4 Sure Fire Ways To Kill A Power Megaphone, And How To Make Sure They Don’t Happen To You

One thing I am really good at, I mean really really good at, is breaking power megaphones.

Heck, I don’t break them—I kill them.

And I suspect a bunch of you do also.

In this 5 minute video post, I discuss the top four ways I kill megaphones, and steps we’ve taken to reduce the deaths.

What about you? Have a good megaphone story you would like to share in the comment section below?

[I've been asked what megaphones we use, and we typical use Radio Shack's 25 watt model. However, we have had a hard time getting those of late. Here is a similar model from Amazon, that seems to be the exact same make. 25 Watt Piezo Dynamic Megaphone with Detachable Coil Cord Mic (This is an affiliate link.)]

Product Review: SpeedCoach™ XL3

This week I had the opportunity to demo a SpeedCoach™ XL3, from Nielsen-Kellerman.

Although not a new product (the SpeedCoach™ having been around for several years) this was my first time to really get an XL into my hands and do some testing. The XL is basically a SpeedCoach™ on steroids that allows you to read the display of a coxswain’s SpeedCoach™. The XL allows a unit in a shell to wirelessly connect with a unit in a coach’s launch, giving real time performance data.

What I Like

I have to state right up front, I really liked this product (And NO, there are no affiliate links in this review). I liked the feel of it, the display, and the data I can get from it. It has a nice carrying case, seems very durable. It has a workable distance of about 1000 meters when you have a clear line of site to the other unit (you need two units, one in the launch, one in the shell). If you are already using a SpeedCoach™ your current wiring will work with the XL.

I really liked the ability it gave me to do something that I have not been able to do well so far, and that is—to know what is going on (with the speeds) exactly when it is going on. In essence, real-time crew performance. And using the software allows you to dissect the information many different ways.

The video below gives more details about what I liked, but suffice it to say that that one thing, to know the speeds immediately in the launch (and you can read up to 8 boats) is a fantastic advantage when trying to get boats to go fast.

What I Didn’t Like

There were a few things about the SpeedCoach™ XL3 that could be improved. First, the connection to a computer is a rather dated. You have to purchase a separate harness to connect (about $70.00) and it includes a serial to USB connector. Serial ports have not been used for a while so this step is a little cumbersome.

Second, although I do like the feel, the antenna seems to be a risk of being damaged (especially with a rower’s coordination). The antenna can be removed quickly, and is not intrusive when attached, but I still worried about it being damaged.

Third, Mac software please. It is possible to convert to Mac from the Windows software, but that is a hassle. The software in the Windows version did work fine and was not a hardship to use. Hopefully in the future there will be a Mac version.

MaxRigging Buying Advice

If you are searching for the Holy Grail of speed, then this product may well be something that you want to start using. But just be aware that the price is not cheap. You will have to purchase two units, one for the shell and one for the launch. At $499.00 each that is steep. Yet, if you plan on using it extensively the price per practice goes way down. I guess my best statement about this product is after we return the demo unit, I will be buying one as soon as we have the funds. You might want to consider it also.

The number one thing to do before you launch your crew to race.

I recently had the chance to ask several cool rowing coaches this question:

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 . . .

Putting Names on a Rowing Shell [video]

Throughout history the names on boats have been an important part of who we are. You don’t have to look much past the Titanic, the Exxon Valdez, and the Mayflower for examples.

And the same goes for our sport of rowing . . . the names on shells are important. Sometimes very important.

Just how do you get a name on a boat? Glad you asked.

This video details one method. There are others ways to put names on a shell (painting, tape) but vinyl lettering is one of the easier and longer lasting methods.

The quality of the video isn’t quite up to snuff (had a camera software issue), but hopefully I get a few of the critical steps across.

Let me know what you think, and if this was helpful, in the comments below.

Rosenberg Talks Coaching

As I went through some of my files this weekend, I found this recording of renowned coach Allen Rosenberg.

Allen is responding to my pesterings about coaching, and how to be better at it. Apologies for the terrible sound, but if you can make your way through the Boy George in the background there are some true nuggets, both about coaching, and rowing.

And here is a video (silent) of Allen’s 1974 World Champion crew, training in Conn. for the Worlds.

A free Special Report of your choice goes to the first reader who can identify the US boat maker in the boat. (Just leave your response in the comments below.)

The Wrenches of Rowing

Our sport counts on equipment, lots of it. And to get that equipment to do what you want it to do, you need tools.

In this video I discuss some of the more commonly used wrenches to adjust the rowing equipment.

Do you use other wrenches? If so, tell us what you use.

Review: USRowing’s Coaching Videos

Pat wrote to ask this question:

“Mike, Do you know of a book that holds all of the skills and drills necessary for coaching?”

Pat desires to get better at rowing drills (which is great) but he may be asking a little too much—I don’t know of any resource that holds ALL the drills. Each resource is biased by whoever produces it and he or she will usually include only their favorite ones.

So although I don’t know of a definitive resource there are certainly several good resources available.

At the most recent USRowing Convention in Atlantic City I purchased the entire set of DVDs offered by USRowing. (In the flavor of disclaimer I had nothing to do with the production of these videos although I do work with USRowing, and I don’t receive any affiliate fees from them). This is one resource that I recommended to Pat and thought you might like to know about them also.

There are several titles in the series, here are a few of my favorites:

• Coached Drills
• Sculling Fundamentals
• Introduction to Rigging
• Coached Drills II
• Trailering I
• Safety DVD 2007
• Sweep Technique, The Art of Moving the Boat
• Coached Drills III, Starts & Sprints

(The titles are self explanatory.)

The Good Stuff

There are three great things about these disks.

1. They hold some stellar information, and most use several current coaches to discuss and show how their drills work.
2. The director, Willie Black, puts his heart and soul into these.
3. Most cost only . . . drum roll please . . . $20.00 each.

I found the info in these disks to be simply presented, with discussion and presentation of the drills in action. The Coached Drills disk was especially helpful and I saw a few drills that were new to me. A good teaching component of the drill disks is to show athletes the drill on the disk first, before they attempt it, to help them learn it correctly.

What Could Be Better

Most of these disks are CDs not DVDs, so they hold less information than you would normally get with a regular DVD.  That means you won’t see a lot of flash and fancy effects yet the message is still there. I would have also liked more detail in some drills, possibly more in-depth discussion.

Overall

I’ve found these DVDs a great resource and highly recommend them to beginner to intermediate coaches/coxswain/rowers. My money was well spent.

So What Action Should You Take?

Do an assessment of your rowing or coaching, in terms of an area that you would like to improve. Then check the list of USRowing DVDs and see if there is one that might help.

Additionally, if you have a resource of drills please leave a comment and share it with us.

Electronic Pitch Meter (Nielsen Kellerman): Product Review

Looking to get the pitch of your rigger correct? Then you need to have a pitch meter. Pure and simple.

There are several selections of meters on the market, ranging from the basic to the technical. The new Electronic Pitch Meter by NK (Nielsen Kellerman) is somewhere in the middle. The following text and video is a review of the meter.

What I Like

There are several things about the meter I like. It fits in your pocket with no sharp ends that can really get your attention. It is lightweight. Seems durable. And it can be used to measure more than just a rigger’s pitch. For example, it does a great job reading the angle of a footstretcher.

I especially like the “hold” button which allows you to find the pitch and then “hold” the measurement so that you can read the screen at your convenience. This is especially handy when it might too dark or too sunny to read the display.

The buttons are easy to press, and the meter fits right in the palm of your hand. I also like the accuracy and precision of the meter, and having readings in tenths of a degree is a plus.

What I Didn’t Like

There was little that I did not like about this meter, but a few items that I want to note. First, rowing is a water sport and often electronics and water do not blend well. Although I have not had an issue with this yet, I would be very hesitant to take the meter in a launch or use it outside on a rainy day.

Second, I am pretty tough on tools, as I would guess most coaches/Riggers are. Although the meter has been durable so far, I am not sure how it will handle life in a tool box, or a drop from a shell onto concrete. It does comes with a small case that offers a little protection. In all, something to consider.

MaxRigging Buying Advice

If you are looking to take your rigging to a new level then this would be a tool to consider. It does offer some convenience and accuracy that older manual meters do not. The compactness is also a nice benefit. However if you are just starting out in rigging or are on a tight budget you may want to consider a simple mechanical meter first.

• Electronic Pitch Meter
• Nielsen Kellerman
• Rating: 4.5/5
• Price: $85.00 US

How To Measure the Heel Cup Height in a Rowing Shell

Heel cup height is one of those measurements that rowers tend not to think about unless they are uncomfortable—usually when they feel that they cannot get good compression at the catch.

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 Span in a Rowing Shell

Scullers . . . this one is for you!

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!

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