what are my olympic chances

[reezy]

hey guys. Ive really been considering going all out to make the olympics. But im not sure if i stand a chance. Im 18 years, 5''8, 62kg and i have a 6:18 2k score.. I can easily gain mass to the lightweight limit (72kg) but am currently trying to get stronger whilst im still 62kg. Please help me out and tell me if can achieve my dream. thanks

[ArmandoChavezUNC]

Is that on static or slides?

No one here can tell you if you can make the Olympics. If you are truly pulling those times your coach should be submitting your information to the U23 nat'l team pool. Also, an erg score doesn't help you if your technique is not up to par. In rowing you don't often see very young guys winning at the Olympic level. Takes years and years of training.

Do you plan to row in college?

[sharp_rower]

By "going all out", do you mean skipping college and focusing exclusively on rowing? Your 2k score is almost there for making the national team: http://usrowing.org/NationalTeams/Natio ... tocol.aspx.

[hjs]

hey guys. Ive really been considering going all out to make the olympics. But im not sure if i stand a chance. Im 18 years, 5''8, 62kg and i have a 6:18 2k score.. I can easily gain mass to the lightweight limit (72kg) but am currently trying to get stronger whilst im still 62kg. Please help me out and tell me if can achieve my dream. thanks

Erging is not olympic, so start otw.

6.18 at that age and weight is roughly the best erg performance ever. Are you sure about tht time. If so you are extremely fit.

[Carl Watts]

With those results it either was not a Concept 2 erg or the monitor on it is set to the wrong rower type.

[reezy]

i use concept 2 model d. Yea to be honest my sculling on the water isnt that great, i dont much water time but i was hoping i would when i start at college. i dont intend on winning at this age but i just want get there for now

[Bob S.]

i use concept 2 model d. Yea to be honest my sculling on the water isnt that great, i dont much water time but i was hoping i would when i start at college. i dont intend on winning at this age but i just want get there for now

At 5'8" your best bet is single sculls. Erging can get you fit, but beyond that it is a waste of time that would be much better spent on the water.

Bob S.

[mikvan52]

Find a partner and start rowing the 2x... immediately... So you won't have the excuse " Oh, if I only started earlier (OTW)
Pairs rowing and straight fours are also an option. Don't get stuck sloshing around in a non-olympic class boat...

It's a shame when lwts over-prep. the erg and never make it to an Olympic podium.
I fear this will happen to Stephansen...

Did Eskild say to himself at your age: "I'll just wait to University to get on the water...." ~ nyet.....

Additionally:
Want to know just one reason why Bob S. and others are so correct with their advice?
(in another person's words)

"It is well known that most erg world records (on Concept 2s, at least) are set at much lower rates than used in racing boats over events of similar duration. There are probably two reasons for this
The rowing stroke sweeps through an angle and is therefore less efficient at the ends than in the middle - the ergometer stroke is equally efficient at all parts of the stroke therefore additional length has more benefit (plus no length is lost due to the need to cover/extract the blade)
The ergometer rower has to perform additional work accelerating/decelerating their bodyweight each stroke - in a boat the body moves much less relative to the centre of mass of the whole system, so there is less of a penalty for higher ratings."

I take it from this that an elite rower needs to feel the difference an decide to put in the hours in the physical environment (OTW) where (s)he needs to excel...

[reezy]

Thanks guys. Youve motivated me to take to the water ALOT more. Its gonna be tough to get a partner willing to pair up with someone my height though.

[ArmandoChavezUNC]

"It is well known that most erg world records (on Concept 2s, at least) are set at much lower rates than used in racing boats over events of similar duration. There are probably two reasons for this
The rowing stroke sweeps through an angle and is therefore less efficient at the ends than in the middle - the ergometer stroke is equally efficient at all parts of the stroke therefore additional length has more benefit (plus no length is lost due to the need to cover/extract the blade)
The ergometer rower has to perform additional work accelerating/decelerating their bodyweight each stroke - in a boat the body moves much less relative to the centre of mass of the whole system, so there is less of a penalty for higher ratings."

I take it from this that an elite rower needs to feel the difference an decide to put in the hours in the physical environment (OTW) where (s)he needs to excel...

I agree for the most part, though there are guys like Drysdale who have pulled sub 5:40 and are also Olympic champions. They aren't mutually exclusive.

But absolutely - ergs don't float.

[Bob S.]

I agree for the most part, though there are guys like Drysdale who have pulled sub 5:40 and are also Olympic champions. They aren't mutually exclusive.

Top OTW rowers will always be capable of getting good and, often, great erg scores, but it does not work the other way around. Rowing OTW is far more complex than pulling the handle of an erg and takes a lot longer to reach the efficiency needed for top level competition.

And there is still the problem of the OP's height. 5'8" just does not cut it in a crew. With average heights of well over 6' and proportionately long limbs, the tall rowers will have longer stroke lengths. 'To get the same power, a short (and/or short-limbed) rower needs to use a higher stroke rate, but all the rowers in a crew all have to row at the same rate. That is why I said that the single was the best option for the OP. Possibly he could find a suitable 2x partner, but for the most part the other categories will be filled with the tall guys.

A lot of college crews have had success with rowers 6' and less, but there will be very few at the olympic level. And the OP is a full 4' less. I am just trying to be realistic here. I don't like to put a damper on anyone's aspirations. That is why I suggested that he could possibly find success rowing a single. Mike suggested a 2X and that, too, is a possibility - if he can find a matching partner. I suppose the the 2- could be considered, but that is the toughest boat of all to master and requires an even better match with a partner.

Bob S.

[reezy]

thanks all for the advice. Im starting to replace my erg sessions with more water sessions. Would you guys know any drills that would be particularly useful. Especially catch drills