What is an efficient rowing technique- “moving a boat”

by Kris Korzeniowski

Saratoga Springs, January 2013

Introduction• Rowing technique is still a major limiting factor in

performance of the boat.

• Even big athletes, even the best erg scores do not guarantee good results.

• The lightweight’s boats very often are faster than heavies.

• It means some athletes are better boat movers than the others and some are just “anchors”.

Example of very efficient technique.

• Aus 2- gold medal in Athens, James Tomkins and Drew Ginn, perfect technique, it cannot get any better.

• Observation and discussion

Observations• Unbelievable easiness of rowing due to a great

relaxation during the slide and drive.

• Easy run of the boat in relation to the water- “moving the boat”.

• The athletes are in perfect synch with the boat- no abrupt motions, it looks lazy and nonchalant.

• Quiet blade work, direct catch, not too deep, patience in pushing the boat.

• Rhythm, hesitation at the finish

Principles of “moving a boat”.

• A lot of relaxation during the recovery and drive.

• Catch as the most important part of the stroke, just bend the shaft

• Patient drive ,” no pulling”, “no jerking” just keep your shaft bend.

• Patient , quiet finish, slow feather !!!!!All motions are related to the speed of the boat.

Catch as the most important part of the stroke

• The catch is just to put the blade into the water

• Light, shallow, quick enough to bend the shaft

• No back splash just very light front splash.

How to train this catch ?

• A lot of “legs only” and “top ¼ slide”

• A lot of ¼ and ½ slide, taking a boat on the run

• Inside hand only , it forces to drop the blade

• Not too much “placement drill “

Lets train our eyes- what is a correct catch and a good run of the boat

Videos of : Nedw8 easy catch; Nedw8 accel. Ned4x, Gbr4-’04, Aus 2-.USAw8-’07, Junior w8Saratoga girlsAus 8+

Two the most popular rhythms

• “Hesitation at the finish”: Strong definition of the beginning and the end of the stroke: Easy way to row, good to uniform power in the water and good to develop uniform recovery.

• “Body over” as a definition of the beginning and end of the stroke, deliberate separation of hands, body and slide during recovery.

Which rhythm is better ?

• No clear answers

• Biomechanics disagree among themselves

• Coaches, mostly go with the strokeman of the boat.

• I suggest use the pause at the finish with all your novice boats !!!

Thank you

WATCH VIDEOS A LOT !!!!!!!!

Any questions, doubts please feel free to call or email to me : Cell # 609 915 6224 kriskorzeniowski@hotmail.com