From: Louise Calibo LOUISE.CALIBO@itron.com
Newsgroups: rec.sport.rowing
Subject: definitions
Date: Thu, 08 Feb 1996 16:25:51 -0800
Organization: Coeur d'Alene Rowing Association

BACK BRACE - self explanatory: the medical device used by rookie rowers after their first few practice.

BLADE WORK - a person's ability to use a knife or other sharp instrument to threaten those late to practice.

BOW - a gesture of respect, done by bending at the waist, given by rookie rowers to experienced rowers.

BUCKET - the equivalent of an airline sickness bag, used almost exclusively by rookie rowers.

BUCKING THE OAR - started at a local rowers' bar, similar to mechanical bull riding.

CATCH - bagging a date with a fellow rower. It is not a flying fish that happens to jump into the shell.

CHECK - what bounces when paying membership dues.

CLINKER - a person, of either sex, that fails to show the natural ability to row.

CRAB - the person rowing next to you, usually after a night of "bucking the oar" at the local rowers' bar.

DECK - what you do to the "crab".

DOUBLE - what two sets of "catches" do.

DRIVE - the means of getting to the latest regatta. It is best done in groups...in groups with beer.

EIGHT - four sets of "catches". Very unwieldy and complicated for dating purposes.

ENDURANCE TRAINING. - an excuse given for being at the rowers' bar "bucking the oar".

FIN - a five dollar bill. May be used to chip in for gas on a "drive". Best used for buying a round at the rowers' bar.

FLURY- Best lightweight ever

HANDLE - unsightly, fleshy things that show up on your sides as you lean forward during the stroke.

HEEL CUPS - used to hold liquid refreshments in the shell.

HOLD ALL - an expression used during the poker game going on in the back seat during the "drive".

ITALIAN RIG - a Ferrari racing shell, usually red.

KEEL - short for "keel over", which is done after the first few training runs or after "bucking the oar".

LEATHER - the coxswain lashes this to encourage more speed from the crew. See "BEN HUR".

LENGTH IN THE WATER - the amount of time spent in the water after falling/being pushed over board.

MISSING WATER - attempting to row in the Mojave or Sahara.

PITCH - made to the rower next to you during mixed fours or mixed eights training.

PITCH METER - the record of successful "pitches".

PORT - type of wine stored in the heel cup.

PULL-THROUGH - what everyone hopes you will do after your first case of hypothermia.

RIGGER - short for "rigor mortis", commonly after coming off of the water after practice on a cold November day.

THWART - what is done to most "pitches".

TRACKS - made on the way to the water when late fall season practices occur during early winter snows in north Idaho.

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