Reach, Acceleration, and Backing the Blades In the Water

Rowers:

It is hard to simplify an entire stroke into just three technical elements: reach, acceleration, and backing the blades in the water. But in a competitive environment, where your mind and body are being pushed to the limit, it is critical that you and your boat stay focused. Concentrate on too many things, and the rower will feel overwhelmed and confused; too little, and you risk losing focus all together. Therefore, as far as the Niskayuna Freshmen are concerned, especially in a race, it is upon reach, acceleration, and backing the blades in the water that you will focus.

REACH: or, how much water you are displacing in a single stroke. At the catch, it is important to pick up as much water as possible without compromising the set or rhythm of the boat. Accomplish this with good forward body angle and a controlled pivot out towards your rigger following the arc of the oar handle. That extra inch of water you get multiplied by eight rowers over the course of 1500 meters could be the inch you need to win.

ACCELERATION: or, the change of speed in the oar throughout a stroke. From catch to finish the oar handle must move faster. This does two things: 1) it surges the boat forward so that the boat can glide further on the recovery; and 2) it makes the boat feel lighter to all the rowers. During practice, if coach asks for half-pressure rowing, then your catch should be half-pressure and your finish should be more, perhaps three-quarter or full pressure.

BACKING THE BLADE IN: or, making a smooth transition from the recovery to the drive. As the boat surges forward on the recovery and the rower approaches the catch of the next stroke, it is important to find balance: namely, not interrupting the speed of the boat when entering the oar blade into the water. To do this, the rower must raise his hands at the very end of the recovery so that the blade enters the water just split seconds before starting the leg drive. From a profile, it should appear as though the blades are slipping into the water without disruption.

Reach, acceleration, and backing the blades in are certainly not the end all be all of the technical stroke. However, if an entire boat can master these elements, then the speed and efficiency of a freshmen crew will undoubtedly improve.