Ranger's training thread

[leadville]

btw, Buzz had me practicing the catch by putting big blocks of styrofoam under my riggers -really helped me get the timing down. I thought of you when he mentioned the idea.

What a coincidence. I was working on the catch yesterday. I was doing a drill that reminds you of the loose grip at the catch. It is described in Frank Cunningham's book: the traditional way is to roll up and be squared before the blades enter, as described in your book. Instead, you do the sculler's catch: You stay feathered and with your blade on the water you just do a small finger roll to start the squaring as you start the drive. The water does the feathering and gets the right blade depth for you. I had never tried it before. it is an interesting drill. It feels naughty to be "rowing in"

We're talking about what head races to do in the fall. Will our intrepid hero ever do one?
Cue for the usual as soon as I am fully trained and sharpened, did the 6:16 2K, etc.

Byron - interesting approach. I've always been focused on being as efficient and effective as possible - at my size (5'8", 160 lbs) I darn well better row efficiently or I'm toast. That requires missing no opportunity to move the boat forward - in turn I want to be absolutely prepared for the catch.

Seems that the esteemed Mr Cunningham's approach would result in missing a couple of inches of drive at the catch before you're totally locked into the water. I hasten to add that I mean no disrespect to Mr C; he is extremely knowledgeable and a wise student of sculling.

re the right blade depth, Buzz has me with very loose arms, relaxed elbows and shoulders throughout the drive, allowing the blades to go where the water wants them. I've found this to be a) less work than my old (I hope) way of tensing the arms throughout the drive and therefore less tiring and more efficient, and b) a big plus for balance, as gravity and momentum are much better at reaching equilibrium when operating without unnecessary, 'less informed' input.

The catch is square the blades,finish squeezing the butt to the heels, drop the blades in, and drive up and back while engaging the back - again letting the arms go where they go, the 'up and back' refers to the back and legs.

Oh, dear, we've hijacked this thread into an actual useful discussion...

Now back to the regularly scheduled blather-fest...

[ThatMoos3Guy]

Seems that the esteemed Mr Cunningham's approach would result in missing a couple of inches of drive at the catch before you're totally locked into the water. I hasten to add that I mean no disrespect to Mr C; he is extremely knowledgeable and a wise student of sculling.

My guess is that Mr. Cunningham wouldn't recommend that one actually row like that, but just do it as a drill to work on relaxation and being smooth at the catch.

[Byron Drachman]

Seems that the esteemed Mr Cunningham's approach would result in missing a couple of inches of drive at the catch before you're totally locked into the water. I hasten to add that I mean no disrespect to Mr C; he is extremely knowledgeable and a wise student of sculling.

I am treating the sculler's catch as a drill only. I find it easier to be squared before the blades enter. On page 66 of his book F. C. describes the "logical catch."

Catching with the blades already squared above the water would seem to be the most logical way to begin, except that in practise the blade must be kept safely off the water until they change direction, so the center of a 6-1/2 wide sculling blade will be at least 3-1/4 inches off the water. The tops of the blades will have to travel at least 6-1/2 inches downward before they are covered, during which the sculls swing through a considerable portion of their arc. Meanwhile the thrust of your legs will drive the boat backward.
To test this effect, rest the blades in the water squared, then pop them out and catch. After a few trials, you will be able to reproduced the squared up catch as it would be in a moving boat. You will find that you have pushed the stern farther back than you did when you began the stroke with your blades covered.

The sculler's catch

In the third test lay the blades feathered on the water. The object is to catch as if the blades were already covered, so let your fingers turn the blade as you pull. Pulling the blades in will load them virtually as if they had already been buried and will produce a markedly shorter backward movement of the stern than did the previous experiment. The reason is that the water will turn the blades for you if your fingers are quick and light on the handle. --snip--

As far as I can tell, he is recommending "rowing in." A coach told me that he has seen this style done and that it is elegant but very difficult to do.

Our intrepid hero with his auto-didactic coaching will probably have something valuable to contribute on this topic. I wonder if he has any idea what the "butt squeeze" is about.

[bloomp]

As long as we are off topic, take a look at this! Go ahead, look through the whole album and just be amazed.

http://www.nlroei.nl/Fotoboek-display-8951.html

[NavigationHazard]

It must have taken them 3 minutes just to count down from bow....

[bloomp]

It must have taken them 3 minutes just to count down from bow....

I know if I ask the question "Where have you been?" I'll get a response to the extent of "OTW".

How is your sculling going? I know that's what you wanted to focus on this year, so I've been trying to find race results with J. Bone in them but no luck so far!

[NavigationHazard]

Haven't raced this summer for various reasons. I may yet turn up for the head race season.

[lancs]

I'm a bit worried the Prof's tried a 5k at 1:39 pace and dropped dead after 700m....

[Bob S.]

It must have taken them 3 minutes just to count down from bow....

I wonder how long it would take to turn it 180 degrees.

I also wonder if it is in demountable sections so that it can be taken apart for highway transport.

Bob S.

[bloomp]

It must have taken them 3 minutes just to count down from bow....

I wonder how long it would take to turn it 180 degrees.

I also wonder if it is in demountable sections so that it can be taken apart for highway transport.

Bob S.

It is indeed! There is a picture in the album I posted of the boat on the dock, set in low slings. The Stampfli people look to be taking it apart. It is bolted together in several (not sure how many) sections.

[Nosmo]

The bow four and stern four have sweep oars, and the middle 16 have sculls. I've heard that sculling a 2x with one set of Macons and one set of hatchets doesn't work well--I would think 16 sculls and 8 sweep would be even worse.s
The bow four and stern four are probably two sections of an 8. The middle two sections were probably specially done.

[ranger]

Beautiful 15K this morning on crystal clear, spring fred Europe Lake, up here in Door County, WI.

No wind, blazing sunrise, light (but warm) rain.

Came across Lake Michigan on the Badger (the Great Lakes Car Ferry) at night in a torrential downpour the day before yesterday.

Gorgeous day yesterday-sunny and hot.

Did a 10K run with the family (my son, my brother, my nephew and his wife, my friend from Sweden, my wife) and 6K OTW in my Fluid.

Also, swimming, lumbering, etc.

Lake Michigan water is _very_ clean this year--and high. Must be all the rain.

Wonderful swimiming. The water must be 70 degrees F.

ranger

[stroke]

To win the Head of the Charles, Mike VB will have to hold his technique steady and rate 30 spm for three miles

ranger

Incorrect, to win the Head of the Charles or any race, Mike just needs to finish in front of whoever comes second. Rating technique, fitness don't matter as long as you finish in front.

[NavigationHazard]

Actually, in Masters rowing you sometimes need to do more than finish first. Mike just rowed the fastest raw time at Diamond States in the Men's E-F event but evidently has come second on handicap to a rower whose time OTW he beat by some 13 seconds. Heat index at the moment in Midletown DE is 100F. And it's always hotter at Noxontown Pond....

[Bob S.]

Actually, in Masters rowing you sometimes need to do more than finish first. Mike just rowed the fastest raw time at Diamond States in the Men's E-F event but evidently has come second on handicap to a rower whose time OTW he beat by some 13 seconds. Heat index at the moment in Midletown DE is 100F. And it's always hotter at Noxontown Pond....

How does it go? Age, cunning, and treachery will beat out youth, strength, and skill?

Bob S.