What is the most important equipment thing you do before you launch your crew to race?

Here are their responses.

Notice any common themes?

Here is the list of those coaches:

• Ashleigh Genevich, Washington College
• Mike Hughes, United States Naval Academy
• Chris O’Brien, Philadelphia University
• Laura Ratz, University of Delaware
• Nicky Stimpson, United States Naval Academy
• Peter Wells, Williams College
• Dr. Gavin White, Temple University
• Steve Kish, Bucknell University

Classy group. Thanks coaches!

And what do you do? Let us know below . . .

The number one thing to do before you launch your crew to race. is a post from: Max Rigging

Recently I had a long discussion with them about oar blade shapes, and how best to rig them.

Although these notes are scribbled there is one note on the page that is absolutely of critical importance to anyone who rows.

Can you tell which one it is?

It’s in the box toward the bottom.

Yup, *test*.

Probably the most important thing I took away from that discussion. I know, you hear me say it all the time. Well they do also!

The Critical Note After Talking To C2 is a post from: Max Rigging

Hi, I purchased your book awhile back but can’t seem to find this piece of information:
I am rowing a mixed double with my girlfriend who is very small. (5’2″ 110lb coxswain) she is having trouble getting the rate up and I’m pretty sure its the loading on her oars. What do you think her loading should be? Mine is 86.5 inboard and 290 something length. Her last 2k was around an 8:30. Thanks for the help.

A) My Response: Hi Brett. I’m surprised that she (as a coxswain) is not blaming you for the issues!! (Ahem, just kidding. . . )

Per the rigging, I would suggest that if the oars are NOT adjustable that you give her about 1cm more of inboard and about the same on the span. If the oars ARE adjustable then I would shorten the oars about 1 cm, keeping the inboard the same. And then test. And test, and test.

The big thing here would be to test (did I mention that already?), and do changes slow and methodically.

Q) Rick wrote:

I’m a sculler, who’s always been told to set my foot stretchers so that when I sit straight up, the oar handles, if butted together would meet my sternum. It’s been explained that further back and you tend to pull through too much. Closer and you don’t have the room to clear at the finish. That’s worked fine, until I’ve started to work with my son, who is 6’7″. Trying to do that with my Hudson single… his shins hit the rigger. Am I using the right approach? If so… what am I missing?

A) My Response: Rick,  I would tend to think your son is over-compressing at the catch, and he might be doing it to compensate for not enough work through the pin. I would measure the distance from a plane cutting across the sternward stops of the track to a plane that goes through the pin. It should be “0” or  even less. Go to the numbers page to find out how to measure it and to see what the numbers should be. Measure away and then follow up and let us know what you’ve got.

Q) Jack wrote:

Hi Mike,  I have recently subscribed to your email newsletter. I row in New Zealand at a school called Christ’s College we finished last season on a high note coming second at the national’s regatta in the under 16 division (15 year olds) 8+. We finished with a time of 6:09.44.
I was wondering if you could help me out with a question thats been burning in my mind for quite some time now. How would our time (6:09.44) stack up against American crews of roughly the same age? I know that there are always variables involved, such as conditions, but I am just looking for a general idea. Could you please help me?

Welcome Jack, and great to hear of your success. To find out more about your time I’m going to suggest that you go to Rowing Illustrated and chime in on one of the forums there. Lot’s of smart people, with lots of opinions. They should be able to help you. Also, look up USRowing’s results for summer racing. More info there.

Can you help our readers with any suggestions?

Different Size Scullers, Times, and Catch Length in a Single is a post from: Max Rigging

Hi Mike – love your site and your book – one question I can’t seem to find the answer to… What is the “M” value of CII Fat Smoothie sweep oars? Look forward to the answer…

Mike is talking about the leverage formula that I use to keep track of the load of a specific rig. I discuss it in detail in several places, but basically here is the formula:

[(L-I)-B/M]/S

In the equation L= oar length, I= inboard, B= blade length, M is a variable, S is the spread, and B/M togther represent where the center of pressure is on the blade.

Two things of importance here:

1. Measurements are metric
2. Do not use this formula to compare between different blade shapes, just between oars with the same blade shape.

The M that reader Mike refers to helps find the approximate center of the oar. The number that I use is, for rectangle shaped oars (or close to it)  2 (for 1/2 the length of the blade), and 3 (for 1/3 for the length of the blade) for macons. I am not sure what I would use for something like a delta, I would have to measure it first, or talk to the maker.

In this case,  a for CII Fat Smoothie that is 52 centimeters long, the M would be 2.

There is debate as to whether this number, and in fact the formula, have value. I’ve found it to be helpful for me in keep track of things, although I strongly caution again anyone to use it to compare different blade shapes.

What do you use to keep track of your leverage/load?

Rigging, Leverage Formula and The “M” is a post from: Max Rigging

Hi. I’m a novice oarsman. I’ve been rowing for about a semester and a half now, and until a few days ago I’ve been rowing portside. However, due to new arrangements, I just started rowing starboard in the bow. In the bow, I realized that I’ve been catching quite a few crabs due to the boat not being set whenever I row.
Is it usual for the bow to feel that way? It seemed like I had to push up the oar handle everytime I bring myself up to the catch. And this caused me a lot of trouble. Any suggestions?

Ahh . . . life in the bow seat. It can be a paradise, or a paradox.

What I mean by this is that often it seems that technical issues, especially one’s related to balance seem to magnify themselves in the bow seat. Whether this actually happens or not does not matter as much as it appears that they do. Especially to the person sitting in that seat!

There may actually be technical rowing issues here (especially if you have been rowing only a few months). However, from a mechanical/rigging perspective (which this site is about) I suggest you do some, if not all, of the following steps:

1. Relate to your coach the issue you just described
2. Have the rigging of your rigger checked, specifically the height
3. Realize that balance is a major component of rowing, and something that rowers, and boats filled with rowers, often struggle with this (hmm . . . patience)

I hope these help some, and that you get to the finish line first.

Life in the Bow Seat is a post from: Max Rigging

Does Rigging Make a Difference? is a post from: Max Rigging

However long before comfort comes into play, heel cup height plays a signifcant role in how efficent a rower is.

This short video shows how to measure the height. A few simple steps and you have it.

To get an idea if your height is within a range good for you, check the numbers page. And from there do some fine tuning.

Find this post helpful? If so (or if not) please use the rating below to let me know.

How To Measure the Heel Cup Height in a Rowing Shell is a post from: Max Rigging

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?

16 Ways to Get Better at the Physics of Rowing is a post from: Max Rigging

In sculling span is a very critical measurement. It tells the distance between the port and starboard pins. This is an important dimension of determining the leverage of the boat (how heavy or light it will feel).

Many scullers just stop once they get their span measurement, but there is a need to go one step further. The distance of the pin from the centerline of the boat needs to be equal on both sides.

In other words:

Span is really not very helpful without also knowing the spread.

This short video will explain how to do both. It was requested by a reader (whose name I cannot find . . . sorry). Thanks greatly!

Have a different method, or got a question or comment? You can leave it below.

Row Slow . . . and get more out of life!

How To Measure the Span in a Rowing Shell is a post from: Max Rigging

I’ve written a two-part post about the mindset you might want to have as our economy struggles (Part 1 & Part 2). A few followup emails asked about specifics things that could be done—steps taken to keep a rower fast as the economy slows. Following are a few suggestions, and links to posts, you can do (and read) that just might help you keep things fast in a tough money time.

Suggestion #1: Know what you have

Knowing what you have is so much more important than knowing what you want. Have and want . . . two critical words when money is tight. Why? Because knowing what you have can make a big difference on getting what you want.

Last month I needed two coxbox microphones to replace two that had just broken at practice. We didn’t have any so I bought them from NK. I needed them in a hurry so I paid for the zip shipping.  Just last week I found exactly what I needed—two microphones—in a drawer in the boathouse. I spent money for shipping and my time to get something I needed, when I already had them.

This happens all the time. Have you done an inventory of what you have? Do you know what is kicking around in your boathouse? If you do, you just might save some money, some time, and be just a little bit faster.

• Three Ways Coaches Waste Money

Suggestion #2: Store things gently

Straightforward, I see so many programs with some great stuff that just don’t store it properly. They pay the price. Broken oars, lost seats, damaged riggers. Happens all of the time.

Now that the seasons are changing here in the northern hemisphere (half of our readers are in the southern hemisphere!) storage should be in the forefront of your thoughts about your equipment.

Storage is where most damage occurs. Bad storage means lost money and time. That means being slower.

• Ten Tips for Better Winter Storage

Suggestion #3: Plan your needs, maybe creatively
When money is tight, planning where every dollar, dime and cent goes is critical. Planning is not easy but sure is necessary if you want to keep things going. Here are a two posts that might help you with your planning:

• Planning Out A Rowing Trip

• Why Coaches Buy What They Buy (survey results)

Sit down with pencil or paper, or with a whiteboard, and begin the planning process. One book that might be helpful to be creative in your planning (and one I reread all the time) is The Back of the Napkin, by Dan Roam. A great read.

Suggestion #4: Keep what you have going strong

My family prides ourselves in keeping our cars going as long as possible. A car with 200,000 miles is just getting broken in. I feel the same about rowing equipment.

There are things you can do to extend a piece of equipment’s life. From training the athletes to be responsible, to keeping things clean and repaired, a long life should be expected.

• Six Steps To A Million Stroke Boat

• Last Almost Forever: 13 Steps to Help Your Rowing Equipment Last An Eternity!

You may also want to think about refurbishing a boat, instead of buying a new one. We have done this numerous times with great success. An eight-year old boat that has been refurbished can look, feel, and row like new. If you are interested in this, I suggest contacting Klinger Engineering. They have done wonderful work for us.

Suggestion #5: Prepare for the worse, hope for the best

I don’t know much about economics, but I have an inkling that this economy will be giving us fits for a while. So my mantra these days is hope for the best, but plan for the worse.

For our Spring training trip our original plans have been greatly altered and we have numerous options in place so if things continue in a bad direction we can shift our plans. We hope for Option A, but certainly have Option B, C, D and E on paper, and ready to go.

• Does Rowing Equipment Go Wrong At The Big Races?

• (Rowing) Pain At the Pump

Hopefully things will get better, but you can take steps now to keep staying fast. If you have suggestions on what you are doing, or considering, please let us know.

photo by ed Alfred Alfr

Keeping Your Rowing Fast When The Economy Slows is a post from: Max Rigging