster as you gain boat speed. Once you attain the desired stroke rate, the coxswain will call to lengthen and rowers can get into their race pace and rhythm.
An advanced start sequence
Part I: five strokes to get the boat moving
Start at 3/4 or full slide with your heels flat on the footboard and sitting tall in the catch position with the blade fully buried. On the call, push firmly against the foot-board, all of the way back to the end of the slide. You can have a little less layback to help with quickness. The aim is to pry the boat away, being patient through the drive for a strong, clean finish.
If you grab with your arms, are tense, or try to overpower the first stroke, your blade will rip through the water resulting in an inefficient stroke and one that upsets boat balance. Be powerful but patient and row the first stroke with perfect technique.
Then take two strokes at 1/2 slide and two strokes at full slide. All five strokes will have a short back swing (or ‘lay back’) and will be at a higher rate than race pace.
On the recovery of the first and second strokes it is important to control handle speed and body movements and ensure they are in sync. This will ensure that the boat stays balanced and it allows for powerful subsequent strokes and good boat run.
Part II: five strokes at a high rate
The next five strokes are quick strokes at full slide and full pressure. The back swing may be similar to the five starting strokes – a littler shorter than normal. Combine 100% effort with 100% relaxation.
Although these five strokes are quick, they should not feel rushed. You should feel as though you are moving the boat forward versus "ripping" the blade through the water. Be powerful but patient.
Part III: five strokes to lengthen
Maintain full pressure on the footboard and gradually increase stroke length by adding a little more layback. The stroke rate should decrease gradually and you should work to establish good ratio, rhythm, and stroke rate.
Calling for rhythm and ratio is a good idea after the start. This call will help the crew row with rhythm without losing too much speed. Something like "Rhythm in two, one, two, on this one" and "legs, send, legs, send, legs, send" are useful calls here.
Practice the start
A good start takes practice but the good news is that you can work on elements of the start multiple times during a practice session and you can practice a full start during high intensity intervals and race warm-ups.
Practice the first five strokes
From a dead stop, complete the five starting strokes. After the fifth stroke, let it run with arms away. Call “blades down” (rowers place their blades flat on the water) and then “check it down” (rowers square their blades in the water to stop the boat). Repeat 2-3 times.
Practice a full start
From a dead stop, complete the full start. After the last hard stroke, let it run with arms away. Call “blades down, check it down.”
Practice a full start and transition to race pace
From a dead stop, complete the full start but this time, keep rowing long enough for the rowers to establish a good race pace ratio and rhythm. These pieces can be on your hard training day where you may do one to three minute intervals.
NOTE: the coxswain should make calls to prepare rowers for the next set of strokes in the starting sequence. For example, "Lengthen after two, one, two, on this one!"
Fixed Seat Rowing 