Listed times drag factor/damper settings

[hjs]

Would the data reveal much?

A good proportion of those doing well will be otw folk very likely using dfs prescribed by clubs or national bodies or dictated by the feel of their boats on the water. 100-135 would surely predominate on that basis alone.

Well for competition you can guarantee any and everyone would be using their absolute optimal drag factor for the best score.

I'd over several years all the best rowers all used a similar df then it would fairly clearly show an optimal range

If heavier or taller rowers all used a higher number and did well and smaller lighter ones used a lower df - or the other way round, then I think it would be very useful.

Nah, you d be surpriced how many people don,t care that much and just put the lever somewhere based on feel. Not just saying this, but from experience at races.

[GJS]

Not sure it's very likely that otw folk will, on race day, choose a df that is alien to them, that is different from their training drag, Luke.

I grant though that the argument, 'If monsters like Drysdale and Pinsent erg at low/moderate drags why do you think 10 is the only way to go?' can be a persuasive one.

Yet, I think that zealous proponents of low/moderate drag sometimes are guilty of being badge-wearing members of the We Know What We're Doing Club. Given the variety of body types and athletic dispositions out there I think it far from certain that low/moderate drag is best for all.

Surprising just how low the recommendations from some bodies are:

http://www.rowingaustralia.com.au/wp-co ... s-V3.0.pdf

Note the justification, which I doubt is the whole story:

In the past specific drag factors have been prescribed for each category. In the last Olympic cycle when all testing
moved to using sliding style modality the drag factors were reduced simultaneously with the specific aim to attempt
to bring average stroke rates and drive:recovery ratios during maximal performance tests closer to that seen during
2000m racing


Interesting document.

[hjs]

Drags otw for a boat, makes a lot of sence, teams use the same drag testing. And a drag that makes sence comparing to boat speed.

Still think for erg results, drag does not matter much, a good rower will be fast on any drag.
The feel is very different, high drag feels very lumpy, low drag much more fluid, with less fanspeed changes.

And for otw a very high drag is very different from rowing, for oceanrowers on the other hand, the other way around, for them drag is never high enough. The need resistance to really hang against. Low drag feels like air to them, they want very thick yoghurt

[hjs]

Surely the only drag factor in a boat is the condition of the water, wind speed etc and one doesn't
move a damper setting or change the df on the water, pure skill in a boat ide say keeping it straight
and the like.

I think in a boat race you just have to be very fit and great balance and off course the will to win.

I love watching the Olympics otw, atheletes with just amazing capabilities.

Drag otw = boatspeed versus the water. "Catching" the fan is "catching" the water otw. The faster the boat is like a faster fan, so a lower drag.

[aussieluke]

Not sure it's very likely that otw folk will, on race day, choose a df that is alien to them, that is different from their training drag, Luke.

I grant though that the argument, 'If monsters like Drysdale and Pinsent erg at low/moderate drags why do you think 10 is the only way to go?' can be a persuasive one.

Yet, I think that zealous proponents of low/moderate drag sometimes are guilty of being badge-wearing members of the We Know What We're Doing Club. Given the variety of body types and athletic dispositions out there I think it far from certain that low/moderate drag is best for all.

Surprising just how low the recommendations from some bodies are:

http://www.rowingaustralia.com.au/wp-co ... s-V3.0.pdf

Note the justification, which I doubt is the whole story:

In the past specific drag factors have been prescribed for each category. In the last Olympic cycle when all testing
moved to using sliding style modality the drag factors were reduced simultaneously with the specific aim to attempt
to bring average stroke rates and drive:recovery ratios during maximal performance tests closer to that seen during
2000m racing


Interesting document.

No but otw rowers would likely use a different drag for steady state work vs tests and races.

It would be like saying an Olympic runner doesn't know or care what shoes he's running in and would just chuck any old shoes on for race day.

If you're at the level where a few percent matters, then you're going to care about it. Or you should.

[bisqeet]

Not sure it's very likely that otw folk will, on race day, choose a df that is alien to them, that is different from their training drag, Luke.

I grant though that the argument, 'If monsters like Drysdale and Pinsent erg at low/moderate drags why do you think 10 is the only way to go?' can be a persuasive one.

Yet, I think that zealous proponents of low/moderate drag sometimes are guilty of being badge-wearing members of the We Know What We're Doing Club. Given the variety of body types and athletic dispositions out there I think it far from certain that low/moderate drag is best for all.

Surprising just how low the recommendations from some bodies are:

http://www.rowingaustralia.com.au/wp-co ... s-V3.0.pdf

Note the justification, which I doubt is the whole story:

In the past specific drag factors have been prescribed for each category. In the last Olympic cycle when all testing
moved to using sliding style modality the drag factors were reduced simultaneously with the specific aim to attempt
to bring average stroke rates and drive:recovery ratios during maximal performance tests closer to that seen during
2000m racing


Interesting document.

No but otw rowers would likely use a different drag for steady state work vs tests and races.

It would be like saying an Olympic runner doesn't know or care what shoes he's running in and would just chuck any old shoes on for race day.

If you're at the level where a few percent matters, then you're going to care about it. Or you should.

hmm.. the dragfactor is just a way of making the erg react like a boat on the water.
each boat having a different feel to it. class A- class D, single to eight (i usually race in a quad, but do go out in a single or double - sort of depends who is available)
idea is for OTW rowers to train with a similar "handling" to that of their OTW boat.
a case of trying to make the trainng as "real" as possible. - for those that dont row OTW - I would say its preference.
Eddy Fletcher reccomends 110-120. In fact I think most of the coach's do. but in the end I guess what you are comfortable with...

[Edward4492]

I'm still playing around with drag factor, have pretty much settled on 110 for everything other than the low rate work outs. I'm finding that the 20r stuff feels much easier at a low (92) drag and I have zero issues, on the 110 drag (at a 20r/ 190w) my lower back and shoulders were really feeling it (in a bad way) the next day. My thought is the heavier drag was slowing the wheel down too much at 20r. Also, at 165lbs, not a lot of muscle; more a quick drive out of the catch.