Non-Danish speakers and members who are learning Danish can easily start rowing in Roklubben Øresund. To participate safely in boat trips, it is important to become familiar with the most common Danish rowing commands used on the water. On this page you will find a list of the most frequently used rowing commands in both Danish and English, making it easier to follow instructions and communicate in the boat.
Use of commands
In all boats and on all trips, the cox (styrmand) is responsible for the boat and gives all commands. The cox ensures safety, navigation and coordination of the crew throughout the trip.
In inrigger boats, crew members take turns sitting in the cox’s seat. When sitting in this position, the rower is expected to give commands because they have the best view ahead. However, the designated cox always has the final responsibility and the final word in all situations, and this must be respected by all crew members.
If any crew member feels uncomfortable with the conditions — for example if the trip is too long, the weather is too windy, or the situation feels unsafe — they should speak up. The cox must listen and adjust the route, pace or plan as much as possible to ensure a safe and comfortable trip for everyone.
Command style
Many rowing commands are given in two steps to ensure that the crew is prepared and acts at the same time.
- The first command is a warning command (for example “Ready to…”), which tells the crew that an action will follow shortly. At this stage, the crew only prepares and does not start the action.
- The second command is the execution command, which tells the crew to perform the action.
Example:
- “Ready to row” – crew prepares and takes position
- “Row” – crew starts rowing
This structure helps create clear communication, better coordination and safer rowing on the water.
* = Translation into English is perhaps questionable
| Danish | English | Description |
| Commands to get in and out of the boat | ||
| Klar til at gå om bord | Get ready to board* | There are four commands: two for boarding the boat and two for returning to shore:
1a) The coxswain keeps the boat stable while rowers take their positions and place one foot inside the boat. 1b) Rowers step into the boat, sit down, and secure both feet in the footstraps. 2a) The coxswain holds the boat steady as rowers loosen their footstraps, stand, and put one foot on the shore. 2b) Rowers step onto the shore with both feet. |
| Om bord | Board* | |
| Klar til at gå fra borde | Get ready to go ashore* | |
| Fra borde | Go ashore* | |
| Commands to balance and start from land | ||
| Balance | Balance | Rowers adopt the “Way enough” position, pressing oar handles against the gunwale. The cox balances on the seat by observing the blades to achieve optimal stability. |
| Sæt fra | Set free* | Rowers push the boat to get clearance from shore. |
| Commands to start rowing or backing | ||
| Til roning klar | Ready to row | Two-step command to start rowing:
1a) Rowers are ready for rowing – forward on the seat, arms stretched, legs bent, oar blade squared out of the water (ready position). |
| Ro væk | Row (or: Go) | |
| Sæt fra | Push* | Rowers push the boat to get clearance from shore. |
| Commands to start rowing or backing | ||
| Til roning klar | Ready to row | Two-step command to start rowing:
1a) Rowers are ready for rowing – forward on the seat, arms stretched, legs bent, oar blade squared out of the water (ready position). |
| Ro væk | Row (or: Go) | |
| Til skodning klar | Ready to back (or: Back it down) | Two-step command to start backing (opposite direction of rowing):
1a) Rowers get ready for backing – arms bent (oar to chest), legs stretched, oar blade squared out of the water, blades reversed on the square. |
| Skod væk | Back | |
|
Commands to change speed or to stop |
||
| Det er vel (or: Vel roet) | Way enough (or: Easy Oars) | Rowers stop what they are doing and sit with arms and legs stretched and oar blade out of the water and horizontal. |
| Småt roning | Light pressure | Rowers are rowing with the same pace and the same rhythm as ordinary rowing, but with less pull during the drive – either starboard or port or both. The boat keeps just enough speed to allow the cox to steer with the rudder. |
| Lige træk (or: normalt træk) | Normal pressure | Normal pressure both port and starboard side of the boat. The command is used to cancel out “Light pressure”. |
| Åren på vandet | Blades down (or: Drop) | Three commands that reduce boat speed, ranging from minor to major effects:
1) Oar blades feathered and resting on the water, with arms and legs extended (similar to “Way enough,” but oars remain on the water). 2) Rowers submerge the oar blade 5–10 cm below the water’s surface to reduce speed. The blade is positioned vertically or at a slight angle. 3) If the boat doesn’t stop quickly, the cox can issue a final command: place the oar blade vertically underwater, with the hollow side facing the direction of movement. |
| Sæt i | Check the boat | |
| Sæt hårdt i | Check the boat hard | |
| Commands to change the direction of the boat | ||
| 1) Bagbord småt roning 2) Bagbord vel roet 3) Bagbord sæt i 4) Bagbord sæt hårdt i |
1) Port light pressure 2) Port way enough 3) Port check 4) Port check hard |
There are four commands to turn the board toward starboard: 1 is gentle, 4 is strongest. Excessive turning makes rowing harder and should be avoided by the cox. |
| 1) Styrbord småt roning 2) Styrbord vel roet 3) Styrbord sæt i 4) Styrbord sæt hårdt i |
1) Starboard light pressure 2) Starboard way enough 3) Starboard check 4) Starboard check hard |
There are four commands to turn the board toward port: 1 is gentle, 4 is strongest. Excessive turning makes rowing harder and should be avoided by the cox. |
| Styrbord – fald ind or Bagbord – fald ind or simply Lige træk |
Starboard – fall in* or Port – fall in or Normal pressure |
Starboard / port begins to follow the rowing or backing actions of the rowers on the opposite side.
This command is given when the cox says “Starboard / port way enough” to temporarily halt activity on one side, usually to help turn the boat. |
| Commands to turn the boat (like 180° in narrow water) | ||
| -Styrbord til skodning klar -Bagbord til roning klar -Skod væk -Ro væk |
-Starboard ready to back -Port ready to row -Back -Row |
These four commands turn the boat toward starboard, with starboard rowers in backing position and port rowers rowing. The sides alternate strokes, following each other on the seat to avoid confusion, until the cox calls “Way enough.” |
| -Bagbord til skodning klar -Styrbord til roning klar -Skod væk -Ro væk |
-Port ready to back -Starboard ready to row -Back -Row |
These four commands turn the boat toward port, with port rowers in backing position and starboard rowers rowing. The sides alternate strokes, following each other on the seat to avoid confusion, until the cox calls “Way enough.” |
| Various commands | ||
| Åren tværs | Oars in | The oar is pulled in across the boat until the collar touches the opposite gunwale. The rowers stop rowing. |
| Kvart åren | Pull in oar halfway | The oar is pulled in to the extent that the rowers have on hand on each side of the leather (plastic cuff) covering around the button. This can be done while rowing. This command is used in narrow waters, like in a small river. |
| Åren ud | Oars out | The oar is extended outward, and the rowers assume the ‘Way enough’ position. The rowers continue rowing while carrying out the command. |
| Åren langs | Go into layback position | As the rower extends their body backward, they draw the oar shaft across their torso, positioning the oar blade and shaft parallel to the side of the boat. The rower only holds the oar with the innermost hand. This command is used in narrow waters (like rivers), when calling harbour or before swopping seats in the boat (inrigger only). |
| Klar til at rejse årer | Ready to lift oars | Two commands to lift the oars:
1a) The rowers open the gate on the swivel and withdraw the oar until the leather or plastic covering the loom is disengaged from the swivel. 1b) Rowers remove the oar from the swivel, place the blade upward with the shaft resting near the keel, and ensure the hollow side of the blade faces stern. These commands serve two purposes: saluting someone important, such as the royal ship “Dannebrog”, and calling on a bridge. |
| Rejs årer | Lift oars | |
| Lad falde | Lower oars | The oar is set on the gunwale behind the swivel, then put into the swivel and gate is locked. This cancels the “Lift oars” command, and rowers take the “Way enough” position. |
| Se til åren | Heads up | Rowers watch their oars to avoid hitting buoys and, when needed, pull them in or place them next to the boat. If required, the cox will give instructions. |