What is the primary benefit of using a cadence call during drills?

• A. Increases power without regard to technique
• B. Causes fatigue
• C. Disrupts rhythm
• D. Regulates pace, helps synchronize crew, and maintains technique consistency

Answer: (D)

Cadence calls establish tempo and coordination among rowers. By providing a steady beat, the call gives every rower a target stroke rate to hit together, so the boat moves with a unified rhythm. This shared tempo helps the crew stay synchronized, meaning the catch and finish happen in unison and the timing stays consistent across strokes. With that common tempo, drill work—whether focusing on length, technique, or timing—stays aligned, and individual variations don’t drift the boat off rhythm. This is why the primary benefit is regulating pace, helping the crew synchronize, and maintaining technique consistency. Increasing power without regard to technique or aiming to fatigue the crew isn’t what cadence calls are for, and they’re meant to support rhythm rather than disrupt it.