Hello again Reader

My training is back on track. It took a while after traveling to Head of the Charles to catch up on everything and then to return to the gym and in the boat (blisters – ugh).

Three weeks later, I’m on the water in an eight doing some speed work and WOW. Power. It’s there … when I ask for it, my body responds and delivers those tight puddles and a little bend on the oar shaft too.

So satisfying to get the payback after a short investment. I’m certain it’s the twice weekly weights and core strength work. Without it I do not get the same feeling of being strong through the water.

The December podcasts are all on drills and skills. We kick off with the reverse pick drill. It’s hard to do well. It’s challenging to teach. And it only works if you do it frequently – so that’s why I chose to start with a real goodie. If you’re on the erg – you can definitely do this drill, as can on-water rowers. It will help your power delivery and lengthen your stroke.

The AI future is coming

For our December Magazine article on rowing technique, we investigate artificial intelligence (AI) and whether it has a place in teaching coaching and improving rowing technique. The partial article is below – sign up to buy the full Masters Rowing Magazine.

Early warning – I will be taking a break over Christmas and New Year. Those who buy Faster Masters Rowing subscription training programs will get their January program before Christmas. And the podcast will also pause and re-start in the second week of January.

Row faster next year,

Rebecca

P.S. We restocked the waterproof socks… link below to buy.

This week’s podcast

December drills focus: Starting with a really hard exercise to master – the reverse pick drill. What it is, how to teach it and the results the drill will give you for your rowing. Click the image to watch.

Boathouse Chat for the Weekend

Any recommendations for a sculling camp week away in Feb? Europe only really – as I don’t want to travel too far, and may take the train. Must be warmer than the U.K.

Join the group and take part in the discussion.

Waterproof socks back in stock

Unique sock design with silhouettes of white single sculls overlaid on rippling water with a black heel and toe. The socks are waterproof, breathable and windproof.

We have mens and womens’ sizes ready to ship now.

Women US 6.5-9 (Euro 39-42) UK 6-8

Men – US 9.5-12 (Euro 43-46) UK 9-11

Buy Waterproof Socks

Can AI coach rowing?

I see mentions of artificial intelligence everywhere at the moment, but can AI (artificial intelligence) coach rowing?

Part of me has a self-destructive fascination with this – could a coach be replaced by a [good] machine? and part of me robustly defends the skill and experience which I’ve developed over years of coaching rowing to masters. Of course I can beat an algorithm!

Technique

Rowing is a repetitive sport and so it’s quite a good subject for a machine to do pattern-matching. If you have a template of good rowing, can you also find a video of a person rowing and align the two for comparison?

I selected one of a girl on an erg. It’s short (only 3 strokes) and shot from 90 degrees square off from the athlete.

Analysis

The software checks the movement pattern and then compares it to a range of rowing styles. These are listed as 16 variations of legs, back and arms (LBA) in boat, on the erg or at race pace. Plus the option of manual coaching with and without pauses, and oar slip analysis.

List of rowing style options

Each part of the stroke – finish, catch and sequence – is then given a score in comparison to the style selected and colour coded green, amber or red. During the video replay there’s an overlay of two coloured dot pairs on the leg and arm so you can see how the image recognition software is tracking actual movements. These also get colour coded at each part of the stroke.

Masters rowing photos

Sarah Stubbs’ crew rowing in Hobart, Australia

Click the image to see more masters rowing photos.

Whenever you are ready….

Here are ways Faster Masters Rowing can help you:

Align your training to your physical capacity with a program
Improve your technique in a single scull
Make your rowing club masters-friendly
Our services for rowing coaches

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