The Relevance of Weight

[The_Bow_Seat_Bandit]

Hi there,
This is my first time posting so I apologize in advance for any unorthodox formatting or missing info.

I am a new men novice rower (just turned 14yrs old) and I was wondering about the implications regarding weight when rowing. I am on the smaller side weighing in at 110 pounds and standing at 5´3.

While I understand that my height is a disadvantage as my stroke is inherently shorter, I have heard a few different takes on weight. On one hand, some say that weight is somewhat of a double edged sword because, while they may be faster on the erg, heavy rowers also add more weight to the boat. Meaning that the net speed they add to the boat may be less than that of a lighter rower. On the other hand, some say that more weight is innately beneficial as heavy rowers have more mass to throw around; in turn, adding more speed.

Presuming the former logic is true, at what point does weight become a detriment. For example, on my last 6k, I pulled a 2:05.9 avg split. A teammate who is 50 pounds heavier than I pulled a 2:01.4; Is the difference in weight moderate enough that on the water we would be pulling similar speeds?

Thank you for any info on the matter.

[gvcormac]

Weight is not a detriment per se. But for an equal level of fitness, a heavier person will have more muscle.

In weight bearing activities like running the energy you need to achieve a certain speed is roughly proportional to your weight, so times are roughly comparable, regardless of weight. Not so for the rower. It takes only marginally more energy for a heavy person to row the same speed as a ligher person. So in this sense, heavier people have an advantage.

[The_Bow_Seat_Bandit]

Maybe I will be a coxswain and change my username

jokes aside, that was a really simple and helpful response. I feel like I have a solid understanding now. Thanks!

[Yankeerunner]

Coxswains are always appreciated. We never have enough at CRI in Boston. But keep being a rower because doing it yourself will help in knowing what your crew is doing and needs to do to be better.

On the other hand, don't give up on being bigger yourself. When I entered high school at age 14 I was 98 pounds and skinny as a rail. By the end of that freshman year I weighed 135 pounds and was still skinny as a rail at 5' 10". You may have a growth spurt any day now, leaving you more like your teammate.

[Dangerscouse]

Weight is only one element of performance amongst many others.

General fitness, height (as you mention), VO2max, some other genetical issues and mental strength etc etc will also play a significant role in performance. Your ability to suffer more than someone else can be a notable difference in the end result, especially for a 6k.

Don't overthink the weight issue, and look to improve on a number of different areas to make incremental gains, especially if your weight is always going to be on the lower end of the scale. Good luck with it all

[Tsnor]

You are exactly correct. Lighter weight at the same split gives you a faster boat OTW.

Seat Selection is also interesting. If 7 people in a boat have a short stroke, and the two people competing for the last seat have a short stroke and a long stroke, the short stroke guy gets the seat. You can't have a mix of stroke length in a boat, in-together, out-together same stroke length. Often tall guys only get to take partial strokes -- if you don't know the person in stroke, and they are short (think mixed boat) it's a huge relief when they have a lovely long stroke.

Here's your weight calculation: https://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/ ... calculator

Read the weight calculator write up for a description: "...because in on water rowing, greater body weight submerges the boat deeper in the water. This creates drag that must be overcome by the power of the rowers. The heavier the rower, the more drag on the boat, and the more power that rower will have to produce to be equal to their lighter teammate. ..."

You are 110 lbs at 2:05.9
Your 50+ lb heavier teammate is 160 lbs and pulled a 2:01.4

Weight Calculator says
Your adjusted time 1:43.1
Their adjusted time 1:48
In a boat on the water you will make the boat go faster (if all other things are equal, skill, fit with other team members, will to win, etc.) Coaches' seat decisions are complex.


But don't get used to that height/weight. At 14 things are about to get crazy. Height and weight are going to go up pretty quickly. Aside, that 2:05.9 is a nice time for a 14 year old.

[jamesg]

at what point does weight become a detriment

Over 100kg, for oarsmen. If very tall too we may need a special erg or boat.

6k, I pulled a 2:05.9 avg split. A teammate who is 50 pounds heavier than I pulled a 2:01.4;

2:05.9 is 175W, at 50kg = 3.5W/kg
2:01.4 is 195W, at 73kg = 2.7 W/kg
In the same boat you'd have problems with rating.

[ErgAddict]

Wow 2:05.9 at 110 pounds is crazy!! You'll definitely be the same speed if not faster in terms of pure power to move the boat.

Another factor besides weight that actually might affect speed more is the TAF at the novice level. WAF being the Weight Adjusted Factor and TAF being the Technique Adjusted Factor, both of these are the translators from the scores on the erg to speed on the Water.

Don't be deterred by the fact that your mate has faster scores on the erg. Although yes you might be put in a boat with relatively shorter people so the strokes mesh better, this most of the time also means the boat will be lighter. The phrase, "pull your own weight" comes from rowing. Your teammate's extra 50 pounds won't be factored into the erg readout. If you have have better technique on the water and can move the boat you will be faster in general and you don't have to rely on the power difference as much.

As Yankeerunner suggested, you are the perfect size for a coxswain as of right now. But like he also said in order to be an effective coxswain you have to know the ins and outs of the stroke so you can help coach your crew. The best learn the stroke is not by reading a pamphlet or watching a video but but getting on the erg and in the boat and taking thousands of strokes.

I had a friend who started out as a coxswain who was relatively short and pretty light but he wanted to be a rower. Over the course of a year and a by going to the gym and eating tons of food he got pretty wide. Although he doesn't have height on his side he makes up for it in explosive power. So basically want to be a more effective rower and you're not super tall try your best to get wide. Or wait on a growth spurt as previously mentioned.

Food for thought,
Cheers