Rowingchat

Racing equivalence for masters depends on using time handicaps. Does this work well? Can it be improved? What would you change? Timestamps 02:00 What are handicaps? Welcome our guest, Christopher Anton, a World Rowing multi-lane umpire. Handicaps were introduced 1980-1990s to try and level the playing field for crews of different age. There are tables which are standard times - based on regatta distance and the masters age groups which then indicate the handicaps by age group. The younger crew starts after the older crew and if everything works perfectly, they will dead heat on the finish line. The regatta organisers publish a set of standard times before the regatta starts. Now in the UK they race over 2 or 3 categories of adjacent age groups. Scotland has a different set of tables than England. 05:30 The timetables have been derived empirically over the years. US Rowing has a formula depending on the average age of the crews which deducts time at the end of the race. There are advantages and disadva

Rowing your first 2- or 1x race, side by side - What to do - What to expect - Recovering from mistakes Timestamps 00:30 Why do people learn to row? At the start, few want to race. 02:00 Your first race. You may feel "on stage" at a race and there are eyes on you. The outcome doesn't matter. It's personal 04:00 Learning in small boats 1x and 2- . The boat is your coach it gives you feedback - you will learn steering, balance, run on the recovery. Learn delicate steps which you take into large boats. It's the foundation to build your skills. 06:30 What to expect at your first race. Start by planning the race day. Get from the boat park to your race and back to the boat park. Write it down on paper. Start with getting the boat to the regatta, rigging it, checking your oars, have you got water bottle, how to get to the dock. Getting into the boat on the dock; know the circulation plan, where the warmup area is. How much time do you need to allow to ensure you are at the start 5 minutes before your race? Ba

Sometimes athletes get very, very tired. Today we will talk about recovering from exhaustion and the power of napping. Timestamps 01:00 Is it under recovery or over training? Mike Spraklen described it as under-recovery. Marlene prefers this term because it affects your ability to train. You don't have to be fully recovered to train effectively. You feel on "high alert" all the time. 04:00 Six causes of exhaustion noted by Elizabeth Avery, sport nutritionist. - Inadequate sleep - Depression or extreme stress - Acute illness e.g. cold virus - Inadequate nutrition especially carbohydrates - Inadequate hydration - Insufficient dietary iron - can affect vegans, vegetarians and women more. What's the reason? If your training has increased a lot recently, that could be a reason. You should be able to adapt to the new training load. Check your nutrition preferably post training. 06:00 There can be an accumulation of fatigue from session to session. After a heavy training day you may need an active rest day. Ho

The benefits of drills and ways to improve your rowing boat skills. 02:00 Skills in the boat. You have to spend time in the boat to acquire skills. What is your available time for practicing? Choose frequency over long outings. If your crew practices 3 times a week, can you add in a short single sculling outing alone to develop your skills? - Establish patterns - Body sequence - Blade work - Power application - Steering Use structured exercises to learn the pattern. Execute all your drills to a high level of skill - move carefully and deliberately. 05:00 Check your static position first at the finish at the start of the outing. Re-check each outing, especially if your crew lineup has changed. 06:15 Have a plan. Don't just go through the motions thoughtlessly. Pick drill has a purpose. It's a drive suspension drill and also to warm up your body. Be mindful in the boat with your movements. Develop your skills - check your adjustment each outing. Rushing into the outing may not be helpful. 08:30 Skills prog

Join Volker Nolte as he talks about his latest book - Rowing Science. https://amzn.to/3QhyHSE Timestamps 01:00 Volker has written two editions of the Rowing Faster book and now a third! This is part of the Rowing Science book series published by Sport Kinetics. 03:00 Volker has brought a group of experts together to write different chapters in the book with him editing it. He thinks it is much better having a diverse team to layer down the topic comprehensively. 04:30 This is a follow up to Rowing Faster - first published in 2005 and focused on coaching. The second edition of Rowing Faster included Olympic Gold medalists writing introductions to the chapters. 06:00 In this era of misinformation it's important that rowing is presented in scientific and well researched way to set straight some of the misunderstandings and bad information. Ideas like "even splitting" in races are a good example of this.Volker took scientific data and analysed it and can prove that it's misguided to see to even split a rowing

Tim is the club coach for Monmouth Rowing Club who won the Victor Ludorum Prize at the 2023 British Masters Rowing Championships. We discuss his methods, what the club is like and how to replicate success. Interview Tim Male Rowing Coach 04:00 Monmouth Rowing Club - the town rowing club draws people from around 20 miles away to join. 05:30 The club had talented individuals but rowed in small groups. Focus on private projects. Fragmented. Big projects require co-ordination. 06:30 Changes Tim made to the Club culture to bring people together. - Rowing together - Mixed crews - 60 active masters rowers. Some were very inexperienced LTR graduates. - The "club group." - The" performance group" men;' women. Everyone rows together for regional and local events. 09:15 Private Projects abandoned. Getting value from coaching was the main draw. Subscriptions increased to pay for the coach. Improved performance from a universal structure with coaching and training structure. 11:00 Coaching has broad goals regat

Join Monmouth Rowing Club's Tim Male as he talks about his season with the club and how they won the Victor Ludorum £1000 prize. Timestamps 02:00 Interview Tim Male 04:00 Monmouth Rowing Club - the town rowing club draws people from around 20 miles away to join. 05:30 The club had talented individuals but rowed in small groups. Focus on private projects. Fragmented. Big projects require co-ordination. 06:30 Changes Tim made to the Club culture to bring people together. - Rowing together - Mixed crews - 60 active masters rowers. Some were very inexperienced LTR graduates. - The "club group." - The" performance group" men;' women. Everyone rows together for regional and local events. 09:15 Private Projects abandoned. Getting value from coaching was the main draw. Subscriptions increased to pay for the coach. Improved performance from a universal structure with coaching and training structure. 11:00 Coaching has broad goals regatta dates, training in 4--5 week blocks. Each gets 2 coached sessions per w

- What to look for in a rowing boat, how to assess wear and tear and what can (and cannot) be repaired. Holes flagged out Hairline cracks on riggers Speak to Boatbuilder 01:30 What to look for in a rowing boat? Right size for your body weight is the number one consideration. Then check our podcast last week on buying a new boat - the same issues apply. What is your budget? 03:00 Height of deck relative to the water surface will show you whether a boat is the correct size for you. At the extremes of the weight ranges you should check carefully whether it will fit you. 04:30 Find the serial number of the boat you are interested in. When did serial numbers start getting added to rowing boats? Serial Numbers Post 1992 Barcelona Olympics it became standard practice based on FISA (World Rowing) boat standards. Call the boat builder what was the build weight? Year built? What hull shape was it designed for. History of the boat - how many owners has it had? 08:30 What questions to ask the vendor. - Major repairs

Exciting times - how to find the boat that's right for you. Top items to check from budget to accessories. PLUS bonus - how to test a boat on the water. Timestamps 01:15 Buying brand new - start with your rowing plans? What will you use it for? - Recreation - High performance shell - Racing or not racing - Your water - flat or rough open water? 03:00 Boat size for your weight. You should choose a range of weights to reflect your needs. A 15kg range is normal - from below and above your mid-point. The test is can you get the oars out at the finish while rowing square blades? Different boat builders have multiple hull shapes - mid weight and heavyweight hull shapes. 05:00 Your physical proportions Have you got a long or short back? 06:00 Price budget for your new boat. Things that cost more and add to the overall price - boat materials - - rigger choices (aluminium or carbon fibre) or reverse wing - shipping from overseas manufacturers 08:00 Accessories add cost. Here is a list of things which you can a

Selma is a rower and coach from Iran now based in USA. She's a multiple Asian medalist, experienced Junior coach (former national Iran rowing team Junior Head Coach). Soulmas uses Selma as a nickname. She is mentored by Paul Thompson (Rowing Australia). 01:00 A sporty childhood with her Father who was a wrestler. She competed for Iran in slalom kayak first and then later in rowing. 02:00 she had an accident on a class 3 race in Slovakia and injured her shoulder. She spent 5 years in the national team and then coached the women's team for 7 years. 03:30 What made you want to go to the Olympics? Iran has a talent recognition system for under 16 year olds. At 2000 Sydney Olympics she watched the broadcast. She was dazzled by the opening ceremony. "I wanted to be part of the glory." The suffering and pressure of sport is motivating. A string from my heart was connected to the Olympics She entered the Canoe Slalom competition in Poland. A third grade river is very tough. In 2008 watching the Olympic parade in B

Boats break, crews crash but it's not always terminal. What you can do to maintain rowing boats yourselves, keep costs low and how to find good rowing boat repairers. Timestamps 02:00 Rowing Boat damage - goal is to minimise. Causes of boat damage. - Handling the boat in/out of the boathouse. - Steering and not paying attention to where you're going - Colliding coming into a dock incorrectly - wear and tear on your boat requires replacement consumables - things wear out. 04:00 For things which slot together or touch, consider both parts. Wheels of seats, tracks / slides, wheels, oarlocks and oar sleeves/buttons. If one is worn also look to replace the other nearby parts e.g. tracks AND wheels; oarlocks and sleeves. 05:30 Notice what is wearing out. Keep an eye on them so you can decide when they need replacing. 06:00 Boat Maintenance Check boat before going out on the water. Put the boat on trestles. Quick scan for tightness of thumb screws. Also when wiping down the boat after rowing - did you notice a

18:30 Racing is happening - do you need to improve your steering before the big day? Join us Timestamps 01:30 Steering a buoyed course - there are hazards you must overcome. Kim Brennan's Rio Olympics final - she gets moved by wind and her oar goes over the buoy line. It could have cost her the gold medal. 04:15 Notice you are off course You have to be able to go straight off the start - practice not steering during the start. Know how to manage wind. Invent a way to practice this at your home waters. Practice lining up with other crews as well - part of the jeopardy of starts is you don't know what other crews will do. Is it you who are off course? Train your consciousness to notice - watch your stern and the wake ripples, watch the parallel lines of the buoys. Use your peripheral vision to judge your course. 07:00 Whose job is it to notice? Stroke is the person who can judge alignment best. 08:00 Steer gradually is usually best. If another crew is coming into my lane, Rebecca tries to hold her course. Th

Learn from each event you do so that you can personalise your pre-race preparation. Timestamps 01:00 Pre-race checklists - how to prepare before the regatta and how to improve through the season. Ritual of things to do to get ready for competition. One day before, get everything you need together. Add elements of structure by packing and folding your clothes. 03:00 Do repairs to equipment / adjustments before you leave home. At the regatta there are so many distractions and it's easy to make mistakes. Take enough food with you. Your normal food and additional snacks. At a new race course, know where the bathrooms are, where to get water, how long it will take to walk your boat to the boating dock. 05:00 Equipment checklist - car rack, boat, seat, riggers, oars, slings, electronics, bow marker numbers, tools, seat pad, spare fin / collar / oarlock, duct tape. Clothing for whatever weather you might get - row suit, tights, pants, wind shirt, sweatshirt, socks. Also have an extra bag of clothes if you might

Nobody wants to look like a lump clumbering around. So what's the best way to get into a single? And how can you adapt that if your mobility isn't what it once was? Timestamps 01:00 Single sculls - how to feel safe getting in and out. 02:45 The basic method demonstrated Nathan Benderson Park - How to: 3 ways to board a rowing scull https://www.facebook.com/watch/?extid=CL-UNK-UNK-UNK-IOS_GK0T-GK1C&mibextid=2Rb1fB&v=1168574316827619 Start with positioning the blades. Ensure the handles overlap or are touching so the ends butt up together. Hold the handles with both in one hand (the hand closest to the water). Create stability by putting upward pressure on the handles. Push the seat backwards on the slide so you have enough space to step onto the deck of the boat. Put your (closest to the water) foot onto the deck. Transfer your weight onto that foot and bring the other foot over from the dock to join it. Lower yourself onto the seat (keep pulling he handles up) 05:30 She makes useful remarks about how th

Pair oar boats are fun and a huge challenge. We discuss what you should do when trying a pair for the first time and what makes pairs go fast. Timestamps 03:00 set up the rig correctly - handle at the right position - release at the same place - oar handle height. Set up to the pin work through position so you are both the same. If you don't know what this is, ask us!. 05:00 You can adjust inboard/out- board to unique settings for this crew. 07:00 Who sits where? Stroke - needs to be regular and rhythmical. Strength of the rowers affects seating - bow has more leverage so weaker athlete can go here. Who steers? 09:00 Experiments are encouraged. 10:30 Fast pairs are good communicators Technique - hand heights on the recovery must match. Practice your hand heights and high balance. 12:30 Stability on the recovery. Find exact timings - arms, squaring, body rock etc. Sequence together. Use physical reference points to guide you. 15:00 Who feels things more? Body awareness is needed - control your weig

James will talk about the South African hosts of the World Masters Regatta. James will talk about the South African hosts of the World Masters Regatta 2023. He runs the venue services team for what may be the only African World Rowing Regatta for a while. 02:25 Roodeplaat Dam is 65 minutes from Johannesburg and 40 minutes from Pretoria. It's close to the OR Tambo airport. It's the venue for the national team. Shuttle busses will be available to take you there. 04:00 Boat rental Making it easy to come - End to end services - Travel Partners, Accommodation, Transport from the airport to your accommodation, Daily transport to the course and Boat rental. Glamping on site at the Roodeplaat. They expect 1000+ people staying on site from 2* to 5* accommodation options. Glamping price includes breakfast and dinner. 07:00 Saturday night party including "acts" and entertainment. It's a rowing bucket list for many people. 07:45 Boats from Filippi, Swift and Falcon internationally plus local clubs contributing to the l

Steering is hard to get perfect. Learn the key issues as we get ready for racing season. - positioning the foot - roles in the boat - how to steer and how much Timestamps 01:00 Who steers - bow or stroke? Considerations - bow for head races, stroke for a straight, buoyed lane course. 02:15 How to set up the foot position. Make sure the steering wire is set so you get equal steering to both sides. Set the shoe to the mid-point. Get a shoe with a snug fit. 04:00 Looking around - on a straight lane course, you don't look around. For head races - look round when you need to. On a head race depends on the course and how many bends it has and how well you know the river/lake. Know the places where boat positioning changes. Have a mental map of the course, or print out a map to take in the boat. Know the 'next thing' coming up on the map. Break the race down into segments. 08:00 Steering with your toe without over-steering. Know your equipment as boats differ. Check the wires attached to the T-bar over the rudder -

Going deep is a common technique issue, as is "corrugating" through the drive where the blade goes deeper and shallower. In this podcast Marlene and Rebecca discuss how to get a horizontal drive in the rowing and sculling stroke. Timestamps Horizontal Drive - what is a horizontal drive? 02:00 Why it matters? Stroke length is important for rowing and sculling. How long the blade stays in the water at one depth. If your depth varies you have a shorter stroke. 05:30 Coming over your knees the blade can go deep. Also on the placement if can go deep if you shoulder lift to place the oar. 07:30 Tape on the shaft at the correct depth is a useful visual marker. 09:00 check your rig FIRST. Oarlock height is key. In 1x at the finish check the handle height while stationary - your forearms should be parallel to the water. 13:00 Drills to stay horizontal. 1) One finger rowing drill - what it feels like to stay level on the drive. Draw through with only your middle finger on the handle. The water supports the

Things you wish you'd been told or learned earlier before teaching learn to row. You'll never stop learning because this is rowing - it's normal! Timestamps 03:00 Marlene's first learn to row class 1982 07:30 Use lifting a box to demonstrate the stroke sequence. 09:00 Port is on the right. Port wine is red, red is right (both start with R). 09:45 Tension - how comfortable are they on the water. 11:00 You won't get fit learning to row. It's mental and technical. Mental - relax enjoy the view. 13:00 Comfort in the boat drills -sit at the catch. Be aware of where your body weight is. Can you feel your feet, seat, and oars against the oar locks? 15:30 Let day one be about experiencing on the water. Demonstrate what a full stroke looks like. Get full strokes in. Be in the boat on day one not on the rowing machine 18:30 Have helpers. First impressions of rowing. Load up your staff for the first day and give attendees assurance and individual attention. 20:30 Don't try too hard. Let them row the way they wan

Should we row differently based on our strength or sex? Marlene and Rebecca discuss lower and upper body strength in relation to rowing technique. Timestamps 03:15 Differences between men and women in general. The standardised testing difference is about 15%. For a standing broad jump - can you jump your height? 05:30 Boat speed differences at international level is 10-12%. The assumption is that women tend to be weaker But your training affects this. Activating muscles and adding body weight to the handle improves boat speed. 07:00 stability versus mobility. A strong person can row harder because they have a strong heart/lungs engine. Women post menopause have tendon laxity causing instability in joints. Men generally need more mobility as they age. 11:00 Rowing technique basic principles of large to small muscles. A late body swing requires strength. Most of us now a less-segmented stroke. Hold the pressure on the blade in the water. Personal dimensions matter too. 14:00 New rowers are taught a