Appledore Pilot Gig Club - based in Appledore on the River Torridge

You will need to get your head round a few strange words before you step into a gig. These are the ones you will hear most frequently;

Bow: The pointy bit at the front of the boat. Also the rower in the number 1 seat

The “Bow Side is our term for the Port Side of the gig

As in “has anyone put the bung in?” when you first feel cold water swilling around your ankles

You “Catch a Crab” when the blade digs too deep into the water, this can push you off your seat or break a pin.

The cushion like thing that is hung off the bow to protect the gig from damage.

These protect your oar and prevent chaffing in the pins. Where you row on the leathers alters your power through the water

The buoys which mark a regatta course where you are most likely to hear a call of “give water” swiftly followed by nautical equivalent of a car crash.

“I am not a number” well you are in a gig. From 1 to 6 depending on where you sit

The seat at the very front of the gig also called the “seagull seat”

“Thole Pins” hold the oars on the gunwale. You pull against a hardwood pin and a softwood pin keeps the oar in place on the return stroke. Do not mix them up!!!!

: The rower in 6 who sets the pace for the rest of the gig. The “Stroke Side” is our term for the Starboard side of the gig.

Attached to the rudder, gives the Cox the leverage needed to turn the rudder by pulling on the “Yoke Lines”

A command from a Cox must be obeyed without question. To stay on their good side and keep out of trouble remember these calls;

Instruction to rowers 1, 1 & 2 or the whole bow side 1,3 & 5 on what to do as in “Give us a stroke bow”

Call from the Cox to take a quick short stoke while on the start line, so you are not caught mid stroke on the GO….

Shouted call from Cox, traditionally ignored, for other gigs in race to move over. Note call from umpires must be obeyed

As in “up oars” or “ship oars” but never pointed to the bow as it is unlucky

Instruction to rowers 6, 5 & 6 or the whole stroke side 6, 4 & 2 on what to do as in “stroke side take a stroke”

The bow rower tosses his oar from bow side to row stroke side helping the gig to turn the buoys more quickly in a race.

After a race as tradition dictates, given loudly for the gig you beat and by the gig that beats yours

Finally here are a few terms used by our seasoned veterans to hold you in good stead.

A revitalising tonic which is drunk by adult crew’s at the end of a regatta

Revered by those of us who have been given the opportunity to compete and a truly magical place

And that is all there is to it. Time you put what you have leaned into practice and get out and row.



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			Gig Rowing Terms

			You will need to get your head round a few strange words before you step into a gig. These are the ones you will hear most frequently; Bow: The pointy bit at the front of the boat. Also the rower in the number 1 seat Bow Side: The “Bow Side is our term for the Port Side of the gig Bung: As in “has anyone put the bung in?” when you first feel cold water swilling around your ankles Catch: When the blade of your oar catches the water at the start of the stroke Clash Oars: What happens when oars collide in a race and best avoided Cox: The boss: he or she who will be obeyed at all times Crab: You “Catch a Crab” when the blade digs too deep into the water, this can push you off your seat or break a pin. Engine Room: The power positions in the gig at 3 & 4 Feathering: Turning the oars on the return stroke to reduce wind drag Fender: The cushion like thing that is hung off the bow to protect the gig from damage. Full Oar: Pulling your weight in the gig and getting a bend in the blade Gunwale: The strong top rail of the gig which is pronounced “Gunnel” Knees: The L shaped timbers which secure the thwarts to the gig Leathers: These protect your oar and prevent chaffing in the pins. Where you row on the leathers alters your power through the water Mark: The buoys which mark a regatta course where you are most likely to hear a call of “give water” swiftly followed by nautical equivalent of a car crash. Numbers: “I am not a number” well you are in a gig. From 1 to 6 depending on where you sit Pilot Seat: The seat at the very front of the gig also called the “seagull seat” Pins: “Thole Pins” hold the oars on the gunwale. You pull against a hardwood pin and a softwood pin keeps the oar in place on the return stroke. Do not mix them up!!!! Rudder: Steers the gig Stern: The opposite of the pointy bit Stretchers: What your feet push against Stroke: The rower in 6 who sets the pace for the rest of the gig. The “Stroke Side” is our term for the Starboard side of the gig. Thwart: The bit of the gig you sit on Vaseline: Used to reduce friction on the leathers and butts Yoke: Attached to the rudder, gives the Cox the leverage needed to turn the rudder by pulling on the “Yoke Lines” A command from a Cox must be obeyed without question. To stay on their good side and keep out of trouble remember these calls; And Row: Request made by the Cox to start crew rowing (not racing) Bow, pair / side: Instruction to rowers 1, 1 & 2 or the whole bow side 1,3 & 5 on what to do as in “Give us a stroke bow” Back Water: Row backwards – to reverse the gig or turn it in a confined space Buoy Approaching: Instruction to crew that a turning mark is approaching Buoy: Turn the boat now……. Come Forward: Crew move forward into the start position but blades feathered Dab us up: Call from the Cox to take a quick short stoke while on the start line, so you are not caught mid stroke on the GO…. Easy Up: Stop rowing….. Give Water: Shouted call from Cox, traditionally ignored, for other gigs in race to move over. Note call from umpires must be obeyed GO: Time to go to work…… Hold Water: Hold your blade in the water to stop or slow the gig Oars….: As in “up oars” or “ship oars” but never pointed to the bow as it is unlucky Ready to Row: Follows “come forward” turn your blade and get ready to row Row Hard: Instruction to row at full power Row Long: Instruction to keep the full length of stroke to help the gig run Stoke, pair / side: Instruction to rowers 6, 5 & 6 or the whole stroke side 6, 4 & 2 on what to do as in “stroke side take a stroke” Take a Stroke: is to complete the rowing action once. Toss the Oar: The bow rower tosses his oar from bow side to row stroke side helping the gig to turn the buoys more quickly in a race. Three Cheers: After a race as tradition dictates, given loudly for the gig you beat and by the gig that beats yours Finally here are a few terms used by our seasoned veterans to hold you in good stead. Beer: A revitalising tonic which is drunk by adult crew’s at the end of a regatta Blisters: An unavoidable consequence of pulling a full oar Giggers Arse: Similar to Blisters and not for polite conversations Gloves: A fashion accessory which moves blisters around your hand Scilly Isles: Revered by those of us who have been given the opportunity to compete and a truly magical place And that is all there is to it. Time you put what you have leaned into practice and get out and row.