Concept2 Forum

I came across this video at the rowers world website. I thought I'd pass it along. It's a long video.

Living in Michigan, I can relate to the icy, slippery docks and rowing during a snowfall.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... +like+pigs

Byron

Thanks Byron,

I'm at work so I can't just sit and watch it through, but I'm getting it in 5-8 minute pieces and it's good viewing.

Rick

Thank you so much for posting the link. I rowed for Will Scoggins (different boathouse, though) and it's great to hear his words again. Does anyone know where he is now? I lost track of him a few years ago.

Very interesting video on how they flog their College kids to achieve their ultimate goal. Looking at the well equiped facilities, state of the art rowing tank, gym and number of ergs, these Colleges are certainly throwing lots of money at their rowing programs. Plus rowing would be a minor sport so I'd love to see what they do for their football and basketball teams.

However I wasn't impressed with the erg technique many of these kids were using. They were drawing the handle at the finish well above the chest and in some cases towards the chin with excessive layback. In my books that's not efficient erg technique. It seems to be a technique used more frequently by lightweights using very low drag. In my experience it's not worth that extra bit of travel for the diminished amount of spin you'd get in return out of the flywheel.

Fortunately these guys looked much better on the water and in the rowing tank but I did notice a lot of spray coming up from untidy bladework. I've only seen half of the video but did it enjoy watching it.

I didn't see their erg results but the guy with long hair & glasses doing 1:41 500m splits during a 6000m erg time trial wasn't all that fantastic for a College kid doing all that training. Although if he was a lightweight that's not beefed up enough it's probably not too bad.

I'll have to watch some more later.

However I wasn't impressed with the erg technique many of these kids were using.

I noticed the old handle-to-under-the-chin trick also. Obviously some people think it gets you a better time on the erg. It never worked for me, but on the other hand I’m not that fast anyway.

I think I would make a terrible coach. I'd be wary of getting the kids too hyped up. I'm suspicious of too many clichés about courage and giving it all. I think there is more of a danger of a fly-‘n-die than there is of not giving enough effort. But what do I know? I’m not a coach.

I did enjoy the reference to the chicken and the pig at the beginning.

Byron

I live and row in Hanover, NH. It's nice to see what the Dartmouth guys are doing, and to see the familar docks and ice.

one of these "kids" is now my current coach. i am only a junior in highschool, however, this man has taught me great things. also he now places 6th in the world at Crash-B's. just thought i should point that out to you guys...