Tag: rowing

Q&A Rowing

Question of the Day

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I totally died during my seat race today. I usually am awesome at them but today was my worst in a LONG time. But I’m not sure if it was just a bad day or if I have somehow been getting worse at them over the course of the season because I think I might be getting overconfident.

I wouldn’t disagree with you that your seat races might be suffering a little bit from your (over)confidence. Your rowing itself is probably good but where you might be suffering is in the mental game. Confidence is a good thing to have but when you start getting overconfident to the point where you think you can’t lose, you start taking situations for granted.

The thing with seat races is that once they’re over, they’re over. If the outcome isn’t what you wanted, yea you should be pissed but be pissed in a positive way that motivates you to go out the next time and do better. Figure out why you didn’t do as well as you’d hoped – was it something in your control or out of your control? Were you overconfident? Why? How was your rowing? What was your technique like? Were you mentally/physically prepared? If you think that you’re getting overconfident, figure out why and then … tone it down. Be honest and realistic with your expectations, forget about past results, don’t compare yourself to other people (and/or assume you’re better than them based on the boat you/they are in or past results), be open to constructive criticism, and be disciplined but not overly aggressive (with your actions or attitude) towards yourself or your teammates.

Q&A Rowing Teammates & Coaches

Question of the Day

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My coach always says she values experience, commitment and attitude. I’m one of the more experienced rowers on the team and I’m always trying my hardest to be positive and row my best. I’ve been spending most of the season in the third 8+ even though she’s told me before she thinks I’m really strong and a good rower. She’s put me in this boat for all of our major regattas and when I ask for an explanation, she doesn’t give me a straight answer. I know its supposed to be for pushing the lower boats and such, however, it’s really demoralizing for me because I feel like I’m never given a chance to show my full potential as a member of the team. I’d also really like to win, which my 8+ rarely does, whereas the first and second 8+ s are always taking gold and silver. What do you think I should do?

Hmm. I never really understood how putting a competent rower in a lower boat was supposed to “push” the other rowers but that’s just me. It’s definitely not something I’d ever do. I mean, there’s other reasons why I’d move a rower down but that particular reason isn’t one of them. Have you told her that you find it demoralizing to be put in lower boats when the feedback you’re getting indicates that you have the potential to be in a higher one?

I would try talking to her again and making it abundantly clear how you feel. It’s possible that she’s not giving you a straight answer because you’re not making it known in a clear enough way that this is bothering you. If you beat around the bush and don’t say exactly what you’re thinking/feeling, your coaches aren’t going to know why you’re asking. If they think you’re just asking because you’re pissed you’re in a boat that you deem “lesser” than your skills, they’ll write you off as being whiny. I doubt that’s the case here but it is a possibility. You never know until you ask. Have you asked or has she told you why she thinks having you in this boat pushes them? I know it’s not the most profound piece of advice I’ve ever given but I think the best thing you could do is sit down with her and talk about why you think you deserve at least a shot at the upper boats, what she thinks or had hoped your role in the 3rd 8+ should be, etc. Clear the air on both sides, if that makes sense. There’s probably a lot being lost in limbo right now because no one is asking the right questions.

Until then though and most especially since we’re creeping closer towards the end of the season, commit yourself to the 3rd 8+. The frustration you have for not being in the top boats should not be noticed, sensed, or felt by anyone in the boat you’re currently in because it’s not fair to them. Keep working hard and put all your energy into making the 3rd 8+ as fast as possible. Have a good attitude and try to find something positive about the experience. If you can think of something before you talk to your coach, tell her that – for example (this is completely hypothetical), being in the 3rd 8+ and doing all the technique work you did really helped you to focus on engaging the legs immediately at the catch and having a solid drive instead of disengaging them by shooting your tail and relying solely on your upper body. Epiphanies such as this sometimes cause coaches to reevaluate a rower’s position in the boat, so it’s worth a shot.

Q&A Rowing

Question of the Day

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Hi! So I have unfortunately not been able to get on the water and row for about a year due to family/medical issues. I can now luckily start again and get back on the water this summer in a non-competive program. I’m just really scared that I forgot what to do and I will be the worst one there. Is there any advice you have for getting back in the swing of things? Sorry for the stupid question, thanks!

This isn’t stupid! I’m actually glad you asked this because I felt the same way when I started coaching last spring and coxing over the summer. I was really worried that after spending such a long time away from the sport that I had forgotten everything I needed to know about rowing. I eased into it with coaching and it was almost like I’d never been away but I was more concerned with coxing because it’s not so much what you say or in my case, remember, but how you say it, your demeanor, etc. What if I didn’t have that “spirit” anymore? I was on pins and needles the whole time we were out and was driving myself nuts trying to think twenty three steps ahead but the first hard burst we did, my long-repressed inner coxswain came out and just like with coaching, it was like I’d never left.

Rowing is like riding a bike. Its the same repetitive motion over and over which makes it impossible to forget how to do. The first time you get on a bike after being off it for awhile might be a little wobbly but it only takes a minute or so before you’re back to impersonating Lance Armstrong. When you get back in the boat, it might look and feel a little rusty but don’t get frustrated by that. You already know it’s going to happen so just accept that and pre-commit yourself to making immediate changes as soon as you hear or feel that something isn’t right. You’ll know what changes need to be made too – that stuff is inherent.

Start visualizing the stroke when you’re just sitting around not doing anything … legs, back, arms, arms, back, legs. Swing into and out of the finish. Get all your body angle by bodies over. Unweight the hands at the catch. Grab the first inch, engage the legs, press. Legs and hands move together. Quick around the turn, get your hands to speed with the boat, and be patient on the recovery. Roll up early so you’re ready for the catch. Inside hand feathers, outside hand applies pressure. Support every stroke with your core. Chins and shoulder stay up, brains and eyes stay focused like a laser. Oh, and don’t forget – be confident. Attitude is everything.

College Q&A Recruiting Rowing

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Hi, I was just wondering when you would suggest talking to college coaches? Like, 6 months before you start college? A year? 2 years? I’m a bit lost! Thanks! 🙂

You should start looking at schools when you’re a junior, reaching out probably mid-year to the ones you’re interested in (start by filling out the recruiting questionnaires on the team’s website and follow up with an email introducing yourself), and then beginning to send them regular updates on your progress, race results, etc. starting that spring. Then over the summer if they’re interested in you they’ll reach out to set up an official visit for that fall.

For more on recruiting, check out the “recruiting” tag.

High School Q&A Rowing

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Hey there! I’m in a lightweight boat where the average is about 115-120 lbs and the girls are about 5’7, maybe even 5’6. Only thing is, I’m a little more than five pounds heavier than the others and a good 2-3″ taller. I feel like I’m weighing down the boat and there are other lightweights who could have my place. I never really feel worthy of the boat, I guess its reasonable to say. We all pull around the same times but I’m a tiny bit more technically sound, but they’re also smaller. Thoughts?

If you weren’t worthy of being in the boat you wouldn’t be there and those other lightweights would be in your place. You’re not weighing down the boat either. You weight what, 125lbs? You’re not weighing it down. Maybe if you tied a cinder block to your stomach and then switched to bow seat, yea, you’d be weighing the boat down, but at 125lbs … come on. Whatever/whoever made you think that is wrong. I can’t say it anymore plainly than that.

The fact that you are more technically sound is an advantage for you and probably part of the reason why you’re a member of this lineup. Because lightweight rowers weigh less, they have to be better technical rowers since they can’t rely on sheer strength to move the boat. Heavyweight rowers have a greater overall muscle mass, leading to an increased output of power, but since lightweights don’t have that they have to make up for what they lack in strength in other ways, which is why technique is so important to them.

I tell this to coxswains on an all-too-frequent basis but it absolutely applies to rowers as well: you have to be confident in yourself and your abilities. If you’re not your rowing will suffer. Row every stroke like it’s the most perfect stroke to have ever been rowed and assume it was perfect until someone tells you otherwise – and trust me, they will tell you. Don’t compare yourself to the other rowers either. All it does is mess with your head and take your focus off of rowing.

College Q&A Rowing

Question of the Day

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Hi there, I’m a rower from New Zealand and I am considering going to Uni in the states. I was wondering if you could help me out on what type of rowing scholarships there were and what the benchmark erg times are? And how to go about applying for one? Thanks 🙂

You don’t apply for athletic scholarships, they’re offered to you if the coach feels you’re worth it. If you don’t get one your freshman year don’t worry though because you can still get them your other three years.

I’m assuming you’re a girl since you’re asking about scholarships so here’s what I’ve previously written about erg times as far as recruiting goes: lightweight and open/heavyweight.

Here’s a few more posts that might help you out too.

What questions to ask coaches during the recruiting process

What NOT to ask coaches during the recruiting process

Waiting for responses from coaches

Getting the attention of coaches

Making a beRecruited account

Also check out the “recruiting” and “contacting coaches” tags.

Coxing Q&A Rowing Technique

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One of my rowers get so much layback she looks as if she’s about to completely lay down! It’s affecting her timing with stroke seat, what would you suggest?

Tell her to stop. I know that’s the blunt and obvious answer but it really is what I say to rowers who layback like that. When they keep doing it after I’ve told them to stop I start telling them about all the ways they’re screwing up their low back (and abs, to an extent) and eventually that’s what gets them to quit. Have you talked with her outside the boat regarding her timing issues? Does she know that her timing isn’t with the rest of the boat’s? I’d tell her off the water and explain to her how her layback is playing a large part in that and ask her to work on it the next time you go out.

Her layback isn’t going to be something you’ll be able to see but you will be able to see what her timing is like. After practice talk with your coach and ask him how it looked today. Keep reminding her of both the timing and the layback. Say something to her about timing only when you notice it’s an issue but throw in a few “Jenny, sit up tall, support the stroke with the core…” calls just as a general reminder to her. This will get her thinking about it for a stroke or two and she’ll either remember to not layback too far or realize she is laying back too far and fix it by sitting up taller and only going back as far as she needs to.

Coxing Q&A Racing Rowing

Question of the Day

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I’m a coxswain but since I’m the only available freshman they’re having me row this Sunday. I’m replacing a girl who’s going to a family party. Anyway, I feel like I can’t push as hard and I’m letting the rowers down! I’m so stressed out that I’ll catch a crab or something!

Whether anyone has told you this or not, no one expects you to go out and pull as hard as the girl you’re switching in for. What they do expect is for you to go out, try your best, and row as hard as you can. You know what to do since you’ve been telling the rowers how to do it while you’re coxing…now’s your chance to do it yourself. Use it as a learning experience. Even though you’re going to be focused on the rowing, take mental notes on your rowing – what seems harder than you expected, what is your technique like, etc. and then remember all of that the next time you go on the water and cox. Use what you learned to help you cox the girls in your boat.

Don’t worry about catching a crab. If it happens, whatever, it’s not the end of the world. Recover as quickly as possible and get right back into it. Watch your timing, make sure the blade is completely square at the catch and finish, and only bury the oar as deep as you need to in order to cover the blade. Don’t stress out either! That takes all the fun out of racing.

Racing Rowing Teammates & Coaches Training & Nutrition

Blood in the Water

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I don’t know when or how I stumbled on this article but it’s a great one. It was published in 1999 and briefly chronicles the selection process of Mike Teti’s heavyweight 8+ for the ’99 world championships and the 2000 Olympic team.

As the thin fog lifts over the pine trees and off the lake, Teti begins today’s practice session with his version of a pep talk. “For the past two weeks, I’ve been really flexible with your work hours,” he announces, his voice scratchy from weeks of shouting through a bullhorn. His face is tan and windburned from 18 years of flying up and down narrow channels of water with a clock in his hand. “I’ve been really flexible with your relationships. I have been really flexible with your academics. Well, I’m through being flexible. I’m going to the World Championships to win. Anyone who requires maintenance, you are not welcome here. I will provide the coaching, the equipment, and the expertise to those who want to go to the Olympic Games and win a fucking gold medal. Anything that gets in the way of that, I’m gonna run it the fuck over. Some of you guys are severely on the bubble, and most of you here will not make the Olympic Team.”

And this one…

“I don’t have all fucking day!” Teti screams. “Line up.”

And this one…

Teti never simply shouts, “Pull!” He yells things such as, “Pull like you’re the biggest, baddest motherfucker in a bar, and everybody in the bar knows it!”

Coxswains, remember that one – you never know when it might come in handy.

Navigating the Charles River (Boston, MA)

Coxing

Navigating the Charles River (Boston, MA)

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Below are a few maps that I found very helpful when I first started coaching on the Charles last spring. If you’re racing here in the spring, are around in the fall for HOCR, or just starting rowing here, check them out and familiarize yourself with the bridge arches, which ones you can use, which ones you can’t, etc.

Related: (Head of the Charles) Getting to the starting line || Steering through the bridges || Landmarks along the course || Steering around the turns || Race plans || My general race plan

CHARLES RIVER TRAFFIC PATTERNS (You can download a copy of the map in PDF form here.)

CHARLES RIVER BASIN 2K COURSE (You can download a copy of the map in PDF form here.)
Pay particular attention to the arches that are available to use on the Mass Ave. bridge – you’ll see there are upstream lanes on the far right Cambridge side and on the far left Boston side (the Union lanes). The Union upstream lanes are typically only used when the basin is horrific because of wind or there are races happening.

In terms of the 2k course, note where the starting line, finish line, and each 500m marker is. To see them more closely, download the PDF and zoom in. The starting line is at the end of the Memorial Drive ramp just off the Longfellow Bridge, 500m is just before the MIT sailing center, Mass Ave. is 1000m, MIT’s boathouse is 1500m, and the finish line is right before the Hyatt Regency Hotel. There’s a white pole in the ground on shore that marks the finish line and obviously, there will also be a race official with a flag to let you know when you’ve crossed. At the end of the course and across from BU are some large neon markers that give you your points to aim for.

In addition to all of that you’ll see the small blue arrows in the water that denote the traffic pattern on race days (and most other days too). Pay close attention to those and make sure you follow them.

To read up on how to navigate the river during HOCR, check out the posts linked at the top of the post and follow the “Head of the Charles” tag to stay up to date on all future HOCR posts.

Image via // @dosdesignsltd