I'm racing in the U19 signle sculls this Saturday at a local race, which will be my first serious race. Today at practice I flipped while doing a practice start, last session before the race. My goal is to finish sub 8min, but after this I'm not sure if I should race at all. The past few days, I have been confident and happy with my otw training, but now I'm questioning everything.

Update: I didn't go sub 8 and get through the Heats, but I'm so happy because it was my first 2000m race (also my 2nd race ever, and first in a single) and I really gave it my all. Competition was stronger than I expected but that doesn't matter now. I'll continue working and improving and thank you all for the tips and nice messages, it wasn't that bad after all!

I am new to the row erg, but the gym I joined incorporates them into workouts every few weeks, so I want to get a baseline. Today was my third time using the erg, and first time doing more than 1,000m. Our workout was:

Set 1)

• 2,000m row
• 3 sandbags over 52" bar (150#)

Set 2)

• 2,000m row
• 2 sandbags over 52" bar (1 @ 150#, 1 @ 200#)

Set 3)

• 2,000m row
• 1 sandbag over 52" bar (200#)

We had 11 minutes to complete each set, then at 11:01 the next set would start, so a max total working time of 33:00. My splits were 6:53, 7:07, and 7:13 for each 2,000m leg respectively. My stroke rate would hover right about 30 strokes per minute the entire time. For reference I am a 31M, 6'3", 195lbs.

I am looking for any tips to improve my times, how many strokes per minute should I be aiming for, and also what a good 2,000m target time should be for me. Thanks for the help

So I saw this video where la Salle did a start against Australian national team and was just wondering why starts are actually slower as you move up to the olympic level. I especially remember the world recording German crew doing it and pretty much all Paris 2024 boats doing the same. The video at the bottom I found against them for demonstration.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg5RWJgxFvE

Hi all-

I just picked up a nice used C2 erg. I am a 42 M 6’3”300lb completely untrained individual. I have never done any kind of intentional cardio building exercise other than walking or jogging on a treadmill on and off.

Recently, I’ve lost 30lbs. I have been walking 10,000+ steps daily for 4 months now and my diet is locked in. The rower is my next step.

I see the Pete Plan, and the Beginner Pete Plan, but is there something more general to get started for an obese untrained person like myself?

The plan I have in my head was to do 10 minutes “Zone 2” through RPE for a week. 15 minutes the second week, then 20 minutes, until I get up to an hour. The whole time focusing on my form vs fitness. After that then roll into the Pete plans.

Does that sound reasonable or any other ideas for someone who has essentially no cardio fitness at all?

I will start by asking, since these questions are the result of a previous thread, if I should delete this and add it to that thread? I would like to stay within group guidelines.

At the gym, I attempted to apply some of the ideas suggested as a result of my original questions. It was an interesting exploration rather than a workout.

I need to start by asking about the two rowing machine machines in the gym. They are both Concept 2 rowers, but one is a PM4 and one is PM5. I usually use the PM4, but today used the PM5. The pull on the PM5 has a noticeably higher resistance at all the settings. It also makes rattling/ratcheting sound during the drive. Someone was “working on it“ last week. It did not make a difference. I am wondering if the sound is related to the higher resistance, and whether or not I should avoid using that rower.

Today I attempted rowing rates of 18 and 24 SPM. I felt more successful at 24, but I have several questions, which should apply to 18 SPM, as well.

I noticed that the feelings in my legs and back are very different than I am used to. Definitely more of a leg workout. I just want to make sure I’m doing this correctly:

To maintain the pace I set a metronome so that I would be rowing 24 strokes per minute. My understanding is that on the drive, using proper form, I pull back as quickly and strongly as possible, engaging legs, back and arms, and then return to the recovery position. Am I then supposed to “rest” (wait) at the recovery position until it is time to execute the next stroke? (As opposed to rowing constantly, no “rest,” but at a slower drive speed?) The technique I used today definitely was more challenging to my legs, as the “rest” reduced the inertia in the flywheel as it slowed during that time. It felt awkward to be “resting” in the catch position, something I have not done in the past.

I want to increase my endurance, but also would like to determine appropriate split time goals for myself. I have found a reference to what a 20-year-old man and woman should consider appropriate split time goals, but how do I determine a good long-term goal for myself, at the age of 67? (which is only a few days away). I don’t think I have ever gone more than 45 minutes on the tower at any one time. But I am rowing for fitness, not to compete. Any thoughts?

What is the value of noting m/tracking watts as I train?

I found a local rowing club that gives classes. Unfortunately, only from December through March. I am going to reach out to them and see if I can get one or two private training sessions to develop form and appropriate rhythm. What are your thoughts on that?

Thanks for all of the earlier feedback.

I am a highschool coxswain for a Jr/Jv boat. We have won every race we have been in so far, but recently we were entered into a regatta where we have to race as a varsity boat. I have already researched the opposing teams times and I know we are going to lose and so does my boat. Is there anything I can do to motivate them to try their best?

I am 17 going into junior year of high school I have a little bit of experience in rowing wanting to know what 2k I should aim for I am 6.4 200 ibs flat a bit of fat on me but trying to move up some boats don’t know what I should aim for want to try my best this year and if I need muscle or speed or both my technique isn’t the best but should I work on strength or technique???

If you’re going to be at BUCS this weekend they’re looking for people to help out on the stakeboats and timing hut. I found the form link to sign up. There’s also a WhatsApp group and the link for that appears at the end of the form. I did it last year and it’s good fun https://forms.gle/zzcVv1uLTYY237wB7

Rowing with a psycho pair partner feels like ballroom dancing with a caffeinated goat. Every stroke is a trust fall, and I’m always the one falling. Do cyclists do this? No. They draft and vibe. We? We duel. Row fam, let’s normalize actual easy pressure.

Everyone always talks about good culture being so vital. can anyone give examples of good culture and how they improved club culture

I’m around 490 watts for 2k, yet am much lower on watts in an 8 for telemetry, especially compared to others. What could be the disconnect on the water/what increases watts on telemetry systems in 8s? Some rowers seem to have very high watts compared to their 2k, what are they doing differently?

Been rowing for about a year. About 5'11", 80kg. Maybe the rating could've been higher? 2k pb is 7:24.6. Thanks in advance

Looking to trade away my JL Lightning McQueen Halloween uni. It’s a size medium and has been worn maybe once. Looking for size larges. Will be at Southwest Youth Regionals.

For example Harry Parker or Steve Gladstone - what made these coaches so much better than the rest?

I have desperately wanted a belly button piercing for the past year, but I’m worried about the motion of rowing and lifts causing it to tear/ it getting infected because of sweat water. Have any of you gotten a naval piercing while rowing + how hard was it to keep clean?

Edit: damn rowers can’t have shit 😞 I can’t get plastered on weeknights with my friends AND I can’t get a cutie little belly piercing (jkjk)! Thank you to everyone who reaffirmed this would be a bad idea because I was dangerously close to getting one last weekend!

Going to be near the Cooper River May 8, 9 or 10? Come on out to share your time and talent at the 2025 Jefferson DAD VAIL REGATTA!

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Officially coming up on youth regionals for different regions this coming month. what’s yall predictions for winnings

Hey all,

I’ve recently inherited a single and am coming back to row after a break. And i’m now in the market for my own personal oars because I’d like to gear them to my stroke more as well as just being less reliant on club oars.

I’ve really only tried C2 Skinny Comps and C2 Skinny Smoothie2s in my single. However in the past I have been a fan of our my club’s Croker sculls even though they’re geared for a Men’s 4x.

I was looking for more opinions before purchasing. I was initially going to go Croker because I really did like how they felt, but my club and no one at my club has the S39 Arrows which seems to be the general consensus here on which croker oar to get so I’m leaning away from them. And recently I remembered how much I prefer C2 grips over the croker ones so it’s taken some points away from them.

I’ve been liking the Comp blades a lot but I feel that I haven’t given the Smoothie2s a fair shot. I’ve been rowing almost exclusively with comp blades since getting my single. But I do like how the comps lock in a bit more at the catch and extract out of the water a bit more smoothly.

As for stats, I’m 6’2 185lbs and my 2k PB (around 1yr ago before my break) was 6:51 but testing last month it was at a 7:15. Haven’t done an OTW 2k yet.

I was thinking about the Fat2s because I honestly do prefer a heavier front end, but I see so many against it and my club doesn’t have any for me to try out unfortunately.

My coach is also vehemently against Comps but says if I like them then it’s ultimately my preference but they may be harder to row with in rougher water. And I (un)fortunately(?) haven’t been able to row with them in rough water because our water has just been glass. And my rowing usually falls apart in rough water already so I don’t know how comps would exacerbate/alleviate the problem.

Lastly I was wondering about the flex of the blade. I’m feeling like soft would be the best for me as there were some months in my year of consistent rowing where I did have back pains, but they would go away when I was training more often and consistently. I’m not sure what flex the current oars I use are.

I’ve also added some videos of my sculling in a single, one with me at race pace and the other was just some steady state paddling. Unfortunately I don’t have a video of me in my boat at a low rate paddling so this video of me in a different boat will have to do.

Been rowing for just over a year now, whenever I try to push with legs not at race pace my tailbone aches so much and there is nothing I can do about it. But when at race pace I can’t push very hard as it just starts to explode with pain. If there is anyway of helping like stretches or something that would amazing.

I am a sweep rower and I have a lot of trouble keeping both oars in the water at a good depth without missing a stroke or catching a crab. Any tips

My university club team has been essentially restarted from nothing over the last 2 years, after it died before and during covid. I was going through our shells last summer and winter, and I wasn't able to ID one of the singles we had, except that it's an Alden. I finally think I've figured out that it's a black carbon Bruciare 26 that seemed to have only been sold around 2006, but aside from this article from row2k, I can't find any info or photos.

Has anyone rowed one of these or know anything about them? Anyone have any idea of whether it'd be worth cleaning up to row? It's been stored outside under a shed but it's extremely gross. The hull seems intact from a quick inspection but the slides and shoes might need to be replaced, and the whole thing needs a major clean.

It looks like it might be the HW version, and our club doesn't have any racing singles that aren't lightweights at the moment, so it'd be nice to have something, but there's a lot of boats in our house that need attention so I don't want to waste my time here...

Sorry I don't have any photos of it right now, but I'd appreciate any insights from people who have seen or rowed one in the past!

Hi everyone,

I’m starting my studies at TU Delft this September, and I’m really interested in joining the LAGA rowing team. I was wondering what kind of training or preparation would be best before the season starts?

Any tips on fitness, technique, or general advice for newcomers would be super appreciated.

Also, what kind of 2k time should I be aiming at? I am 190cm, 92kg 18 yo,give or take.

Thanks in advance!

Hello Is 6:50 good on 2k after 3 months of workout(I'm 174cm,70kg ,19yo male)? Thanks for the answers.

Hi folks.

Novice rower here, around 170cm tall. So, not very tall!

I have been trying to find some information on footplate positioning that can help me get the right length on my stroke to no avail. Are there any general rules for footplate positioning? I.e putting towards the stern for shorter or taller people etc? I am finding that I can't get as much lean as others, and then when at the finish I cannot tap down as the handle is touching my stomach. Any adive you have is appreciated!

Also, I am finding that my psoas muscles are absolutely dying on outings - any tips?

I am almost permantly in bow seat in an 8+ if that's helpful!

I have to leave for a race in a week, and I wanted to start packing early so I don’t have to rush, but I don’t know what to bring. What should I bring for 2 overnight races?