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Coaching

Arc Length and Gearing

Many coaches contact us for advice on gearing and in particular choice of oar length. General advice is easy to give knowing that in reality a lot of crews now use equipment that is adjustable within a small specification range.

From Kleshnev (2007) we know the following:

  • 60deg catch angle - twice as heavy
  • 70deg catch angle - three times heavier
  • 80deg catch angle - six times as heavier
Gearing

If we consider the information shown in the graph, we can see that loading is significantly increased depending where the catch angle is actually taken.

The first consideration therefore be "are my crews rowing the ideal catch angle" and if so then we can fine tune the oar length to suit the ability and strength of the crew.

Our three step process is as follows:

  1. Select oars in a length range to suit the ability of the crew.
  2. Encourage length of an effective stroke as a priority.
  3. Fine tune rigging and oars for final loading effect.

Reference:

Kleshnev, V 2007, ‘Facts. Did you know that…’Rowing Biomechanics Newsletter, vol.7,no.72, retrieved 16 August 2010

The Rowing Stroke Arc

We are often asked questions relating to the rowing stroke arc and methods coaches use to position their athletes in the boat to achieve an efficient arc or length of stroke.

One point that is often raised is a measurement used to set a ‘back choc’ setting for the crew to adjust to. As most equipment manufacturers refer measurements for rigging to ‘the center of the pin’ as a datum line, it’s wise to always work to the pin as a reference when keeping records or setting measurements in the boat. Some coaches use the face of the oarlock as a reference so you need to be clear what measurements you are using if you want to be precise or need to take this difference into account if using other coach’s methods or measurements.

Using the ‘back choc’ method, a mark is set a distance behind the centre line of the pin in which the rower can reference when setting the foot stretcher position and its normal to use the centre of the rear wheel of the seat as the point to align to. Many coaches use a measurement between 62cm and 66cm depending on the size of the athletes. Basically this is a ‘rule of thumb’ measurement that in most cases positions the athletes so that a finish angle of between 30-34 degrees is achieved for sweep rowing.  

This saves time in actually setting, marking and working to a set angle at the finish. This is a starting point for the coach who would then go out on the water to observe/video and make changes as required for total crew alignment.

Coaches who have gone to the trouble of setting out a boat so they know what finish and catch angles are achieved with certain rigs and crew size, have normally noted a corresponding distance that the athlete sits behind the pin and is confident of using the ‘back chock’ method.

Many manufacturers now have a measurement scale set in the boat to reference, but you must remember with wing riggers that allow for the pin position to move relative to the stretcher adjustment tracks, that the scale is set with the rigger in its standard setting position, usually marked on the saxboard with a datum line.

Marking and setting the crew to an angle marked on the boat in each seat will give the coach the experience of how the build of the athlete will alter the measurement recorded for the ‘back choc’ method where the trunk/stomach determines this setting and not leg length. As Span and inboard relationship also effect the positioning of the athlete, these measurements must also be taken into account when using the ‘back choc’ method.

An ideal rowing/sweep arc is considered to be approx. 90 degrees, made up of a finish angle of approx. 33 degrees and a catch angle of approx. 57 degrees. For sculling 110 degrees with a catch angle of 70 degrees is common for International level rowers. This assumes a well-proportioned and flexible athlete using a suitable choice of rig with high technical ability to achieve these ideals.  Many coaches of course do not have all these ideals and so would be faced with a smaller arc and have to make a choice of where to position the athletes within this arc range to get the most affective stroke for the crew.

Some coaches like to see a long catch angle and others feel a particular finish angle is more important and an inexperienced coach of course may not really consider either method when setting a crew in the boat. It’s difficult to build a clear picture of how you wish your crews to row from crew to crew and year to year if you do not have a standard to work to so it’s wise for an inexperienced coach to become familiar with what these measurements really mean and how they impact on a crews technique.

We see ‘back choc’ measurements on boats ranging from 52 to 66cm which cover schoolgirls up to National men’s crews which would suggest a very varied finish angle to the stroke is being rowed by some crews, or a large range of size in athletes. It’s most likely an emphasis on catch angle is being followed, in line with present day thinking, by the crews who cannot achieve the desired 90 degree arc length for them to be working to a 52cm ‘back choc’ setting. The coach may have determined this works well from experience but it does have implications on technique and oar handling in certain conditions.

Manufacturers work to standards that offer the greatest flexibility of adjustment for customers and it’s common for adjustment ranges to vary between boat sizes for shorter lighter rowers and taller heavier athletes.

At Sykes we have a range of variables built into our range of boats to ensure that customers get the best range of adjustment for their size.

In recent years with the growth of Masters rowing, we have seen many athletes who encounter problems of adjustment in certain boats. As an example an Olympic standard male rower weighing 100kg, will most often have a different build and proportion, than a 60 year old 100kg Masters rower, which will affect how they set up and adjust in the boat. It’s always wise to discuss the type of rowers that are likely to use a new boat being ordered, so any suggested changers or advice can be given.

Points to be considered when assessing your crew are:-

  • The Span/Inboard relationship
  • The effective stroke length that is being rowed compared to recorded stroke length measured which takes into account excessive over reaching or layback rather than drive in the water.
  • As with all rigging issues, trial or test pieces should be rowed to determine what works best for your crew and rating should be taken into consideration in the final outcome if only short test pieces are conducted.

Seat Height and Seat Packers

The latest Carbon Seats used in the Sykes Carbon Composite boats have a lower profile than timber/synthetic seats and hence have a largerspacer/packer between the seat and undercarriage to maintain the seat height in the boat as with the Timber or Synthetic seats. Thisallows interchange of seat types when required by our customers but also has the added benefit of agreater range of adjustment should coaches wish to fine tune biomechanical set up within the boat. A change has also been made to the “seat packer” itself on the carbon seat, and a series of nylon bushes in increments of 6,12,18mm are used on the Carbon seats.

Why do some coaches wish to alter seat height?

seat

In general terms, rowers sit as low in the boat as possible to ensure a low centre of gravity for stability, however our experience over the years and inpidual build of rowers determines that we do not and cannot just set the seat as low as possible and expect rowers to fit in with that theory and years of experience have determined the best practical set up for all our boat classes.

In the sculls and pairs, the limitations of the depth of hull and the heel height setting required by some rowers, means that they need to raise the seat height in relation to the water to achieve the required seat to heel height for comfort and efficient performance. It’s for reasons like this that slight variations are seen between boat classes in seat to water height and why coaches make their own modifications for individual rowers.It helps to understand that from a boat builders point of view, the seat to water height has been determined when the boat was designed and can only be modified by a small amount without effecting other parts of the boat such as rigger height. Each time the seat height is raised or lowered that has a direct effect on the height of the oarlock above the seat, which is the most common adjustment that rowers make when rigging a boat.

We often have coaches make requests such as a very low heel height which often may mean a change in the construction of the hull to achieve this with the result being a higher centre of gravity for all the crew not just perhaps the inpidual that required the low heel height. This may affect the balance to some degree so careful consideration should be given to any changes requested to construction to ensure other problems are not introduced as a result.

Determining the correct hull size to suit your use is the most important decision as a guarantee of the best set up for your crew is assured.

Many clubs, due to limited resources of course, try to purchase a boat to suit a very broad range of user which really means some users will be compromised to a degree or have to make many changes to achieve a more suitable set up, a time consuming and frustrating pastime. 

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