Height/Weight Differences for Doubles

[ckaiserca]

Howdy,

I'm 6'2" tall and weigh in around 230-35. My wife is 4'10.5" tall and is about 130. Something tells me that this will never work for a double.

Maybe in a touring scull? I don't know anything about real OTW, so please no laughing.

[psucrewcronin]

Hey ckaiserca,

I can't say I've done any sculling, but the experience I've had with height differences in fours and eights is that I find it extremely hard to keep with a stroke who is much taller than me. I know traditionally the bowman is the lightest, but I recommend having your wife stroke because it will be easier for you to keep up with her because you can drive faster. I have found when a taller person strokes I usually finish my drive earlier and have to make up for it with a slower recovery. Since you are presumably much much stronger, I think you can compensate for her shorter drive with your faster drive.

Take my advice with a grain of salt, because I only sweep.

Hope I helped.

[PaulS]

Howdy,

I'm 6'2" tall and weigh in around 230-35. My wife is 4'10.5" tall and is about 130. Something tells me that this will never work for a double.

Maybe in a touring scull? I don't know anything about real OTW, so please no laughing.

Don't expect Olympic Performance, but there is no reason to not row together if you want to. My recommendation would be to get her a set of oars with dimensions that will allow for her size. The nice part for her is that "regular" club rigging span will be "wide" in her case, and that is a nice thing. IOW, you both will need to be made comfortable and you are "normal rowing dimensions", she is not.

I'm your size, and my wife and I row togehter, however she is 5'7", so not quite so drastic a difference as what you deal with, I've learned a lot about scaling the rig because of this. I'm still a bit longer in the water, but we are comfortable. We have our own boat, which is the most comfortable, but we change the oars when using club boats and they work out fine.

We often hear comments from other rowers that are married, like "I can't believe you guys can row together", but as far as I'm concerned it's the most enjoyable rowing that I do. They must have something else in mind.

Oh, you go ahead and be the stroke, that way your wife gets to give the commands while rowing, and they seem to take quite naturally to that.

[michelle]

I agree with Paul... get your oars set up properly and put her in bow. She can just take her time through the water to match you.
Right now I'm coaching a masters quad that has two 5'7ish women, one 6'1 man and a 5'0 woman. I put one of the 5'7s in stroke because she has the best rhythm, then the guy, then the other 5'7 then the little lady in bow. They're totally pulling it off fine (now that we've set up the oars). And having less weight in the bow keeps you from plowing.
But I think the main thing is that if you like who you're rowing with you'll have a good time!

[ckaiserca]

Thanks for the input! It sounds like this could work then. . .

Now I just need to convince the wife

[Snail Space]

We often hear comments from other rowers that are married, like "I can't believe you guys can row together", but as far as I'm concerned it's the most enjoyable rowing that I do. They must have something else in mind.

They must be using the alternative pronunciation of "row".


Cheers
Dave

[PaulS]

We often hear comments from other rowers that are married, like "I can't believe you guys can row together", but as far as I'm concerned it's the most enjoyable rowing that I do. They must have something else in mind.

They must be using the alternative pronunciation of "row".


Cheers
Dave

Oh yes, good point. That happens from time to time, but is generally minor. And "Post practice debriefing" has a whole nuther meaning....