otw 1st time

deefor · Post by **deefor** » December 1st, 2006, 10:02 am

Ive been erging about 5 months now and would luv to try otw ...question is (prob daft question) how similar is the action? in other words do i have an advantage in using erg?

PaulH · Post by **PaulH** » December 1st, 2006, 12:33 pm

For getting started you probably do have an advantage, assuming that you've got a reasonable stroke going on the erg! On average I'd say it takes 2-3 lessons for a complete novice to get to the same stage as someone who has erged would start at, though I've seen people who've erged so badly it took that long just to start fixing all their mistakes

deefor · Post by **deefor** » December 2nd, 2006, 3:27 pm

ah....that could be an issue

citiusaltiusfortius9 · Post by **citiusaltiusfortius9** » December 3rd, 2006, 5:22 pm

well don't let it stop you from going on the water. At least you know the basics (like that you face backwards and how you pull) Go for it, let us know how it goes. Is there a club near you that offers learn to row classes? Go for it!
You also have the advantage of having built up your rowing specific fitness level a bit already, you might have better endurance than the others in your class. The balance is a bit different though. =)

Good Luck!

Byron Drachman · Post by **Byron Drachman** » December 3rd, 2006, 6:52 pm

and would luv to try otw

You've probably already been warned, but in case not I should mention that OTW is extremely addictive. Sooner or later you take some good strokes, see the puddles left by the blades and the wake off the stern, and then it's too late. There will be no turning back.

Byron

PaulH · Post by **PaulH** » December 4th, 2006, 1:46 am

I should clarify, if you thought my post was at all negative - do it, as soon as possible!

deefor · Post by **deefor** » December 4th, 2006, 11:49 am

Hi, thanks all for advice...im actually in UK and looking for clubs that have the "learn to row" classes to take the plunge..

Altitude · Post by **Altitude** » January 4th, 2007, 1:03 pm

As citius mentions your main advantage will be rowing endurance and power. On the water, technique is significantly more critical to success. You have to worry about the catch and release of the blade and the set of the boat. On the erg none of that is a factor so you are free to rip the handle any way you please.

Good luck!

deefor · Post by **deefor** » April 26th, 2007, 8:36 am

hi, Im now due to go to my OTW session in 4 weeks...is there anything I can be doing in terms of technique to prepare for this?

PaulH · Post by **PaulH** » April 26th, 2007, 9:54 am

1. Always remember the basic idea of splitting your stroke up (legs-back-arms-arms-back-legs)
2. Make the recovery at least twice as long as the drive, preferably three times as long.
3. Think of your stroking ending at hands away, rather than with the handle pulled in to your stomach. You want your hands to move quickly away from your body before you start your slow recovery.
4. If I were to pick one thing that would help separate you from the others it would be to keep your back straight - when you're reaching forwards tilt at the hips, don't round your back. Your posture should be like you're sat up smartly at school at all times, even though you may be leaning forwards or back. No slouching!
5. Oh, and relax! You're not going to fall in (you have to improve a bit to fall in!), you're not going to look stupid (no more than the rest of your crw anyway), and you will get it wrong. So just relax and enjoy it

Cheers, Paul

deefor · Post by **deefor** » April 26th, 2007, 10:43 am

Thanks

pz1800 · Post by **pz1800** » May 14th, 2007, 5:28 am

All of the above is true, especially the part about it being addictive. I'm now into my 3rd week of otw (twice a week) after erging since October. I would echo very loudly PaulH's no.3 ... after my first session I came away frustrated at my hands getting caught up in my t-shirt and training pants. A kind word from a hugely experienced rower and some time in the pool (do you call it that?) under his eye sorted that out. Get those oars out of the water and hands away before you slow down. And be prepared for mental exhaustion. And aching smile muscles.

deefor · Post by **deefor** » May 24th, 2007, 10:49 am

did u fall in?? thats my main worry along with getting the hang of the strokes.

PaulH · Post by **PaulH** » May 24th, 2007, 1:18 pm

People almost always start rowing in larger boats, so falling in is very difficult. I won't say it's impossible, but one of the first things I show rowers on the water is having one side raise their handles as high as they can while the opposite side lowers them, and vice-versa - it quickly makes the point that while the shell can be very wobbly for maybe 20 degrees either side of vertical, the oars make excellent stabilizers to stop it going further.

Getting the stroke down takes years, so don't expect too much of yourself

I've taught about 30 people to row, and had just 1 who didn't get the stroke basics inside the first 4 sessions on the water (and even that person had it down after the second 4 sessions).

Don't worry, just do it!
Cheers, Paul