written by Brock Sampson
Hello students! What an awesome class Thursday evening. How did you like rowing with experienced rowers? I think it’s a great way to learn in a quick and effective manner.
I’d like to reflect on our lesson, by referring to our ‘Into to Rowing’ handbook you should have received your first day, and a couple of videos that re-enforce some things you experienced on the water.
| EQUIPMENT and TERMINOLOGY: Page 3, 5 and 6 |
In the video above, Charlotte Hollings with Calm Waters Rowing, demonstrates some fundamentals. Please note that, even though she demonstrates from a ‘single skull’ (2 oars), equipment adjustments and safety applies to what we learned in the ’8+ sweep’ (0ne oar):
- Understanding what ‘blade’, either ‘port’ (facing ‘stern’, your right oar and ‘rigger’) or ‘starboard’ (facing ‘stern’, your left oar and ‘rigger’) it is critical that once the ‘blade’ is placed in the ‘oarlock’, that the ‘gate’ is facing ‘stern’, and fastened securely.
- When the ‘coxswain’ calls for ‘blades’ out to water, make sure that the ‘blade’ is fully pushed out to its ‘collar’.
- To have an effective and safe row, adjustments of ‘foot boards’ may be necessary. Review the wing nuts that that are applicable to adjustment. How does the ‘finish’ position Charlotte demonstrates in the ‘single skull’ apply to a ‘sweep’ position in an 8+?
| SWEEP ROWING and TECHNIQUE:: Page 10 and 12 |
In the above video, Charlotte demonstrates some fundamentals from the ‘finish’, through ‘recovery’ to ‘catch’. Below are some takeaways that we can incorporate each day on the water:
- ‘blades’ drop in (gravity takes over) before the ‘drive’ (with legs) takes place
- hold the arms (hang the arms, like on a jungle gym) all the way until the legs are down, allowing the momentum generated through your strongest legs to move through your back, then arms
- idea is not to JAM the pressure on at the ‘catch’, but squeeze pressure through from heel, total legs, total body, including lower back and lats, and finishing strong with a confident finish
- GOOD ANALOGY:: create a concrete slab by way of blades square in the water. Now, what’s the best way to move the boat through that concrete slab? not by using my arms to bring the blades into my body, but effective use of my powerful legs, hanging off the blade, and ‘squeezing’ power from heel to a powerful finish.
Ok team, the fastest way to enjoy rowing, is to be effective early on. Please use this forum to add comments and questions, so that others can learn from our journey. Ofcouse, I am always available at media@austinrowing.org to answer your questions via email. See you next Tuesday!
