Shins & heels ...

[mpukita]

I'd like some comment ...

If one is unable to get parallel shins with heels 100% flat on the stretchers, is it better to not go parallel (in hopes of stretching out over time), or to lift the heels?

Any different advice on the erg vs. OTW?

Thanks!

[PaulS]

I'd like some comment ...

If one is unable to get parallel shins with heels 100% flat on the stretchers, is it better to not go parallel (in hopes of stretching out over time), or to lift the heels?

Any different advice on the erg vs. OTW?

Thanks!

I think you mean vertical shins, so will approach the question with that in mind.

Go ahead and get your shins vertical, even if a bit of heel lift is required, and continue to wok on ankle flexibility to eventually (maybe) be able to keep the heels down.

No difference between Erg and OTW, as with other technical issues if you plan on doing both, IMO.

Cheers.

[mpukita]

Thanks Paul. It makes sense to me to get them vertical, and try to stretch into keeping the heels down over time, but wanted to make sure I wasn't using faulty logic. And yes, vertical, don't know where the parallel came from ... must be the universe I'm from!

[PaulS]

Thanks Paul. It makes sense to me to get them vertical, and try to stretch into keeping the heels down over time, but wanted to make sure I wasn't using faulty logic. And yes, vertical, don't know where the parallel came from ... must be the universe I'm from!

Nah, you are just showing aptitude for becoming a rower. Pretty soon you will not remember your right from your left, port from starboard, forward from backward, bow from stern.

Why is it that the port oar sticks out to your right?

See what I mean?

[mpukita]

Nah, you are just showing aptitude for becoming a rower. Pretty soon you will not remember your right from your left, port from starboard, forward from backward, bow from stern.

Why is it that the port oar sticks out to your right?

See what I mean?

Actually, the reversed port vs. starboard thing is something I got pretty quick ... but getting the right oars on the right side, that was a challenge ... easier for me to look at 'em and figure out which was which rather than to remember red was right (port).

OK, get ready. In a year or two, after I get my wife, who was an awesome athlete in high school and, at 52, is a pretty darn good golfer and I think could still outsprint most 30-year-olds (she was a sprinter in high school), into a learn-to-row program, I figure we'll need either a pair or a double. The double would be more stable, no?

In any event ... we'll need some advice on a boat, if my plans go as I envision ... and they often do.

[Yankeerunner]

On Xeno Muller's first DVD he goes from "arms-only" through full slide in gradual steps.

One of those steps is what he calls three-quarter slide, and he describes it as being as fully compressed as possible while keeping the heels on the footplates. On the DVD his shins are not up to vertical at that point. When progressing to full slide the heels then lift slightly as the shins go to vertical.

Few people are flexible enough to go to vertical shins with the heels still on the footplates. Some, yes, but very few. When I was a newbie and questioned coaches about it, they invariably told me that "keeping the heels down" was just an expression and really meant that one should try to get the heels down and set as quickly as possible during the drive, not that the heels should never come off the footplate.

Hope that helps,

Rick

[PaulS]

OK, get ready. In a year or two, after I get my wife, who was an awesome athlete in high school and, at 52, is a pretty darn good golfer and I think could still outsprint most 30-year-olds (she was a sprinter in high school), into a learn-to-row program, I figure we'll need either a pair or a double. The double would be more stable, no?

In any event ... we'll need some advice on a boat, if my plans go as I envision ... and they often do.

Well, the best part is that you can get a boat that can be a Pair (2-) or double (2x) [they are equally stable, but having control on both sides of the boat is more comfortable for most.], well maybe not the "best part", that would be that I'm a sales rep for rowingcenterusa.com and you would be welcome to come out to the NW and give a prospective boat a try if you like.

[mpukita]

On Xeno Muller's first DVD he goes from "arms-only" through full slide in gradual steps.

One of those steps is what he calls three-quarter slide, and he describes it as being as fully compressed as possible while keeping the heels on the footplates. On the DVD his shins are not up to vertical at that point. When progressing to full slide the heels then lift slightly as the shins go to vertical.

Few people are flexible enough to go to vertical shins with the heels still on the footplates. Some, yes, but very few. When I was a newbie and questioned coaches about it, they invariably told me that "keeping the heels down" was just an expression and really meant that one should try to get the heels down and set as quickly as possible during the drive, not that the heels should never come off the footplate.

Hope that helps,

Rick

Rick:

Thanks. It seems that your explanation is what's really meant when one says "heels down" ... get the heels down for as long as possible (to transfer as much power as possible with them, I assume).

[mpukita]

Well, the best part is that you can get a boat that can be a Pair (2-) or double (2x) [they are equally stable, but having control on both sides of the boat is more comfortable for most.], well maybe not the "best part", that would be that I'm a sales rep for rowingcenterusa.com and you would be welcome to come out to the NW and give a prospective boat a try if you like.

Paul:

A silly question maybe:

Can all two-seat shells be rigged for sculling or sweeping? Or, is there something inherent in boat design that would allow this (or prevent this)?

[mpukita]

Paul:

Another silly question (I have millions):

The "set" of the boat is certainly starboard vs. port, but I get the impression from one of your PMs that it's also stern vs. bow, yes?

This would mean what? That the line-up has to consider weight, as well as power, endurance, technique, and ability to do the stroke's job?

If so, can a team affect the set -- stern vs. bow set that is -- in any other way than by managing where the weight is in the shell?

[PaulS]

Paul:

Another silly question (I have millions):

The "set" of the boat is certainly starboard vs. port, but I get the impression from one of your PMs that it's also stern vs. bow, yes?

This would mean what? That the line-up has to consider weight, as well as power, endurance, technique, and ability to do the stroke's job?

If so, can a team affect the set -- stern vs. bow set that is -- in any other way than by managing where the weight is in the shell?

Bow to stern effect would actually be called "Trim", and while it can be effected by the weight distribution throughout the boat, that will rarely be a huge effect, the more likely source of trim issues will be during the stroke cycle and depend on how the crew manages their vertical movements at the catch and finish.

The term "set" describes the side to side orientation of the boat, i.e. a "set" is level across the gunwhales. "setting" the boat is maintaining that levelness.

A boat that is built to be a 2- can generally also be used as a 2x, provided you get teh appropriate riggers to do so. If a boat is built as a 2x it will generlly not have a rudder, so while it could still be used as a 2- (appropriate riggeing required) the "usual" steering method would not be available. Some would argue that learning to row a 2- without a rudder is a good way to go anyhow, and that is how we use ours when as a 2-, but we could re-install the rudder if required rather than not having the option available, as with our dedicated 2x.

The arrangement within a crew can take many things into consideration, though I think that I did post what has become the definitive, most humorous, as well as basically accurate description of personality traits by seat, somewhere in the forum. google "rowing seat personality traits" and you will get many hits to the same thing.