Concept2 Forum

How similar is tank rowing to OTW rowing. And how different to erg rowing?
I am about to get (Aug 1/2) my first taste of tank rowing as a presursor to the real thing a couple of weeks later.
Regards,
Brent

Handle path and mechanics are similar to OTW, thus different from the Erg.

Thanks Paul.
I was just looking at your website as you replied to my post!

The c-breeze looks interesting...does this have any function other than a great flow of cooling air! Even if not, I can just imagine how good that would feel!

Yes the handle path should have been obvious....hindsight is a wonderful thing. I don't have a feel for the mechanical differences yet, but can see that pulling on one side of the boat is going to be quite a bit different.

And on that topic...I have some lower back pain on the left side. This is certainly not aggravated on the erg, in fact I think the erg is helping. But would I be better suited to handling an oar on the port or starboard side of the boat?

Once having been in the tank the major difference (for a beginner) to OTW will be balance then, I assume?

Regards,
Brent

icomefrombirmingham wrote: Yes the handle path should have been obvious....hindsight is a wonderful thing. I don't have a feel for the mechanical differences yet, but can see that pulling on one side of the boat is going to be quite a bit different.

The handle path is different for sculling as well as sweep rowing. On the erg, it is just a back and forth movement. For sweep rowing, the hands follow an arc and, in sculling, they not only move in (opposing) arcs, but they cross over at mid-stroke, so neither is truly symmetrical. And then, of course, there is feathering to consider which adds another whole dimension to the mix.

Bob S.

Well, I was in a tank for the first time last night. I didn't find it tippy at all!!
We were all novice rowers so it was very basic....and the oar blades were hollow...i.e. they only had a metal frame around the edge, no actual blade.
But it was good to get a feel for the motion in something like OTW conditions.

What a deal the St. Catharines club gives.....for $130 you get coached 2 tank sessions for novices, an orientation evening, three OTW sessions just for the complete novices....5 or 6 practices with your boat/crew, 5 "races", 2 BBQs and a banquet and dance!!
In 20 years time I'll be telling my grandchildren about this...and about gasoline only costing $1 per litre.

Brent

n 20 years time I'll be telling my grandchildren about this...and about gasoline only costing $1 per litre.

Hi Brent,

I hope somebody warned you that the on-the-water rowing can be highly addictive. In 20 years you will probably still be rowing on the water, and waiting for your grandchildren to be old enough so they can go rowing with you.

Byron

Byron Drachman wrote:

n 20 years time I'll be telling my grandchildren about this...and about gasoline only costing $1 per litre.

Hi Brent,

I hope somebody warned you that the on-the-water rowing can be highly addictive. In 20 years you will probably still be rowing on the water, and waiting for your grandchildren to be old enough so they can go rowing with you.

Byron

Byron,
I sincerely hope that you are right....OTW at 70...yup, that sounds good.
We have an orientation meeting next week and then it's OTW for me....or perhaps ITW???!!
As for addiction...I think I am addicted to the ergs at the "Y", but that is more of a grudge match. I am hoping OTW will be addictive in a more serene kind of way?
Regards,
Brent

icomefrombirmingham wrote:

Byron Drachman wrote:I am hoping OTW will be addictive in a more serene kind of way?
Regards,
Brent

Oh it will be. Addictive, nice, and Serene.

Right up to the point where you row to the start of your first race and look into the eyes of the opposition, then that will become your new addiction, then when you win your first race, that will become your new addiction - and onward

You will Love it!!

Ray79 wrote:

icomefrombirmingham wrote:

Byron Drachman wrote:I am hoping OTW will be addictive in a more serene kind of way?
Regards,
Brent

Oh it will be. Addictive, nice, and Serene.

Right up to the point where you row to the start of your first race and look into the eyes of the opposition, then that will become your new addiction, then when you win your first race, that will become your new addiction - and onward

You will Love it!!

Whoaaa there tiger!
This will be rec league....we race only for the beer and I have been given assurances that that doesn't run out nomatter how slow we are.
However, NEXT season is another story....masters men's HW 8+...or even the 4X+.......I can dream
Brent

Ray wrote:

Oh it will be. Addictive, nice, and Serene.

Right up to the point where you row to the start of your first race and look into the eyes of the opposition, then that will become your new addiction, then when you win your first race, that will become your new addiction - and onward

You will Love it!!

I agree. And sooner or later you will take a few good strokes in a single on flat water, see the puddles (where the blades were), and see the path in the water where the hull cut through the water, and then the addiction is complete. An early morning row in a single is about as serene as it gets. By the way, I had no previous experience rowing on the water and took a learn to row course when I was 67. I am now hopelessly addicted to on-the-water rowing. Check out the discussion on cold water rowing.

Byron

icomefrombirmingham wrote:

Ray79 wrote:

icomefrombirmingham wrote:I am hoping OTW will be addictive in a more serene kind of way?
Regards,
Brent

Oh it will be. Addictive, nice, and Serene.

Right up to the point where you row to the start of your first race and look into the eyes of the opposition, then that will become your new addiction, then when you win your first race, that will become your new addiction - and onward

You will Love it!!

Whoaaa there tiger!
This will be rec league....we race only for the beer and I have been given assurances that that doesn't run out nomatter how slow we are.
However, NEXT season is another story....masters men's HW 8+...or even the 4X+.......I can dream
Brent

Ha Ha Brent, I wasnt trying to scare you or put you off.

It doesnt matter if it is beer or pots you are racing for - the feelings are identical and you will want to get to the line first so as you can be first into the bar!!!!

Even training alongside another crew becomes competitive after a while, but that is all part of the fun. And if you ever meet a crew from the same club as you in a regatta, that is when reputations are really on the line

I actually like the idea of racing for beer rather that pewter tankards that clutter up my shelves at home - much more practical if you ask me

Cheers

Byron Drachman wrote:Ray wrote:

Oh it will be. Addictive, nice, and Serene.

Right up to the point where you row to the start of your first race and look into the eyes of the opposition, then that will become your new addiction, then when you win your first race, that will become your new addiction - and onward

You will Love it!!

I agree. And sooner or later you will take a few good strokes in a single on flat water, see the puddles (where the blades were), and see the path in the water where the hull cut through the water, and then the addiction is complete. An early morning row in a single is about as serene as it gets. By the way, I had no previous experience rowing on the water and took a learn to row course when I was 67. I am now hopelessly addicted to on-the-water rowing. Check out the discussion on cold water rowing.

Byron

Hi Byron,
Thanks for the encouragement. It was my second night in the tank last night and it was excellent. The coach on the first evening had explained "fast hands", but there was too much else new for me to really understand him. Last night the coach (a different guy) reminded me of it and so I concentrated on that while I was on the bow sidw...where the mirrors are. Boy, I had forgotten how good it feels when your body does something your brain told it to!!
Can't wait for next week now. Tuesday is the orientation and tour meeting at the club. Wednesday and Thursday are Novice OTW training sessions.
After that we join up with the more experienced (though still rec league) rowers in our team boats.
Our first "race" is August 30th.

I am impressed that you took up a new sport at 67! One of the reasons I decided to join the rowing club and not just erg was that I am 50 now(soon to be 51) and I thought it was about time I did some of the things that I always had a yearning to do. If I lose a few more pounds gliding (soaring?) might be next...then just possibly rock climbing. That is unless I get spotted as a youngster with potential for the Canadian over 80 mens heavyweight 8!!
Brent

Ray79 wrote:

icomefrombirmingham wrote:

Ray79 wrote: Oh it will be. Addictive, nice, and Serene.

Right up to the point where you row to the start of your first race and look into the eyes of the opposition, then that will become your new addiction, then when you win your first race, that will become your new addiction - and onward

You will Love it!!

Whoaaa there tiger!
This will be rec league....we race only for the beer and I have been given assurances that that doesn't run out nomatter how slow we are.
However, NEXT season is another story....masters men's HW 8+...or even the 4X+.......I can dream
Brent

Ha Ha Brent, I wasnt trying to scare you or put you off.

It doesnt matter if it is beer or pots you are racing for - the feelings are identical and you will want to get to the line first so as you can be first into the bar!!!!

Even training alongside another crew becomes competitive after a while, but that is all part of the fun. And if you ever meet a crew from the same club as you in a regatta, that is when reputations are really on the line

I actually like the idea of racing for beer rather that pewter tankards that clutter up my shelves at home - much more practical if you ask me

Cheers

Hi Ray,
No you didn't put me off! I am sure that you are right about the competition aspect becoming pretty addictive as well as the "serenity of the lone oarsman".
I am from a rugby background (years ago now) and the feeling you describe must be somewhat the same as when you weigh up the opposition pack before the first scrum....there's no way your pack are going one inch backwards!
You did remind me that first to the beer is a competition in itself
Is Milton Keynes a rowing mecca?
We studied in Nottingham in the late 70s, so I am familiar with Holme (Home) Pierrpoint. I went to watch when there was a world championships (I think) held there.
Brent

icomefrombirmingham wrote:Is Milton Keynes a rowing mecca?t

Ha Ha

Definately not rowing Mecca - in fact far from it. We are a small club that rows on a 1000m windswept lake that is more suited to sailing than rowing. But we do ok in the mid levels of club rowing round and about. The club was only set up 12 years ago, and I have only been here for 18 months having moved from Ireland for work.

Yet in that 12 years the top 4 has qualified for Henley once last year (sadly missed the qualifying cut this year).

Rowing Mecca's would probably be London and the Upper Thames (Henley, Marlow)areas for clubs, but Durham and UWE (University of West England) seem to do scary well at Uni level. Nottingham were actually stripped of most of, if not all their medals at the Uni champs at Holme Pierrpoint a few years ago (2003 i think) for putting an ex olympic rower in one of the boats.

Seriously Brent - OTW is hard to master, but it is very very rewarding

Ray79 wrote:

icomefrombirmingham wrote:Is Milton Keynes a rowing mecca?t

Ha Ha

Definately not rowing Mecca - in fact far from it. We are a small club that rows on a 1000m windswept lake that is more suited to sailing than rowing. But we do ok in the mid levels of club rowing round and about. The club was only set up 12 years ago, and I have only been here for 18 months having moved from Ireland for work.

Yet in that 12 years the top 4 has qualified for Henley once last year (sadly missed the qualifying cut this year).

Rowing Mecca's would probably be London and the Upper Thames (Henley, Marlow)areas for clubs, but Durham and UWE (University of West England) seem to do scary well at Uni level. Nottingham were actually stripped of most of, if not all their medals at the Uni champs at Holme Pierrpoint a few years ago (2003 i think) for putting an ex olympic rower in one of the boats.

Seriously Brent - OTW is hard to master, but it is very very rewarding

Well I, naturally, went to Nottingham Trent Uni (except in my day it was called Nottingham Polytechnic) and I am sure that Nottingham Trent would not get done for cheating!!

I am sure that you are right about the rewards of mastering OTW rowing.
In the recreational league I have joined the focus is on fun. There is, it seems, a good mix of complete novices and experienced-but-no-longer-(too)-competitive rowers in each boat and it is bi-sexual....or co-ed...or whatever you call it.
However, having said that it is not meant to be competitive, I am sure that, at the least, most people won't want to lose! And on that topic I must try to ensure I am not in the same boat as the woman in front of me on Thursday in the tank.....I think she was listening to "Splish splash I was taking a bath" on her iPod......'cause I am sure that no more than a quarter of her blade went in to the water....in EITHER direction!!!....and half the time on her recovery I was either getting soaked or, at times, was sure the oar was going to fly out of the oar-lock and go sailing through the window............and she looked pretty co-ordinated on the erg!

Must repeat to myself....."it's a fun league....it's a fun league".....
Brent