Dealing with sun glare in hot conditions

[Rockin Roland]

Although the northern hemisphere is experiencing a big freeze at the moment spare a thought for us battling with the heat down under.

I was wondering how people cope with extreme sun glare in hot conditions especially during sunrise and sunset (when most of my rowing is done to beat the heat). I find when sculling, the combination of the sun shining directly into my eyes and the heat glare reflecting off the water, causes balance orientation problems in the boat. As soon as I turn a corner into the shade or pass under a bridge balance returns but once back into the glare the balance issues return. I sometimes row in the dark and have no balance issues. It's just the glare playing tricks with the balance receptor in the brain.

Now the problem is easily fixed for my crew rowing because I simply wear a hat and sunglasses in the four and eight. But when out in a single the hat and sunglasses obscure my vision.I've tried various styles of hats and sunglasses,all to no avail. I need to see out of the corner of my eye when negotiating all the turns, bridges and other crews on the river.

I also did any erg on slides outside in the hot sun the other day (too warm and stuffy inside). The PM4 monitor became really hot to touch and the readout started to fade and change colour and became difficult to read in the direct sun. But it still works afterwards once out of the hot sun.

[Bob S.]

Now the problem is easily fixed for my crew rowing because I simply wear a hat and sunglasses in the four and eight. But when out in a single the hat and sunglasses obscure my vision.I've tried various styles of hats and sunglasses,all to no avail. I need to see out of the corner of my eye when negotiating all the turns, bridges and other crews on the river.

I also did any erg on slides outside in the hot sun the other day (too warm and stuffy inside). The PM4 monitor became really hot to touch and the readout started to fade and change colour and became difficult to read in the direct sun. But it still works afterwards once out of the hot sun.

Some members have reported successful use of rearview mirrors for navigating in a single.

For the monitor problem, it should not be to hard to rig up a shade of some sort, possibly with cardboard and duct tape.

Just suggestions - nothing that I have tried myself.

Bob S.

[jrhahn]

I agree with the above suggestions as I use a mirror as well when I row my single. I usually just try to pick which direction I will be rowing so the sun is at my back and which side of the course will have more shade. Also a good pair of sunglasses might allow you to see better in variable conditions.

[Nosmo]

I sometimes row with my eyes closed do to sun. Obviously one has to open ones eyes fairly often, but if the sun is in one's eyes, one can turn around to check the course every five strokes or so and only open your eyes then--of course alternate side one looks to. Polarized sunglasses are much much better then ono-polarized.