Lifelong Rowing Blog #24


                                                                Photo Credit:  J. Zydeck

See in the Mind’s Eye

 

This morning I interviewed Bill Schaudt, North Suburban Crew Coach and Sculling Coach, 

about mental techniques to prepare for the Fall Racing Season.  Bill has been my sculling 

coach for numerous years, and he has given us plenty of pre-race talks.

 

According to Bill, a coxswain can help their rowers walk through the start of the race, the cadence, specific calls they will make, when they will start a sprint.  Ideally, walk your team through the race a day before. Having their eyes closed, will help them visualize the race.  If 

you are a coxswain who would like to learn from the best there are recordings on YouTube of experienced, national team coxswains calling races such as  the Head of the Charles.  Below

is an example.

 

https://www.row2k.com/video/Coxswain-Recording-PWCA-Men-s-1V--Head-of-the-Schuylkill-Regatta/26974/

 

When I race as a sculler at the Head of the Hooch, my head is pretty crowded with thoughts of steering, passing a boat, getting passed by a boat.  Beyond all that going through my head, I have already mentally ticked off the starting chute, the stroke rate I want to reach, getting a feel for the current.  Then I already start to look for signposts along the way, the viewing stands, the halfway point, the island, and the last bridge where I am going to pick up my stroke rate.  I am also evaluating what’s working and not working….especially in terms of stroke rate.

 

Safety Tip:

 

As a sculler, wearing bright clothes, makes it easier for others to see you.  Next blog, I will 

share a few ideas about lighting your boat.

 

Rowing Workout:

 

One of my former sweep rowing coaches had us divide the race into sections; for example, in a 5000-meter race, we would do a 500-meter start, some long pieces such as 1000 meters with a one- or two-minute rest and then a 300-to-500-meter sprint. Doing the actual work in practice will aid in visualizing your race strategy.

 

Rowing Drill:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-CW4XqHg8w

 

Catch to Release, Release to Catch Drill.  Above is a video of a drill we have been doing off and on for the last two years.  I would not recommend it for the novice rower, but once you are 

stable in your boat, it is a great drill to experience resistance at the catch.  It also helps to ensure using the proper muscles at the beginning of the stroke.

 

Ciao for Now!

 

 

Terra L. Levin

Lifelong Rower

312.925.9895

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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