Open Water Sculling

want2row · Post by **want2row** » May 20th, 2007, 10:57 pm

Can anyone please recommend to me a scull, or modified scull, which can be used on sheltered, but open water (shallow bay at the beach). I am hoping to find something that enables basic sculling, but a bit more stable than a traditional scull, as I've got to deal with some wind, waves, jetskis and an occasional motor boat. Anyone know anything about an Alden?
Thanks!!

whaskell · Post by **whaskell** » May 21st, 2007, 6:03 am

Try the following websites:
www.rowalden.com
www.echorowing.com

Will

want2row · Post by **want2row** » May 21st, 2007, 5:27 pm

Thanks very much!
Do you think that using a broader, more sturdy boat like the Alden and Echo will have any detrimental effects on technique in pure sculling which will resume in the fall. I wonder if it's easy to pick up any bad habits while using one of these more forgiving boats. I'm looking for something to practice on, but wonder if there is any downside to using a boat designed for open water when ultimately, I plan to scull in a lightweight racing scull on a river. I should mention that I am a total novice, so it seems to me that any practice is good practice. Any thoughts, please?

Rockin Roland · Post by **Rockin Roland** » May 21st, 2007, 11:53 pm

want2row wrote:Thanks very much!
Do you think that using a broader, more sturdy boat like the Alden and Echo will have any detrimental effects on technique in pure sculling which will resume in the fall. I wonder if it's easy to pick up any bad habits while using one of these more forgiving boats. I'm looking for something to practice on, but wonder if there is any downside to using a boat designed for open water when ultimately, I plan to scull in a lightweight racing scull on a river. I should mention that I am a total novice, so it seems to me that any practice is good practice. Any thoughts, please?

It's always better to train in what your going to race in. However if your an absolute beginner then you should start off in the wider more stable hull to at least learn the fundamentals of sculling technique.

Bad habits can develop in any boat. A more stable hull may mask certain aspects of your sculling technique which would adversely affect balance and boat run in a racing hull. Despite this you still need to build confidence on a more stable platform before you progress to a racing hull.

The most important thing in the early development of your sculling technique is to make sure you have a coach to have a look at you on a regular basis. Otherwise there is a strong probability that you'll develop bad habits in whichever boat you choose to row in.

Spend as much time as possible on the water and only use the erg for fitness training. That's because the erg will be of little help to your sculling technique.

want2row · Post by **want2row** » May 22nd, 2007, 7:17 pm

Thanks for the advice! I have had a few lessons so I think I know the basics, but now need to practice. About your comment on ergs... doesn't training on the erg help build endurance and develop the muscles most useful to rowing? Since I'm a beginner, I can't really get a workout sculling because I don't go fast enough to get my heart rate up. At least on a rowing machine I can do that... am I mistaken? (I also swim, run and bike, though) Thanks!

Kinley · Post by **Kinley** » May 23rd, 2007, 3:00 pm

Here's another site to look at: http://www.maasboats.com

coggs · Post by **coggs** » May 23rd, 2007, 4:28 pm

The Wintec Explorer 24 is a pretty nice training boat. It certainly not an open water boat like an Alden but something to go out in if you are not real sure of yourself when it's windy or the jet skis have taken over the water. Only about 30" shorter than a true performance single. I think it's better built than their club level "racing" boats.

want2row · Post by **want2row** » May 23rd, 2007, 5:44 pm

Thanks for the information! I'm checking out all of the boats mentioned.

Rockin Roland · Post by **Rockin Roland** » May 23rd, 2007, 11:48 pm

want2row wrote:Thanks for the advice! I have had a few lessons so I think I know the basics, but now need to practice. About your comment on ergs... doesn't training on the erg help build endurance and develop the muscles most useful to rowing? Since I'm a beginner, I can't really get a workout sculling because I don't go fast enough to get my heart rate up. At least on a rowing machine I can do that... am I mistaken? (I also swim, run and bike, though) Thanks!

The erg is a great physical conditioner for rowing on the water but don't expect it to help your technique. As your a beginner on the water it will be hard to get your heart rate up high so you'll still need the erg for speed work. However don't do your endurance work on the erg. You need to spend loads of hours on the water to improve your technique hence your endurance work should be done in the boat where it can be incorporated into your technique training.