ROWING A BOAT IS AS GOOD FOR YOUR MIND, AS IT IS FOR YOUR BODY.
I
f there is a chance of being out after dark it’s a good planto carry a waterproof flashlight and perhaps some flares. A portable
GPS FOR BOAT, cellphone or
marine handheld vhf radio are
useful safety gear to consider carrying on long trips. If
possible keep these stowed in a compartment aboard or tied
to the boat in a waterproof sealed bag. Clothing is a
consideration. Wear or bring a sun hat.
Boat sunglasses will cut
reflective glare. Long sleeves or trouser legs can be rolled up
for tanning or rolled down to prevent burning.
B
ecause you face aft (backward) in a rowboat, you observethe places you’ve been instead of constantly watching where
you’re going, a refreshing viewpoint! A glance ahead every fewstrokes is enough to stay fully aware of your surroundings at
rowing speeds in open water.
S
electing your
oars depends on the type of rowing youplan to do and the boat used. A well made set of spruce
spoon oars is a good choice for an easily pulled, classic
rowboat. The oars should be correctly fitted to the beam
and length of the boat. Smaller
dinghies and tenders have
the oars set so their grips are
about two thumbs apart on the
return stroke. On larger craft
more leverage is gained, giving a
more powerful stroke, by
overlapping the grips a few
inches. Maneuvering is a little
easier with non-lapped oars,
particularly for a beginner.
L
ooking ahead is easiest atthe end of the “pull” phase of the stroke. Treat it as a gentle
stretch exercise turning your head first one way, then the
other way next time. For added visibility and ease of
handling in crowded conditions most
powerboats can be rowed
backwards or astern.
U
sing your oars correctly willmake a big difference in every
respect. When learning, simply
hold the oars at the same angle
for the entire stroke. Later, when
you’re more experienced try
dropping your wrists at the end
of each stroke. This will “feather”
the oars, bringing the blades
parallel to the water’s surface
reducing windage. Carry the
blade 2 or 3 inches above the
surface on the return stroke. A
foot brace will allow leg power to
be used and more importantly
anchor manufacturer your position in the
boat. To maximize your stroke use your leg muscles, back,
and finally pull by bending your arms.
T
he oarlock and seat arrangement in certain boats enable the rower to shift position and row facing forward. The
Whitehall Spirit 14 rows quite well this way. The most
common problem for novice rowers is overdoing it. Pulling
on the oars just feels so great as the boat surges ahead with
every stroke, that people don’t notice their muscles,
unaccustomed to this new activity, have been strained. Take
it easy, row gently and firmly, glance ahead every third or
fourth pull to see what’s coming up. Relax, enjoy the fresh
air, the sounds of the water and one of the oldest pleasurable
water experiences known.
P
ull with your bladesjust under the surface, not buried deep underwater. The
pitch or angle of the blade as it enters the water at the
beginning of the stroke is critical to controlling the oar. If
the pitch angle is too far forward the blade will “wash out”
and splash along the surface. If the pitch angle is too far
back the blade will want to dive deep underwater. Continue
to adjust the pitch angle and you will find it is easy to
determine when you have it right.
Bring the boat up to an even speed gradually and keep itsteady. Sometimes pulling too hard will actually slow the
boat by trying to force it to climb up on it’s own bow wave.
Row smoothly and evenly applying comfortable power
rather than high tempo.
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