Session Six

In this session we are focusing on grip, handle heights and reinforcing good sequencing.

The 3 drills we will cover in session six are 'Ghost Rowing', 'Square Blades' and 'Pause Rowing'.

Ghost Rowing

This is a great drill for demonstrating the correct handle height throughout the stroke as well as demonstrating the need for a light grip.

The rower gets the boat moving at speed
At the catch, place the blades into the water as usual, but remove the hands from oars
Only lightly touching the handles to guide them, the rower then watches carefully as the blade finds its way through the rowing stroke
Repeat

Observe how the blade sits naturally at the correct position in the water throughout the stroke, without any pressure from the hands.

This demonstrates that should a rower be digging too deep throughout their normal stroke, this is because they are gripping far too hard.

Progress this drill by also removing the grip during the recovery and simply 'pushing' the blades away using the palms.

Square Blade Rowing

This exercise teaches the rower to extract the blades squarely (not feathering whilst still in the water) and teaches the correct blade height off the water. This is especially important in coastal rowing when we have waves to contend with! Ensuring that the arms and then the body are away first will make sure that the handle is past the knees before the knees break. This keeps the blades a sufficient height from the water to avoid catching a crab.

Keep the blades square throughout the stroke, do not feather
Extract the blades from the water cleanly, tapping down enough to keep the bottom of the blades off the water during the recovery sequence
When feathering is resumed, be sure to keep the blades at the same height from the water.

Pause Rowing

This drill ensures that all members of the crew are sequencing together and that the handle heights and positions are optimal for balance.

Start rowing and pause at arms away (or at other points in the recovery) with the blades balanced off the water.
The coxswain (or rower if in a coxless boat) then shouts 'Go' to resume the stroke.