Help! How to correct my leaning to starboard??

[hanlansculler]

Hi all,

This is my first full season rowing. I rowed a little bit last season and did a learn to row late in the season the previous year.

I seem to have a new bad habit of leaning to starboard. When I'm in a boat, it will lean heavily on port because of my lean. I am pretty good at posture and generally my back is straight, but I still lean significantly to the left. It is particularly bad on the recovery. Perhaps it happens because I'm a leftie? I know other leftie rowers and they are fine.

I am having trouble fixing the problem and hope that it can be fixed! I'd like to get to the master's level when my technique is good enough and maybe one day row competitively.

Tonight someone asked if I have seen a physio for this. Is that necessary? Or maybe I just need to put more pressure on my right glute in the seat?

Any suggestions on what I can do inside and off the water would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[Bob S.]

Hi all,

This is my first full season rowing. I rowed a little bit last season and did a learn to row late in the season the previous year.

I seem to have a new bad habit of leaning to starboard. When I'm in a boat, it will lean heavily on port because of my lean. I am pretty good at posture and generally my back is straight, but I still lean significantly to the left. It is particularly bad on the recovery. Perhaps it happens because I'm a leftie? I know other leftie rowers and they are fine.

I am having trouble fixing the problem and hope that it can be fixed! I'd like to get to the master's level when my technique is good enough and maybe one day row competitively.

Tonight someone asked if I have seen a physio for this. Is that necessary? Or maybe I just need to put more pressure on my right glute in the seat?

Any suggestions on what I can do inside and off the water would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Are you sweep rowing or sculling?

Also, I am a bit confused here. If you are leaning to your left, it would make the boat lean to starboard - unless you are the coxswain.

Bob S.

[Byron Drachman]

I am assuming you have checked the offset of the oarlocks. Usually the starboard oarlock is about 1/2 inch or so higher than the portside oarlock so you can have your right hand tucked under your left hand and also slightly ahead or behind (your choice) the other at the crossover and keep the boat level. You can also attach a small, cheap level and watch the bubble.

I think you are on your way to solving the problem. I am familiar with this problem because I tend to lean to starboard and it is a constant battle.

What helps in my case:

Keep the hands as close together as possible, and at the catch and finish where they are separated keep them as close to the same height as possible. It is easy to get in the habit of having the right hand drop too low going into the finish. It is a common problem.

Just as important, if not more: Concentrate on keeping over the center of the boat. Feel the weight on the seat and footstretcher and keep the weight evenly distributed. This is easier said than done. If you are leaning toward starboard you probably have more weight on the port side of the seat trying to compensate hence the boat will tilt to portside. At least that is what happens to me.

Summary: besides paying attention to hand height, most balancing is done by the seat of the pants.

Dang, there is always something to work on.

[hanlansculler]

Bob -- Sorry for the confusion. I'm sculling, not sweeping. That's what's so frustrating. Perhaps I'm also doing something wrong with my right hand or someone else is doing something wrong, but I'm definitely leaning to starboard.

[hanlansculler]

Byron -- Thanks for those suggestions. Yes, I've found that keeping my weight centered is a huge challenge. (This is coming from someone who is still working at doing the pelvic tilt properly!)

I wouldn't have thought that leaning to starboard might mean I'm putting more weight on my portside. I would have thought that meant less weight on my portside, and more on my starboard side. But that is interesting -- something I need to experiment with.

[Ante]

Dear starboard,

I'd like to add a tip to Byrons sound advice: don't rush the recovery, but compartimentalize (is this a verb? but you understand what I mean, right?).
Really stretch out both arms befóre leaning forward with your torso and keep them straight till the end of the recovery and the catch, until it's time to pull your handles toward your stomach. Try looking at your elbows to check if they're really straight! You'll be surprised...
Meanwhile do not let your abdominal or leg muscles go slack, but keep them just a little tensed. That way you'll be able to move really straight through the boat.

Good luck!

[Rockin Roland]

Hi all,



Tonight someone asked if I have seen a physio for this. Is that necessary? Or maybe I just need to put more pressure on my right glute in the seat?

That's part of your problem. Your worried about equal pressure on your butt when in actual fact you should be concentrating on equal pressure on your feet. It's vital for boat balance and also for a straight drive during the stroke. Row with your feet, not your butt.

[mshaffer]

I taught myself to scull last summer and I had the same problem for a while. It was VERY VERY FRUSTRATING. I just couldn't figure out what the hell was going on. There were two things I figured out. First, one of our clubs shells seemed damaged and would always lean a little bit even if I adjusted the spacers on the oar locks. I never use that one now. Second, I had someone watch me row and they gave me the best advice ever. They said to focus on FEELING the water, not to try pulling hard.That made a huge difference, now I just let my arms kind of be relaxed and act as the suspension between me and the water. Another piece of advice, I always make sure to erg somewhat during the week because it really improves my coordination/rhythm in the boat.