Perfect Stroke articles from ARA magazine

The Stroke

the catch: in which oars are placed in the water
the pull through, or drive: in which the legs are extended and the body opens up to make maximum use of the slide, levering the boat forwards
the finish: in which oars come out of the water
the recovery: in which the rower's body moves towards the stern in preparation for the next stroke; Oars are rotated onto the feather parallel to the water surface at the finish to minimise air resistance and to the vertical at the catch to maximise water resistance.