What shape is your curve?

[JoeGee]

Trying to get faster and have been experimenting with stroke styles for quite a while. Maybe this has been beaten to death here but I haven't seen a lot about it: http://www.toowongrowing.com/index.php? ... 116:rowing

I find that I go fastest when my power curve resembles the bottom right quadrant (the "Grinko" style) but I wonder about what others see and also about the biomechanics and efficiency of the various styles and hybrids thereof. I know that part of the efficiency of the stroke styles is related to limiting blade slippage through the water and I would assume that has no bearing on the erg (no water, right?) but maybe that loss of efficency is replicated somehow on the erg? Seems unlikely but what do I know.

Anyways, just looking for peoples' thoughts on efficency, power and speed as they relate to stroke style on the erg. Thanks.

[comictimes]

I know that when I was rowing in college I was always told to be aiming for a curve similar to the lower left one- explosive catch, and as much area under the curve for as long as possible (showing continuous connection throughout the stroke.

In reality, both then and now, my curve is similar to the upper right. I think it's due to aiming for more length, which does things that may screw you up on the water (and I definitely row differently than I erg) but I believe helps when erging. Also I often have a funky little jump at the end cause I do a weird pulling the hands in thing. It's a bad habit.