My Ten Favorite Rowing Tools For On The Water

Over the summer, I’ve been out of the coaching launch—watching the Olympics, conventions, and enjoying the slower life. Now it is time to get ready for the Fall season and that means getting my coaching gear ready.

As I begin that process the first things I go to grab are my favorite tools. Those items that make my life (and job) in the launch better—and more fun. I thought that it might be a good time to share some of those with you since I’ve been receiving a fair amount of tool-related questions lately.

Following are ten items I love to have in my launch. Before I get to them I wanted to let you know that this post contains a few affiliate links. (That means if you use the link to buy an item I earn a commission fee of a dollar or two from the sale.) Also, most of the items here you could take along with you in a shell if you are a sculler or coxswain, and aren’t in a coaching launch.

Favorite #1: I love my watch. A good watch can make all the difference in my practice. How, well . . .

• I can tell how long pieces are
• I measure rest time



• I know when to come in

I recently wrote a review about NK’s T1 Cadence. I love the watch. Sometimes I forget my strokewatch, but not my T1.

Favorite #2: The power of a megaphone. Way-back-when I used to coach with the old cheerleader type megaphone. It worked well, but as I aged and as the hearing ability of rowers decreased due to hours of iPod use, I fell in love with a powered megaphone.

My favorite is a POWER MEGAPHONE 25W with the detachable mic. There seems to be several versions, and I have had success with Radio Shack’s model, although I found the same make on Amazon for about $25 less. It is tough, doesn’t gobble batteries, works well in one hand, and doesn’t cost an arm/leg. In the past I’ve also bought an extended care plan because I’ve been know to break a few items in my time. If you buy online you might save a few dollars.

Favorite #3: Flip Video Mino camcorder. I’ve used video taping for years, but there have been two main drawbacks—I usually don’t have the camera really handy when I want/need it, and I’m afraid of getting the camera wet.

My solution, the Flip Video camera. It fits in my pocket—always handy. My version costs around $75.00—gets wet or falls in . . . oh well. I’ve been shooting all the videos for my blog with it. Love it. (Note a newer model has recently come out, with a 2x zoom, and the older model has been discontinued. I plan on doing a product review of the new model next month.)

Favorite #4: My favorite wrench. It is 7/16 x 1/2 inch box end wrench. It is offset (basically bent in the middle) which has saved me much knuckle skin. A good one doesn’t float (neither does a bad one) and is not cheap—around $9.00. But those drawbacks pale in comparison to how many times it really has come through for me. With that and my second favorite wrench most on-the-water-jobs can be handled with a smile.

Favorite #5: My second favorite wrench. My second favorite is an adjustable wrench. This wrench combined with the #1 favorite wrench helps me handle most on-the-water quick fixes. The trick to using an adjustable is to make sure that you have a good grip on the fastener to reduce slipping. Mine adjusts up to 3/4 inch which means it will fit almost all larger rigger fasteners.

Favorite #6: Duct Tape. What can I say, give me a big enough roll of duct tape and almost any problem can be solved. You can buy it anywhere, it loves abuse, and when you need it, roll it out.

Favorite #7: Hat. When I am outside I have to wear a hat. I love the soft-front baseball caps. I never go on the water without mine. It improves my vision, great in the rain, and helps me do a variety of coach cores such as:

• pick a name out of the hat
• swat horse flies
• cover my eyes when the races are too close to watch

Favorite #8: Sunglasses. I am positive that without my sunglasses I would have lost my eyesight by now. The reflection of the sun off the water can destroy eyes. Mine are polarized and made of shatterproof plastic. I also use a Croakie with them and that helps me keep the glasses around quite a while longer (my current pair is on three years and counting).

Favorite #9: Idea catcher. I write tons of stuff in my notebook. I love having it with me. I know that there are a wealth of discussion about which is the best. I like moleskine note book, but I’ve used almost every make and brand. I try to keep a pocket notebook and pen with me always—it is my idea catcher, but also helps me

• record practice data
• store rigging numbers
• sketch ideas

Favorite #10: My PFD. I don’t, repeat, don’t go on the water without one. I swim well, kayak,  have been a lifeguard, EMT, and a whitewater trip leader. None of those things make a bit of difference when you fall in—life quickly turns upside down. I always have my PFD on. It keeps me warm, improves how visible I am to others, and it floats me.

No lecture here—you do what you want, but me . . . always a PFD.

Bonus Favorite #11. Gum. A good piece of gum is worth its weight in gold. It keeps me busy, especially on race day. And I think my rowers enjoy it when I chew gum because they think I talk less. And there is something very personable about offering a friend, competitor, or even a stranger a piece of gum. Sugarless . . . of course. Eclipse rocks.

Those are my favorites. There are lots of others that I take on the water with me, which I will write about in this series.

How about you? Got a favorite you take? Let’ s us know about it.

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