Decent Rowing
  • Rowing Courses
  • Rowing Library
  • Rowing Courses
  • Rowing Library

Adjusting the Riggers


Adjusting the height to achieve the correct position on the water

The best way to work out if you need to change the heights of a boat's riggers is to get the athletes to sit in the boat at the finish.

This video demonstrates the correct position to sit at the finish. From here you will be able to attain an understanding of whether or not the height of the gates needs to be changed.

How to measure and change heights

This is one of the most common adjustments which has to be done to the rowing boat. 

Thankfully adjusting the gate height has become more and more easy with height clips. Here we show you the basics of measuring and changing the height of the gates  

How to Measure the Symmetry of the Pins

The pins which hold the gates should be equal distance away from the mid-line of the boat. This video shows how to measure the pins.  

How to Measure the Span

The span of a rowing boat is a measure of how far the gates are from the centre of the rowing boat. In a scull boat(2 oars each) the span is measured from the centre of one pin to the centre of the other. 

In a sweep  boat(1 oar each) the span is measured from the centre of the pin to the mid-line of the boat. 

How to Rig a boat with nuts and bolts

There are many different ways to attach a rigger to a boat. The oldest and most trusted way of attaching a rigger is with nuts and bolts. 

This does take a little longer than some of the newer methods but there is less to go wrong and there is no need for specialist parts should anything break.  

How to Rig a boat with a clip-on rigger

Clip on riggers are very fast and easy to use but plastic clips can cause some trouble if people try to clip them down when they are too tight.  

How to de-rig a clip on rigger

Using a plastic coated screwdriver is a simple way to avoid scratching the nice finish given to clip on riggers. 

​Join 13000 rowers and coaches who have already signed up for our rowing tips.


Sign up for our email list and get 12 beginner videos, 9 advanced videos, 2 training ​programs and one training piece


Rowing Library

  • Introduction​
  • Fault Correction
  • Equipment and Safety
  • Rowing Technique
  • Athlete Assessment and Testing
  • Training Methodology and Programs
  • Rigging
  • Biomechanics and Biomech Analysis
  • Strength, Conditioning and Flexibility
  • Athlete Health
  • Coach and Athlete Management
  • Athlete Category Issues (beginner, school, elite, masters and adaptive)
  •  Coxswain Resources
  • Racing and Regattas
  • Technology in Rowing (equipment, apps etc)
  • ​Guest Experts
Go Back