Concept2 Forum

I installed my slides over a week ago, and since then I've rowed a grand total of 2,500 meters.

I guess I was expecting my first time on slides to be like a day at the amusement park. It wasn't. Not that it was bad—I'm not slamming into the stops or anything, and for the first time ever I can actually imagine rowing strapless... but I miss the familiarity of grounded erging. Please, somebody, reassure me that if I put in the time and effort to acclimate to the slides, I will get back to my previous comfort level on the erg.

And I'd been doing so well! Sucks to think the routine I'd worked so hard to establish could go right down the drain with one measly back injury (now healed) and a new piece of equipment.

I seriously need a boot in the rear to get back on track. Slides owners: any words of encouragement?

Hey Ducatista!

I'm not just saying this because it's what you want to hear...stick with the slides and you won't regret it. Once you get the hang of it, I find it much better...you literally feel like the "boat" is running under you. I also find that it helps me use my legs better as you literally push the erg away from you. I would never go back to "grounded" and actually find it very unpleasant if I happen to find an erg with no slides when I'm traveling.

Please let us know how it goes and ask if you have any questions.

Kevin

Duc:
I'll trade your slides for my old mountainbike, shipping on your expenses .
Or for 1-3 kids if you prefer!

Now seriousely:
I've not tried the slides, but the Rowperfect, and thought it was great! Gets a bit more into the legs and less into the back.
Stick to it, and I think you won't regret it!

Since you are not having a problem technically, what is it that you are not finding comfortable?

Did you try to simply close your eyes, sometimes that helps. But beware sometimes it's totally opposite. Remember that you were used to a certain degree of acceleration of your head each stroke and now that has changed considerably, it can be dizzying at first. Kind of like kids who have been raised on a boat and get "land sick" due to the lack of motion.

Here is a thread about my first impressions on the slides.

http://www.c2forum.com/viewtopic.php?p= ... ides#56440

Ducatista wrote:I installed my slides over a week ago, and since then I've rowed a grand total of 2,500 meters

That's no distance at all. I suspect that you are feeling the same sort of weirdness and disorientation that I felt when I first started rowing on slides. For my first 4 or 5 outings I couldn't row for more than a few hundred metres without feeling that I had to stop: I couldn't say why, it just didn't feel right. I came close to ditching the slides, but fortunately I was soon overcome by a determination not to waste my recently spent £210!

In retrospect I think I was trying to instantly convert my rate and pace on a grounded ergo to the slides. After those first few sessions I decided to totally ignore rate and pace, and to concentrate on developing a comfortable rhythm. Very quickly after that decision I had an "oh wow!" moment, when it all suddenly seemed just right. I haven't a clue what I changed; it was probably just that I relaxed more once I decided to go for rhythm rather than rate/pace.

Now I row at high or low spm, fast or slow pace; all strapless. It feels natural, and I will never go back to the ground. Well, maybe for BIRC in November!

Cheers
Dave

P.S.: Persist for at least 10K, or I will kick your ass!

Ducatista,
Here are your words of encouragement: It gets much better, but it will require a bit of practice.

I too was initially disappointed when I received the slides. I've been on the slides about two months. I found that initially I had to row at a higher rating on the slides to get the same splits as on a grounded erg. Now the splits and ratings seem consistent on either setup, but it took many sessions (I'd say 10) to get there.

Here's what helped: I concentrated on suspending my weight at the catch, without shooting my slide, while relaxing my shoulders. Does that make sense? I think that on the grounded erg, there's no penalty for being tense and taking the catch with the upper body. On the slides, it seems to help to be relaxed with the upper body, and feeling the catch with the legs. As you know, the body angle is supposed to be constant for the beginning of the stroke, until you open up the back.

I was out of town the other day and rowed at a gym on a grounded erg... it felt like I was drunk or something! I think the slides really are easier on the low back, and I think it really does feel more like being on the water. I've really not seen any advantages in terms of erg (boat) speed though. I suspect that only hard work will improve that.

I think you will love the slides after you've rowed on them a bit more. Don't despair, all will be well! Try some long, low pieces, and relax! No need for a kick in the ass, just have some FUN! Soon you will wonder what all the fuss was about!

Thanks, booty kickers! I knew you'd come through for me.

My first outing wasn't uncomfortable so much as not completely fabulous. I really can't say why that minor disappointment caused me to come up with all sorts of excuses for not getting back on the seat, especially since I told myself ahead of time not to expect to fall in love on the first stroke. I'm not usually such a weenie... but no matter, I'll jump on the boat tomorrow and r-e-l-a-x.

Thanks again, all.

Ducatista wrote:I'll jump on the boat tomorrow and r-e-l-a-x.

Come back and give us progress reports, won't you.

I'll be losing sleep until I know you've fallen in love!

Cheers
Dave

The slides and I are starting to bond.

Once I relaxed and concentrated on getting more comfortable, the sensation of motion returned. Yay! I was worried that remaining more or less stationary would kill the erg's swingset appeal—but that doesn't seem to be the case.

It's much easier to maintain proper body angle with slides, I'm finding. And oh man am I feeling it in my hamstrings and butt. Not as much in my quads—I wonder if that's because they're accustomed to having to halt the momentum of my recovery (I realize there should be much, but there is... er, was) and life is easier for them now.

I love having a broader comfortable range of stroke rates—partly for the variety of movement, partly for the greater number of songs I can include in my rowing playlist.

So far, so good!

I think I'm going to try the slides this afternoon (my club got a set borrowed), really looking forward to it!

ancho wrote:I think I'm going to try the slides this afternoon (my club got a set borrowed), really looking forward to it!

Let us know how you get on.

Cheers
Dave

The issue is mooter slides now.

John Rupp wrote:The issue is mooter slides now.

Could you translate that? I'm curious as to what you are trying to say.

Rhymes with motor-cy-cles.