In river-rowing, when the tide or current is with the rower, a learner
should in general take the middle of the stream. In rowing with the
tide, however, watermen generally cut off the points, in order to keep
a straight course. When the tide or current is against the rower, he
should take the sides, preferring that side on which, owing to the
course of the river, the current is least. As there is an eddy under
the points, watermen generally, when rounding them, shoot the water to
the next point, and so on.