Here are most of the commands you will come across in a pulling boat:

"Ship crutches" – Put crutch into crutch plate.

"Sight oars" – Check oar is ready for shipping.

"Toss oars" – Lift oar into the air with the blade upwards and hold vertical.

"Ship oars" – Put oar into crutch and hold out of the water, parallel to the surface.

"Prepare to give way..." – Lean forward with oar back and out of the water.

"...give way together" – All pull together in time with the stroke.

"Oars" – Complete one full stroke and then stop with oar out of the water, parallel to the surface.

"Hold water!" – An emergency order to instantly put your oar into the water and hold.

"Mind your oars!" – An emergency order warning you to keep your oar clear of an obstruction.

"Prepare to back water..." – Lean back with your oar forward and out of the water.

"...back water together" – All back water together in time with the stroke.

"Lengthen" – Increase the length of the stroke.

"Ease off" – Pull less vigorously.

"Trail oars" – Pass the loom of the oar over your head and trail the oar along the side of the boat.

"Gunwale oars" – Slide your oar across the boat to rest on the opposing gunwale.

"Cross oars" – Slide your oar down across the boat to rest inside the hull.

"Boat oars" – Lay oar down the centre of the boat with blades aft.

"Unship crutches" – Take crutch out of crutch plate.

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