Section 4: Players & Officials
4.1 Crew Composition
- Rowers: Crew sizes range from 1 (single) to 8 (eight). All rowers face the stern of the boat and propel it backward.
- Coxswain (cox): Present in the Eight (8+) and sometimes in coxed pairs or fours at non-Olympic events. The cox sits in the stern (or lies in the bow in modern shells) and steers the boat, calls racing commands, and manages crew rhythm and race tactics.
4.2 Coxswain Weight Requirements
Minimum coxswain weight is 55.0 kg (121.3 lb) regardless of gender. Coxswains under the minimum must carry dead weight (lead or sand bags) secured in the boat, distributed as close to the cox's position as possible. The cox box is included in the weigh-in.
4.3 Steering in Coxless Boats
In coxless boats (pairs, fours, quads, doubles, singles), steering is accomplished through a small rudder controlled by a foot-operated cable attached to one rower's foot stretcher. The designated rower (typically the stroke or bow seat) makes minor rudder adjustments during the race.
4.4 Officials
- Starter: Aligns boats and issues the start command ("Attention — Go!" or electronic tone).
- Umpire: Follows each race in a motorized launch, ensuring crews stay in their lanes and do not interfere with each other. The umpire may issue warnings (white flag), penalties (red flag with crew identifier), or exclude a crew.
- Finish Judge: Determines order of finish using photo-finish technology.
- Jury: Adjudicates appeals and protests after the race.