The athlete pathway for masters is different from other groups. What can clubs and Federations do to enable masters to succeed by changing the structure of our sport.
Timestamps
00:40 What is our goal for masters in rowing?
Should masters be allowed to leave and rejoin the club? One of the differences compared to youth rowers is that we remain in the sport for a long time. Youth, school, Seniors all have a long term athlete plan for the pathway of their progress. Masters are not the same. Our goal may be to race and achieve high results - but it is not always. The long term development plan is very different. Some join for participation and to learn how to row; others are there all the time, training and racing. Others like the weekend rows and train for fitness, pleasure and friendship - they may also race but on a shorter term horizon leading up to an event.
04:30 Looping in and out of rowing
Many masters remain in the sport for a long time. What is possible for you right now? Life stage is important. In your 30s you may have a high pressure job. Or a flexible worker who can train during the working day hours. Some masters retire to row - actively. If you have children, under 14s are different from over 14s and can look after themselves for a time. Care responsibilities for aging parents are also another different group of masters. Our goal is continued participation - can you manage to stay involved on a level suitable for where you are right now?
07:00 Club membership structures don't align If you are required to buy an annual membership and are injured, this makes people decide not to rejoin their rowing club.
07:30 Create enabling structures
These allow members to loop in and out of masters rowing participation over time. How can you stay involved while injured? Join social events with the club group. Can memberships be by quarter, term or semester?
Groups in rowing clubs - often LTR, fitness, racing groups are common. As a club how to you enable members to move between groups in a way that reflects their life circumstance? How frequently do you re-assess group members? Can people see a pathway so they can see what the next step is for them in their rowing journey? What does it take to move from intermediate to elite racing?
10:00 Long term athlete development for masters
How can you make it possible for members to stay involved over the long term in your club? These structures might make masters rowing long-term participant so we can remain engaged with the sport over the ultra-long term. Athlete development needs to be aligned with an individual's goals, skills improvement, not necessarily always-upward movement towards high racing achievement. Masters pathways are not necessarily linear - people can loop into rowing and then step away and loop out for a while. Making this happen is structural, requires a strategy for leaders who are involved in masters rowing. What can you do in your club to help?
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Getting the correct range of boat types and boat weights to suit your club group is important. What to look for, how to assess your fleet and plan for the future.
Resource: Rowing Club Management Strategy - how to write one
3 Value Bombs
Review the stock of boats and equipment in your club and how they align with the needs of your athletes. We realised we needed to workout if our boat fleet matched the masters group needs. Assess the weight class of boat to the athlete weights in your group.
03:00 What weight class was your boat designed for?
Look for the manufacturer's plate - often in the bow or the front of the stroke's foot well. It shows the design hull type, year of manufacture and the average weight of athlete it's designed for. Club asset registers list all the boats in the club ownership. We added the information about the boat design weight.
04:30 List all the boats in each boat class that you own (8, 4s, 2s and 1x) and classify them to the athlete weight they are designed for. Broadly we chose 3 categories - light weight boats (under 70kg), mid-weight boats (70-85kg) and heavy weight boats ( over 85kg).
Our list included boat name, age of boat, weight class of boat and whether lightweight, mid-weight or heavyweight. We added in how old the boat was and whether it was due for retirement.
It was then clear where to skew of boats matched our athlete weights.
Have we got one boat in each weight class? Which are the most popular boats which athletes like to row? This shows you where you are short of boats by boat class and boat weight to align with what your group needs, frequency of boat use per week/month, and which boats your masters want to row. This is not static, it changes each year as membership and priorities change. This information was then put into the prioritisation for refurbishing boats, fund raising for new boats and spare parts / minor repairs list (consumables e.g. shoes, slides, gates).
08:00 Set out a 3-4 year programme to get your boat fleet more aligned with your group needs.
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What's masters rowing like in Ireland? Gerry Murphy is Chair of the Masters Representative Committee for Rowing Ireland.
A big increase in member registration has happened and masters are now 18% of total rowing registrations. Clubs see the benefit of having masters groups. There are many other regattas offering masters events - they will put in events entries secretaries are generally willing. Many heads of the river - Galway and Enniskillen - which include masters. Overseas guests are welcome in Ireland.
Most clubs have some form of masters rowing group - including Skibbereen who started a group recently. Gerry's club, Neptune, started an adult learn to row class and most of the graduates are in the rowing leisure group - there are 70 members now. They do tours and exchanges with clubs in France and Portugal. Innovations in masters rowing.
There is a coach education programme.
Most clubs want masters because they see the benefits as they volunteer and grow the club. The 1k Classic (Carrick on Shannon) is a new event which Gerry hopes will become the official Masters Rowing Championships in future.
Future plans - a proper structure for masters programmes development, coaching development, a co-ordinator for masters in every club who can give guidance. It would be nice to get better equipment as well, possibly dedicated masters boats. External guidance to Rowing Ireland may be possible for masters. We love it and we have a smile on our faces - folks are jealous of us. Gerry encourages people to find their level in the sport and enjoying that.
App alternatives for rowing electronics and how to mount in your boat. Phone mounts and taking a phone in a boat so you feel confident using it.
What's in the programme this month? - Two programmes - for 1k racing in May or June and another one for July / August peak. - Land training and strength and conditioning programme. - Lifestyle - ways to prepare yourself before going rowing. - Performance - bladework technique versus erg technique and exercises to get your bladework skills back. - Different warmups for different workouts. - Bonus gallery of rowing tattoos.
Rowing electronics were getting elderly at the club and so we reviewed what we needed. Alternatives considered were - apps which can be used in boats; Lowering the cost to membership of tracking simple measures like time, split and stroke rate.
04:15 A mount for the phone I used a Quad Lock mount phone case which includes the female mount. It came with three different lengths of velcro. I loop this around the wing rigger or the footstretcher in any boat. The Quad Lock I bought was a version for an arm band velcro strap - which is very long.
3D printed mount that goes over a wing rigger. Has an NK mount on one end. The silhouette of the profile of the curve for the mount is unique to each wing rigger design. It isn't a very snug fit because you need flex to get it on and off the wing rigger. The second one has a curve which allows a water bottle to sit on the far side of the rigger. This version has a Quad Lock mount instead of the NK mount. Thirdly a footstretcher metal bracket which slots into the saw tooth adjustment for your foot stretcher adjustment. It tightens with a screw knob and I chose a Quad Lock mount.
11:00 Rowing Mindset Webinar with Jack Burns - teaching how to train your mind to balance the body training you do. Improve your ability to focus and avoid distractions. It will be recorded and then available on demand after 23rd April 2024.
13:00 Buy these from 3D Row in Australia
The Flying Boatman in UK
14:00 Hacks to take phones in boats. Take a look at having phones in boats as an alternative to rowing electronics you've used to date.
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Microsoft Word - Parent Communication 002 The Role of Parents
The major role of a parent is Support.
Most parents want to do as much as possible to help their children be the best that they can be and in so doing often put pressure on to their children that becomes unbearable and causes them to withdraw from the pressure situations or finish participating altogether.
Often parents are never aware of this situation as the family never complain or let the parents know, as they do not want to hurt them. They understand they were only doing their best and the easiest way to solve the whole issue is to withdraw.
This is the case with some many young people who never realise their potential and adults think what a shame it is and only if this or that had happened.
The facts are that most felt under pressure from parents or adults and felt they could not be sure of coping so, instead of letting parents down, they make excuses to withdraw and find something else to do where their parents were not involved and would not feel disappointed.
By John Parker
A former international cricketer and sports management expert from New Zealand.
Transporting your single scull on a car roof rack can be a convenient way to get your boat to the water especially if you can't get a rack at your rowing club. Car topping to regattas and that important first drive after buying a new boat means you may have safety concerns and challenges. From ensuring stability to adhering to road safety measures, here are some tips to help you transport your single scull with confidence .
One common concern among rowers is whether it's necessary to tie a bowball down when car topping a single scull on a roof rack. The answer? It depends. If your car roof rack is sturdy and well-designed, you may not need to tie the bowball down. However, if you notice any wobbling or instability, it's advisable to secure the bowball to prevent potential accidents or damage to your boat and car.
To tie down the bow ball securely, follow these steps:
Ron Sneddon kindly wrote us with this additional advice.
As the principal means of securing the shell to the car, I would respectfully suggest that the main roof rack and supplemental brackets should be covered first and that the bow ball and stern straps receive second priority. The fore and aft straps should be ancillary, and desirable, restraints.
You also caution against allowing a twist in the straps. I have found that a half twist will most often cancel the tendency of the straps to "flutter", especially the longer fore & aft ones. The flutter is caused by the flow field around the moving car interacting with the strap causing a Von Karman vortex street. I did a Google search and found several illustration of this aerodynamic effect, which is pretty simple and easy to understand. When I had a shell to transport I tied down every strap with a half twist so as to not have to interrupt the trip to fix a flutter.🙂 The strap flutter might be responsible for fatigue failure(s) in lightly built rowing shells, never mind the annoyance.
Ron Sneddon, Masters Rower
2. Stabilising Your Car Roof Rack
Another issue rowers often face is a wobbly car roof rack when carrying a single scull. A shaky roof rack can be nerve-wracking and potentially dangerous, especially when driving at higher speeds. To address this concern, ensure that your roof rack is properly installed and tightened according to the manufacturer's instructions. Additionally, consider using additional support, such as foam blocks or tie-down straps, to stabilise the boat and minimise wobbling during transit.
Before loading your single scull onto your car roof rack, it's essential to confirm that your vehicle is compatible with carrying a boat of its size and weight. Check your car's owner's manual and local road code to determine the maximum weight, overhang and capacity and any specific guidelines for roof rack usage. Additionally, make sure that your roof rack bars are wide enought apart to accommodate a single scull securely and safely. Most cars will need a specialist rowing boat rack attached to the roof rack.
Find local suppliers of rowing boat racks for cars.
While transporting your single scull on a car roof rack, take precautions to protect both your boat and your vehicle. Inspect the roof rack and boat regularly whenever you stop on the journey. Check all straps and tie-downs in case they have shifted during transit. Additionally, consider using protective padding or covers to prevent scratches or dents to your boat and car.
If you are like a friend of mine who has a coastal double scull which is heavy. She uses a roof rack that mounts onto the tow bar - it allows a tip to 45 degrees and she can get the boat onto that, then push it forward onto the main roof rack bar.
I think Rhino sell these and I’m sure other brands do as well. This one has the specifications:
I found all these rowing car rack systems on the Rowing Directory - bookmark the page for when you next need to find a rowing product supplier.
Travel safe!
What rig should masters rowing boats and oars use? How can clubs set up their equipment to suit as wide a range of athletes as possible?
00:45 I got a pair of mis-matched sculls and so I'm on a rant.... this is easy to improve. Comfort in the boat and ease of use are the most important for rigging club boats. All clubs should have standardised rig across the boat fleet.
Your rig enables you to move the boat in comfort - your torso and legs. Be able to sit comfortably at the boat in the finish. Look for your shins not hitting the deck, hold the oar so forearm at the same height as the oar shaft and at the catch that you can get your hips through the work - at least hips level with the face of the gate. [If you don't know what this is, buy our Sculling Intensive course and learn how to find work through the pin and ways to adjust to suit your needs.]
03:30 Oarlock height and forearm height are related It's important that your forearms are level with or above the shaft and the oar handle. Otherwise you cannot get weight into the hands as you press the handle down.
04:20 Standardise the boat rig
Sculling spread of 159 or 160 cm; seat to heel measurement of 16-18 cm; oars /sculls 286 cm long and 87 cm inboard, maybe longer oars for men or younger athletes. Note the inboards are the same because men/women use the same boats.
Sweep rigging span of 84 cm; seat to heel 16-18cm. Oars 370 - 373 cm long. Inboards standardise from 114 for an eight down to 117 for a pair.
Put tape on the oars with measurements e.g. 370:114 so it's easy to see what the oar is supposed to be set at.
Height spacer washers - put one above and one below the oarlock/gate on every boat. So the oarlock sits at the midpoint above the oarlock to saxboard sill height. So you can easily see if the heights have been moved.
08:20 Shoes with adjustable sizes - we bought ours from Ankaa with velcro adjustment around the heels. Also home-made velcro instep straps for ladies to use larger shoes are cheap to make.
09:20 Spacer Placer tool - if you want the lanyard when you buy it, mention Faster Masters Rowing. Buy from Revolution Rowing
10:00 Oar designs for easy adjustment include Croker's clamp on the button to release and reset the position without needing a screwdriver and tools. Give your rowers autonomy so they can adjust the boat and oars to make them comfortable for their needs.
How do masters club groups organise their priorities? Covering training, equipment, coaching, racing/trips/camps, finances - this is a must-listen to episode if you're frustrated by your club leadership.
00:45 Managing your "champagne tastes on a beer budget".
01:00 The State of Masters Rowing 2023 report. The structure of our sport needs revision - learn to row classes are set to grow and that has implications on clubs.
03:15 What are the priorities for your masters rowing club?
Rowing club strategy for masters includes operational requirements. Boats, equipment, oars, electronics and indoor rowing machines. List what you'd like to have access to and what you have now - a gap analysis.
Equipment review - list all the boats available, its age and the athlete weight it's designed for. We found 3 types - women only (70kg), mixed crew weights (80kg), mens boats (90kg+). Also consider their state of repair - are they at the end of life? Which suit beginners (flat bottom boats, pontoon floats); which suit more experienced crews?
What are the workout priorities for your club? Do you race, do tours, coastal, fitness workouts and what times of day do people want to train?
09:00 Training for racing - ideas from James Dundon of 612 Endurance Rowing Club. A set of principles which members sign up for. Access to the building shared with other groups. Where can masters be flexible and give priority to other groups in the club.
What would you like to do during a rowing year? Do you train harder before regattas when more people train together - could you get priority at that time?
Each of the training group leaders or coaches can name their priorities (boats, club access times and regatta dates). Where is there overlap in desire between the groups?
Masters are well-placed to support the whole club with fund raising. This can be part of the group needs discussion. The members were surveyed to ask for their perceived priorities.
18:00 The influence your first coach has on your rowing. Beginners get ideas about rowing from their first coach which they take into their intermediate rowing experience and which hold back advancement. When should you square the blade? The answer is 'it depends'. This is not satisfactory for intermediate athletes - let us explain why.
https://fastermastersrowing.com/member-register/vip-day-focus-on-boat-skills/
Bonuses include a self-test assessment for benchmarking your rowing skills.
I got this message from a master's rower which was very telling. Equal treatment in the eyes of the club as a whole speaks volumes.
"Our masters squad are having a bit of a rethink around our operational requirements and training principles as a group. Have you got access to any other clubs “rules of engagement” that we might be able to have a look at? We don’t need to reinvent the wheel - just keen not to miss anything and ensure we have equal treatment in the eyes of the Club as a whole."
Masters committee member
If this is an issue for your masters rowing group, have a read of the resources I shared.
Rebecca Caroe wrote this article Frustrations of masters rowers as a good starting point because the inverse of the frustration can be an operational principle.
- Our training boats are shared with the junior novices.
- We get access to borrow racing boats from the main boat fleet before our major regattas
- We can use coach boats when the main club aren't using them
- We run the club's annual regatta and support other club fund raisers.
- We get one vote on the main club AGM and we have a representative at all club committee meetings
- Our equipment is owned and insured by the main club and we fund raise for boats suitable for our needs which we get exclusive use.
And 612 Endurance club wrote a mission statement about coaching principles for masters rowing.
James Dundon (the coach) shared it with Faster Masters Rowing.
James Dundon, Coach, 612 Endurance Rowing
- 612 Endurance believes in creating a training environment that fully supports the pursuit of mastering the sculling stroke (and the rowing stroke).
- We appreciate the complexity of that pursuit by breaking it down to the essentials of catching the boat without disturbing its run, hanging smoothly through our shoulders during the leg drive, and dynamically harnessing our hip, back, and arm power to complete the drive.
- We doggedly work on a wide variety of drills to perfect our balance and improve our rhythm.
- We believe in creating a competitive culture at practice that encourages all participants to share in providing positive and honest feedback to one another.
- In these regards our practices can best be described as a Non-Zero Sum Game. In a Non-Zero Sum Game all participants could achieve a gain or all participants could experience a loss. We attempt to achieve this standard by creating handicapped margins, demonstrating best possible technique as we teach and perform drills, rowing in team boats with one another, and monitoring and adjusting our approach as needed.
- Achieving our standards works when every participant communicates in a tone that demonstrates a sincere interest that the recipient will benefit from our observations.
- Our confidence in one another derives from the feeling of respect we share. Passive aggressiveness destroys that respect and we will not tolerate its use.
- We are excited about testing our skills in competition.
- We support one another in that pursuit by creating a competitive environment at practice that exceeds the difficulty of our races.
- We push one another at practice in creative and surprising ways to enhance our adaptability. In that realm we occasionally fail. In those moments, we gather our composure, complete our work to the best of our abilities, and we leave it all on the water.
- We do not cling to anger or resentment. We recognize that those emotions arise in the pursuit of extraordinary challenges and we embrace them as opportunities to learn and grow.
- We believe in mastering the sculling stroke in the single as preparation for success in both the single and team boat rowing.
- We select team boats based on single speed, athlete synergy, and proficiency of sculling technique.
We need to map an athlete pathway for masters. All other parts of rowing have this as it guides federations, funding, coach resources and competition. Why don't masters have a pathway?
01:00 Rebecca's advocacy work to get masters taken seriously, our needs to be noted. Speaking out on behalf of masters as the fastest-growing part of the rowing community. Would people who run the sport and set policy acknowledge the needs of masters?
We are not the same as youth rowers - what's right for them is not right for us.
This is one aspect of big-picture policy setting for masters. Pathways guide policy for sport and I hope this will enable masters to be part of the overall plan for sport in your club / region / country.
04:00 Systems thinking is a framework we can use to find answers for masters needs. A call for a working group to create the pathway and change our sport to become masters-friendly. Rebecca's slides are below.
06:00 Systems Thinking for Masters Rowing speech
The situation in 2019 - what is broken in masters rowing? The Frustrations of Masters Rowers article.
08:45 How masters come to the sport and how the sport of rowing organises around masters - clubs and federations' roles. What is needed for "Rowing For Life"? 1
0:15 Four things that help us to solve the problems faced by masters rowers. A list of solutions already in place to help masters overcome the frustrations listed earlier.
Three of the 9 solutions are:
15:15 The Athlete Pathway for masters
As it is now - starting with learn to row. The learning journey is not smooth and needs to include intermediate stages where athletes masters parts of what's needed to race well in competition. It's rare for someone to jump up these levels.
Includes 2-5 years of racing with people whose learning is equivalent to yours. Masters train fewer times a week compared to young athletes and so it takes us longer to acquire the same level of skill and capability at the end of a novice year.
Federations should acknowledge this as a status - providing credibility. Clubs need to continue learn to row classes. Regattas should offer racing in these classifications. Hyper-local events are needed for this group of new masters learning to race.
Diversity and inclusion fails if it doesn't also include anti-agist work for masters.
20:45 Get the free advocacy articles for yourself or your club.
Please invite Rebecca to speak to your group and hear this presentation.
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