Dictionary of Paddling Commands

ATTENTION PLEASE

Race official’s warning that race start is imminent.

BACK HALF

Normally, last 5 seats unless otherwise designated.

BACK IT DOWN

Paddle backwards.

BRACE THE BOAT

All paddlers place blades on surface of the water to stabilize the boat. Usually used when paddlers change positions in the boat.

CATERPILLAR

Uneven timing, not in time with the strokes.

CHECK THE BOAT

Put on the brakes. ALL paddlers jam their paddles into the water at 90 degrees and holds it there until the boat stops.

DRAW

Pull at a 90 degree angle in to the side of the boat.
Call will be "Right/left side draw" or "Right/left front/back draw"

DRUMMER

Designated crew member who sits at the front of the boat and drums during races.

EVENS

Paddlers sitting in even numbered seats.

FINISH IT NOW

Drummer calls for final all-out effort to end the race.

FRONT HALF

Normally, first 5 seats unless otherwise designated

HOLD THE BOAT

Same as ‘Check the boat’. We prefer ‘check the boat’ because ‘hold the boat’ sounds too much like ‘whole boat’.

LET ‘ER RUN

Music to the ears. Stop paddling and relax.

ODDS

Paddlers sitting in odd numbered seats.

PADDLE EASY

Paddle at 50% or less. Does not mean stop.

PADDLES UP

Paddles in the water, blades fully buried, paddlers are ready to paddle.

POWER TEN

Ten powerful strokes, in perfect time.

PRY

Opposite to draw, a 90 degree push away from the side of the boat.

STEERER

Person at the back of the boat using the long steering oar.

STROKE

ROTATE

Turn the torso to maximize reach

REACH

Stretch out before blade is placed in catch position.

CATCH

Fully buried blade catches the water at the front of the stroke

PULL

Blade is pulled vertically through the water

EXIT

Paddle leaves the water, quickly and cleanly

RECOVERY

Paddle snaps forward in position for next stroke

TAKE IT AWAY

Begin paddling.

TIME IT UP

Ensure that everyone is paddling in time.

WHOLE BOAT

Every one in the boat does whatever is called for.

Drummer:

Drummers control the boat. If the drummer says something, the team must be conditioned to respond as a unit. The only exception to this is that the Steersperson can take over the boat at any time for safety reasons.
The drummer keeps the crew motivated. The toughest job for the drummer is learning what excites and calms the crew, then using each when appropriate. In some cases a good drummer will know this for each paddler. It is essential that the drummer attend as many practices as possible to learn all they can about the team and each individual paddler. This helps significantly on race day.

Steersperson:

The Steersperson is the person responsible for the safety of the crew and the boat. It is their job to ensure all safety equipment is on the boat and the boat is sea worthy.
At any time the Steersperson can take control of the boat for Safety reasons. This applies to both Drummer and Coach. The crew must be absolutely clear on this fact.

Stroke:

First two paddlers in the boat, who set the stroke rate.