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What is Catching a crab in Rowing?

A mistake in which the blade gets trapped in the water at the finish or enters at the wrong angle, and the water's force drives the handle back into the rower — sometimes violently enough to stop the boat or eject the rower. Crabs at speed can end a race on the spot.

Example: A crab at the 1500m mark dropped them from second to fifth.

Related terms

Sweep rowingScullingRepechageCoxswainStroke (seat)BowBow ballCatch
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