16 Ways to Get Better at the Physics of Rowing

(This is scary stuff. Buckle your seat belt.)

Physics: the science of matter and motion.

(Told you it was going to be scary.)

If you were pressed hard you could divide rowing into two distinct spheres. The first would be the art of rowing. This “art sphere” deals with human factors such as motivation, team work, leadership, etc.—those human issues where there may not be a distinct right or wrong answer, but an answer nonetheless.

The second sphere would be the science part, specifically physics. Yes Physics. The same word that has freaked out an unlimited number of students and drove more of them to be English majors faster than the thought of Jane Austin could drive them away.

Over the past two weeks I’ve received several inquires about the physics of rowing, so I thought instead of addressing each separately I would post this. I spent years studying the physics of the ocean. When I started I remember thinking, “Wow, this will be cool!” And for the most part it was. Really cool. But there were so many dry, boring, difficult parts that physics about drove me nuts.

The main reason was that the way it was taught and explained. It was removed so much from reality and kept in the theoretical world that it was hard to really like it and see how it applied to more than just a few experiments and line drawings.

But since then a day has not gone by that I haven’t used some of my physics background in rowing. And if you row, or coach, or just work on the equipment, it is the same for you, whether you know it or not.

Physics plays a huge roll in rowing.

Disbelieve me? Read on.

Why should you care about the physics of rowing?

Physics is incredibly important in rowing. You may not know it, or you may not want to know it, but at the heart of what we do, and certainly at the heart of us trying to row faster, lies the science of physics. You have to look no further than simple daily rowing terms like:

• friction
• drag
• resistance
• buoyancy
• waves
• leverage
• erg (let’s not forget our favorite unit of measure of work)

to get an idea of what I mean. In so many aspects of rowing physics is critical. It makes us fast. It makes us slow. It keeps us afloat. It causes us pain. In all aspects of the physical sphere of rowing physics is the boss. Actually, more like the king.

So the question at hand would be if physics is so important in rowing then . . .

How do I get better at the physics of rowing?

Let me write two quick things here. First, you may already be really comfortable and knowledgeable in the realm of physics. Fantastic. However, most people are about as comfortable with physics as they are going to the dentist on root canal day.

Second, I am not trying to say that to be a good rower you need to have a strong grasp of physics. (In fact there are many an accomplished rower that have never had any training in physics). What I am saying though is that whether you know it or not, physics is king. And like driving your car, even if you don’t know much about automobile mechanics your car might last longer—and you might be a better driver—if you knew at least a little.

So how can you get better at physics, especially as it pertains to rowing? As you might expect, as few suggestions are to follow. Thirteen in fact.

Websites

One of the first places I suggest you turn to is the web. There are several websites that address the topic of physics and rowing directly, and do it well. I’ve written about them before, but they are worth another shout out. Here are four of my favorites:

1. Basic physics of rowing
2. Balance of a racing rowing boat
3. How rowing really works
4. The physics of crew

Forums

While on the web you might want to check out some of the forums that are currently active. Forums are a place to learn (from rowers of all sort) and a place to become part of the conversation, if you wish to. Here are three of my current favorites:

1. Talk Rowing
2. Rec.sport.rowing
3. Rowing Illustrated

The forum areas that have topics and post on equipment might be a good place to start. Just keep in mind that you might have to sign-in or register to participate in the forums.

Conferences

Conferences are an excellent interactive way to learn about many things rowing, especially physics. There is nothing like a successful coach who is a good speaker to bring home the importance of the little and big things. A few that are coming up soon (at least on the East Coast of the US) are:

1. USRowing Annual Convention
2. Joy of Sculling
3. Navy MaxPerformance Clinic

(FYI: As a matter of disclosure . . . I will be presenting at both the USRowing Convention in December and the MaxPerformance Clinic in January)

Books

Where would we be without books—especially in rowing? There are numerous worthwhile reads that pertain to rowing, and I won’t suggest that I have read them all. But three that I think might be helpful in terms of this subject are:

1. Rowing Faster (by Volker Nolte)
2. The Nuts & Bolts Guide to Rigging, Tenth Anniversary Edition (by, umm . . . me)
3. Modern Rowing (by Paul Wilson)

Make Physics Fun

A sure way to be more comfortable, and more effective, with the physics of rowing is to get in touch with the fun side of it. Yes, physics can be fun. Here are three resources that show the warmer and funnier side of physics:

1. Richard Feynman. A Noble Prize Laurete, the late Richard Feynman single-handedly was responsible for bringing so much of the boring side of physics to lay folks, in an insightful and humorous way. A great starting place is the book, Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! (Adventures of a Curious Character)
2. Bill Nye, the Science Guy. Hands down, my favorite TV show. Smart, thoughtful, and downright goofy. Although out of production the shows are often run in syndication. Videos of the shows are also sold at Amazon. This is a great book: Bill Nye The Science Guy’s Big Blast Of Science
3. Beakman’s World. A grown up show in kids clothing. Like Bill Nye’s show, Beakman’s World is all about physics in daily life. Good for kids, with lots of good adult humor. Here is a favorite: The Best of Beakman’s World

Sixteen ways to get more comfortable with physics, and how it plays into our world of rowing. Let me know what you think of them, and if any are helpful, or not.

And do you have any tips or insights you care to share about physics in rowing?