Must-try for all rowers!!!!!

[scullergirl14]

Hi guys!!!!!

My rowing program has added a new feature that I think EVERYONE needs to try!

Please comment, how many of you have ever rowed an octet?? (sculling eight)

Now I will tell you why YOUR club needs an octet. They are simply fabulous training boats. It teaches all rowers to be perfectly in sync, with quick hands away and tap down around the finish, as well as they must have a solid ratio and quick catches in together for the boat to move efficiently. The same goes with any other boat, but when there are sixteen oars, it really emphasizes the need to have good technique because it is moving so fast. It ALSO teaches rowers the "tap it along" feeling because rowers need to stay light but strong to get maximum boat speed.

AND BOAT SPEED IS THE BEST PART!!! When you have eight experienced rowers that all come together in an octet, it is the best feeling; I promise you!!
Because it is so stable as well, it makes a perfect boat to teach novices how to scull. Novices will learn better timing right away if they start out in an octet.

I encourage EVERYONE from EVERY club, to turn one of their old eights into an octet! (JUST CHANGE THE RIGGERS!!) You won't be sorry

If we get more octets here in Canada and in the U.S, we might start to see more octet entries in head races which would be AMAZING!!!!!!!!! Please try it

Reply if you have any questions about the octet. It has improved me so much as a rower I just needed to share.

[Bob S.]

Wrong sub-forum. It belongs in the On the Water section.

[Citroen]

Moved to OTW.

[jamesg]

it really emphasizes the need to have good technique because it is moving so fast.

Us scullers have the whole range, from 1x tubs to the 8x.

Perhaps sweep could be abolished and all the medals reorganized by having Medium weights at 75-90 kg limits, with 1 k sprints as well as 2 k. There's hope yet in the rowing world.

[Bob S.]

The current ultimate is the Stampfli Express 24x+. Fantastic to watch. I have not seen it in person, but there are a lot of videos of it available on line. Here is a good one that a shows a speeded up scene of the assembly of the boat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzowEp9th_k

An x+ is unusual, but no doubt it is essential to have a cox in this one for better control that the lonely bow seat would have. A friend of mine had the opportunity to row in it when it was on its world tour. She said that it was an amazing experience.

[jackarabit]

Cox'n should have bow and stern thrusters on that Stampfli

[bisqeet]

hmm - i'm not a keen octeter.
-I did it once this year in a 14km race as part of a mixed (fun) masters team -oldest was 78, youngest 47.

it seems very easy to hit dead water (not sure what the correct wording / nomen clature is - maybe one of the english native OTW-ers can help).
- sort of your trying to scull in water thats already being accelerated from the person in fronts previous drive (boat direction). Result is a sluggish boat and dull feeling.

[Bob S.]

hmm - i'm not a keen octeter.
-I did it once this year in a 14km race as part of a mixed (fun) masters team -oldest was 78, youngest 47.

it seems very easy to hit dead water (not sure what the correct wording / nomen clature is - maybe one of the english native OTW-ers can help).
- sort of your trying to scull in water thats already being accelerated from the person in fronts previous drive (boat direction). Result is a sluggish boat and dull feeling.

That should be a problem for the stroke seat only, unless the boat is just getting underway or the stroke rate is so high that the run is shortened. It must be a problem in the 24 - in that case the stern 14 or more would constantly be rowing in the puddles. My friend did not mention anything about it, but I don't know what seat she rowed.

Bob S.

[bisqeet]

hmm - i'm not a keen octeter.
-I did it once this year in a 14km race as part of a mixed (fun) masters team -oldest was 78, youngest 47.

it seems very easy to hit dead water (not sure what the correct wording / nomen clature is - maybe one of the english native OTW-ers can help).
- sort of your trying to scull in water thats already being accelerated from the person in fronts previous drive (boat direction). Result is a sluggish boat and dull feeling.

That should be a problem for the stroke seat only, unless the boat is just getting underway or the stroke rate is so high that the run is shortened. It must be a problem in the 24 - in that case the stern 14 or more would constantly be rowing in the puddles. My friend did not mention anything about it, but I don't know what seat she rowed.

Bob S.

yes - the stroke was the main problem. dropping down from ramming speed rating to a more pleasurable stroll in the sun worked. still came 51 from 80 tho :/

it was an 8x+ D-Gig (borrowed) mixed (4Male/4 Female)
great fun - would do it again (first time in an 8 albeit an 8x)

[lwtguy]

The current ultimate is the Stampfli Express 24x+. Fantastic to watch. I have not seen it in person, but there are a lot of videos of it available on line. Here is a good one that a shows a speeded up scene of the assembly of the boat.

I've seen that thing twice. It seemed to follow me everywhere! It pretty much just gets in everyone's way and takes several minutes to turn. They were looking for volunteers to row it too but I decided to pass...

[sander]

I thought it was called an Octuple.

Yeah we have one at our club and it is rowed occasionally.