Concept2 Forum

I am approaching my first 1,000,000 meters rowed, and most of these I rowed strapless. I started rowing strapless after I developed pain in my left knee that would not go away. My rowing buddy recommended to remove straps off rower, and that resulted in knee pain going away to my great satisfaction.

Anyhow, last weekend I was watching guys racing on the water, and I noticed that they lean pretty far back at the finish. Rowing strapless I can barely lean back at the finish, if I try to lean back any further I am risking falling off rower... So basically my back is pretty much straight at the finish, with shoulders spead and handle pushed in my stomach.

I'd like to mention that my graph on performance monitor looks flawless on each stroke - a perfect symmetrical curve with max height in the middle. Is there problem with my technique at the finish?

No. Too much layback is not good and doesn't really get you much more power out of the stroke. I think you'll find that even though your back feels "straight", you are probably leaning back just the right amount. From your description, it sounds like you're fine.

I am not sure on what is advisable, but I am surprised you have trouble with lean back rowing strapless. I find that I have to concentrate on a more powerful finish to avoid my feet leaving the foot plate when strapless and this leads to a greater lean back. I have read on the forum taht a greater leanback is used OTW than OTE, presumably to give time to extract the oar after using the back and arms in the water.

Excessive leanback is often seen from those who do a disproportionate amount of low rating erging as this allows an extention to the stroke which is normally penalised by the longer recovery, but at restricted rating the only penalty is the greater effort.

- Iain