joint initiative between Concept2 and World Rowing

[Bob S.]

The e-mail I received from C2 this morning seems to portend a major change in indoor rowing competition. I assume that it went out to everyone on this forum and probably to everyone who keeps and online log. It will be interesting toes what develops from it. In a way, it is similar to the challenges that C2 regularly presents, but, to me, bringing World Rowing into the act introduces the possibility of a big shift in the little world of indoor rowing racing.

[jackarabit]

Icing on the cake for C2 market share.

[Bob S.]

Icing on the cake for C2 market share.

Yes. It appears to be a smart move and the same with the alliance with Crossfit. It will be interesting to see how both of these play out.

[PowerRower]

I think people greatly overestimate the impact that Crossfit will have on Indoor rowing in terms of pushing better numbers.... Anyone that rows frequently and competitively has absolutely nothing to be concerned with when it comes to Crossfitters being active in the sport of indoor rowing. If they are truly crossfitters then their whole goal is to be solid at everything but master of none. No one that spends 20- 30% of their week rowing will every have any great success in the sport. Just my .02

[Bob S.]

I think people greatly overestimate the impact that Crossfit will have on Indoor rowing in terms of pushing better numbers.... Anyone that rows frequently and competitively has absolutely nothing to be concerned with when it comes to Crossfitters being active in the sport of indoor rowing. If they are truly crossfitters then their whole goal is to be solid at everything but master of none. No one that spends 20- 30% of their week rowing will every have any great success in the sport. Just my .02

I agree with that, but pushing better numbers wasn't the point I intended in that post. What I meant was that, since it seems to be an integral part of Crossfit training and that there is some cooperation between C2 and CF, a lot of new people are getting exposed to the use of the erg and, at some boxes, are getting good instruction. It is very different from the usual gym with an erg or 2 off in a corner, rarely used and misused when they are. The CF boxes seem to have far greater numbers of ergs and I believe that the erg is an integral part of the program.

[Carl Watts]

The shorter they make the competition distance the more it will appeal/benefit the crossfitters.

The 500m to 1000m must be ideal for these guys.

[Bob S.]

The shorter they make the competition distance the more it will appeal/benefit the crossfitters.

The 500m to 1000m must be ideal for these guys.

And even more so for the 100m and 1' now that they have WR status. Very likely all three moves are a shrewd marketing plan. Nothing wrong with that. If it works, I believe that it will be of benefit to forum members in that it has the potential to create an increase in the number people interested in indoor rowing. A broadening of the niche, so to speak. One can hope that somewhere in all this there might be an improvement in verification procedure.

[lindsayh]

And even more so for the 100m and 1' now that they have WR status. Very likely all three moves are a shrewd marketing plan. Nothing wrong with that. If it works, I believe that it will be of benefit to forum members in that it has the potential to create an increase in the number people interested in indoor rowing. A broadening of the niche, so to speak. One can hope that somewhere in all this there might be an improvement in verification procedure.

Yes Bob - I couldn't see anything about verification on this challenge but thought it should be "compulsory" for entries in this particular event both for fairness and education.

[Edward4492]

Great comments. Ross......you're dead on. I'm involved pretty heavily with a local crossfit box. Excellent facility, 400 members. I go in on most Saturdays and service the ergs and I row with a group that does a long distance row every Sunday that varies from 10k to HM.There's several guys I program work outs for and we only do about 25k a week including the Sunday row. They do two additional rowing work outs of around 5k each and that's it. They crossfit, plain and simple. Most have no desire to specialize. How many guys start in crossfit, morph into full time erging, and stop crossfit like I did? None. I'm starting to see cf'ers at the local comps; these folks truly are into functional fitness. 2k races, local running events, mud runs, olympic lifting comps.....they do it all. Only a select few will become top level competive ergers.They have no desire to log the big meters. And as mentioned, the sprint events are appealing. I envision a time where you'll see some changes. I have the erg venue software all set up and can see setting up four ergs so guys can race head to head for 100m. Have heats and finals, do it at the cf box.

All in all it's a good thing for rowing, erging. and C2. It will pull more people in....but don't expect any 2k records to tumble.

And Ross, you're the outlier. The big man who can set records at 500m, probably put up a huge powerlifting total. And go sub-6 for 2k. Frightening!

[jackarabit]

The sidebar tells me that C2/WR is encouraging potential local promoters of erg comps (guys with access to the machines and electronic gear like Ed Peterson) to do some grassroots event development. Absent those resources, the basic group entry eligible for the swag is a single erg, 10 or more rowers and a wrangler with a pencil and telephone or a handful of logcards and a computer with web access. From C2's perpective, the end remains an effort to offer rewards for mass participation.

What is the brief of World Rowing? Central clearinghouse for promotion and awards? Better cameras and production for media presentation of regional and national comps?

I wouldn't discount the potential role of xfitters as competitors and fitness educators.

[PowerRower]

Bob, I didn't mean to sound like I was calling your post out particularly... I have just heard so many times from so many people that they think the more crossfitters that join the community the faster the numbers will be... false, in my opinion. They lack the size.

Take the BEST Crossfitters in the world for example.. say Froning and Khalipa... also 2 of the larger/heavier/stronger athletes... they are 1:19 - 1:21 on 500m. To be successful at Crossfit you have to have a certain build. Most are 5'8" - 5'11" 180 - 210lbs. Thats not getting it done for a 100m OR 500m record and to short to be successful at 1000m+.. Sam Blythe is truly a freak in that regard at only 5'9" or so and he probably barely breaks 1:20 on the 500m.

I just think people give crossfitters way to much credit.

Edward over 1900lb raw total when I was much younger.

[jackarabit]

@ Ross Love

I don't think C2 really cares very much about absolute top dog accomplishment. Must be World Rowing doing the takent scouting. I get your point about mesomorph all-rounders. Looks like Ninja Warrior might be the comp paradygm of choice for them.

[Carl Watts]

Yes Bob - I couldn't see anything about verification on this challenge but thought it should be "compulsory" for entries in this particular event both for fairness and education.

Please don't get me started again about verification ! ALL the C2 Challenges should have at least the option of verification for those that want to include it with their efforts.

Anything that increases the number of people on the Erg is a good thing, RowPro number should increase significantly when they get an Android and iOS version.

[kjwkjw]

I just joined C2 as a member, and am not able to find any news on this joint initiative. Would anyone mind posting a link?

Many thanks.

[Bob S.]

http://www.worldrowing.com/events/2016- ... nformation