Rowing Chat

Hey people,

I'm going to Durham in October and I'm really keen to join the boat club (college and/or uni). I'm of a pretty good standard of fitness already but am a complete rowing novice, aside from using the erg at the gym. I'm pretty tall and I'm quite strong which I think could work in my favour.

However, over the summer, I really want to work out to build my strength/skills. Would anyone be able to give me any tips in terms of what I should be doing exercise-wise and if there are any nutritional tips you would recommend I would be v.grateful for them as well!

In addition to the above post from partoftheweekend, if you're not completely confident on your erg technique and don't want to get into bad habits (as good as videos can be, if you don't have someone who knows what they're doing there to tell you, you could be doing the wrong thing without really knowing), then do some cross training - cycling and swimming being the two key things that come to mind to help rowing.

Cycling - working many of the major muscles used in rowing
Swimming - same as above but also an incredibly good method of developing cardio and respiratatory systems which you will push to the limit in rowing.

If you are tall and strong as you say then I would suggest going for Durham Uni boat club, as long as you're willing to commit (getting up at 5am for a 6am session on the River Tyne in Newcastle, before lectures), but will reap the benefits!

College clubs are nowhere near as good, though a few have some strong crews - what college are you going to?

Look into joining a local rowing club through the summer, lots do learn to row schemes over the summer months so check out http://www.britishrowing.org/clubs-regions to find your local club and check it out

Nutrition just eat a lot and eat cleanly. I think its obvious to most people what they should be eating but motivation is the real problem. (try to keep you bodyfat at a medium/low percentage if possible).

Training wise, erg as much as possible. Watch videos online and try to erg in front of a mirror to get the technique down properly. When you feel like your driving with your legs and suspending off the handle with your body weight then you're probably doing the right thing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqVmMd7FdAA
is a good technique video.

Weights you want to be doing squats
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vELNQm42pdk
deadlifts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjBI9qxibTc
straight leg deadlifts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpzRX3slWjE

and then maybe press-ups, pull ups and dips should complete it. Do lots of core too, just youtube some core circuits or something.

One of the best exercises is cleans but its pretty technical and you will probably need a proper coach before trying it.

Also get used to pushing yourself. A lot of people spend a lot of time training their body without training their mind. Doing a good erg is very hard as you have to be able to sit on the redline for up to half an hour. Get into the mindset of never giving up, no matter what part of the training process your in.

Thanks - very helpful! I've just had a quick look at local club's and have found Goring Gap BC and they have a Learn 2 Row scheme which looks good.

I'll certainly get on doing more of the cycling and swimming.

I'm going to Chad's but as I'll be a Masters student I may not (or may) be able to commit to the early sessions on the Tyne - how many times a week would that be? How is Chad's boat club?

Made my college first boat for Mays

Nice .

I'm looking to row next year.

I was just wondering, are there any advantages of having done rowing after you finish university e.g. do some peope become professional rowers (if that even exists?).


(Not that I want to do it for the benefits, I'm just curious)

I'm looking to row next year.

I was just wondering, are there any advantages of having done rowing after you finish university e.g. do some peope become professional rowers (if that even exists?).


(Not that I want to do it for the benefits, I'm just curious)

I'm looking to row next year.

I was just wondering, are there any advantages of having done rowing after you finish university e.g. do some peope become professional rowers (if that even exists?).


(Not that I want to do it for the benefits, I'm just curious)

lovely row in the sun today, although abut 10 browns boats nearly crashed into us, not gonna be fun to row with them always out!

also, sunburn

Yes, the worst thing about rowing in Durham is Browns Boats during the summer - they don't have to obey any rules so they're generally all over the place going in the wrong direction. That's bad enough, but then when they just stop in stupid places it's even worse.

One time we were out and suddenly a light summer shower of rain came down so a few browns boats just sat under the arches of Elvet Bridge - we came rowing along and were like "Um can we get through?" and they got really annoyed!! It's like NO DON'T GO OUT IN A BOAT IF YOU DON'T WANT TO GET WET! DUH.

i know, absolute nightmare! there were some who were deliberately forming a line across the river so no one could get through! gonna have to start going in the mornings or evening to avoid them.