Note 10 — Chapter VI · COMBINED OARSMANSHIP IN EIGHTS (continued).

The simplest and easiest plan is to have the back of the blades flat on the water while you are waiting for the word. In rowing with a strong tide it may sometimes be advisable to have the top of the blades turned over towards the stern and to square blades at the "Are you ready?" But this requires a lot of practice, and even then generally causes unsteadiness.