Bumps Race

I don't know if I'll ever fully understand the bumps races in Great Britain.



Video courtesy of Row2k

Royal Henley Regatta - M8+

Pay attention to the puddle clearance between bow and stern.

There isn't too much rowing in this video, but there are a lot of interesting messages. One can really pick up on the training psyche of this Canadian National team.

Around 1:30 into the video, look at the sharpness of the catches. Very impressive.

Holland 8 Training - Reprise

This video of the dutch 8 practicing before the olympics, at which they won the gold, exemplifies many of the technical elements we have been practicing lately: body angles, leg drives, acceleration, and quicker catches.

0:00-1:00 - Body angle at the finish

1:00-2:00 - Catching the blade before driving the legs.

*Notice when the camera is in close on the rowers you can see the blade of the rower in front entering the water before the rower in view is driving. The blade enters the water first.

2:00-3:00 - Emphasis and acceleration on the leg drive - not the finish.

3:00-4:00 - Rating comes up slightly and catches aggresive.

4:00-5:00 - Speed of the oar in the water.



Courtesy of YouTube and Row2k

Quick Blades in the Water

Don't get caught up in the race and the commentary. Instead, focus solely on the catches of all the crews.

Germany, in the nearest lane has some outstanding entries at the catch. Look at how quickly the blades go into the water, every blade submerged to the proper depth.

On the closeups, pay attention to the arms and hands of each rower. They are actively raising their hands to ensure a secure catch and connected drive. Furthermore, they are raising their hands as they are coming up the slide at the end of the recovery.



Courtesy of Row2k

2009 Oxford Cambridge Boat Race

Precisions on the Leg Drive

Here's a brief video of the Australian Men's Eight 2 months before the Olympics. Watch carefully at the speed of their leg drives and that that is where most of the pressure is being applied.



Courtesy of YouTube

Precision Rowing

It is time for the Niskayuna Varsity Boy's team to move beyond the idea of "timing" and more towards that of "precision."

Timing, for all intents and purposes, limits most rowers to two points in the stroke: catch and finish, the beginning and the end. But the catch and finish, though important, account for only a very brief part of the stroke cycle - mere hundredths of a second. Unfortunately, so much else that happens in between, including drive speed, body swing, arms away, and breathing, is often lost to this focus on just the catch and finish.

Precision, on the other hand, is what most coaches mean when they talk about timing. Precision is timing, synchronicity, body angles, and power all wrapped up into one. Precisions is:

• driving the legs down together from the catch;
• waiting to open your body with the rest of the boat;
• swinging at the same time;
• matching your body angles at the finish;
• pushing the arms away at the same speed;
• leading the recovery with your body; and
• controlling your legs up the recovery;
• balancing your reach over the rigger;
• inhaling just before taking the catch; and
• exhaling right at the finish with your crew;
• applying consistent pressure every stroke; and
• accelerating as one boat; and, of course
• getting the blade in and out of the water together.

Below is a good example from the US Marine Corps of precision.

Courtesy of YouTube and not an endorsement of the US Marine Corps

Narration of 1996 Olympic Victory

Xeno Muller shares his thoughts and gold medal strategy during this 1996 olympic 1x race.



Courtesy of YouTube

Hand Heights and Drive Speed

Enjoy the following video of the Men's 8 from the 2000 Olympics. Pay particular attention to how all the crews raise their hands at the catch and to their quick, efficient drive speed. This may help you with your visualization.



Courtesy of YouTube and Row2k

Lightweight World Record 2k

The following video from the 2008 CRASH B Championships is very short. It features the middle-section of a world record 2k by lightweight Danish rower Henrik Stephansen. He finished with a time of 6:02.2 ( 1:30.5 split).



Courtesy of YouTube