Surfboat rowing is a Surf Lifesaving event which is a race from the beach to a turning buoy, which is 400 meters out to sea, and back to the beach. A surfboat consists of four oarsmen and one person that stands and steers (sweep).
Surfboat rowing technique is different to that of flat water rowing or sculling technique due to rough surf conditions, the different size and shape boat as well as the total weight of the boat which oarsmen must propel through the water. The boat with the crew and equipment weighs around 850kilograms, which is about twice the weight of a flat water rowing boat.
Flat water oarsmen row at 24 - 26 strokes per minute. A surfboat crew rows at 28 - 30 strokes per minute to reach their maximum speed on flat water and 40 strokes per minute during acceleration from a stationary position. The reason for this vast difference in stroke rates is due to the difference in boat weights and due to the difference in shape between the two boats. Sculling boats are narrow, light and glides well whilst the oars are out the water (recovery phase). The surfboat does not glide well and at full speed travels at about 16km/hour where the flat water boats reach speeds up to 27km/hour.
Surfboat rowing technique is different to that of flat water rowing or sculling technique due to rough surf conditions, the different size and shape boat as well as the total weight of the boat which oarsmen must propel through the water. The boat with the crew and equipment weighs around 850kilograms, which is about twice the weight of a flat water rowing boat.
Flat water oarsmen row at 24 - 26 strokes per minute. A surfboat crew rows at 28 - 30 strokes per minute to reach their maximum speed on flat water and 40 strokes per minute during acceleration from a stationary position. The reason for this vast difference in stroke rates is due to the difference in boat weights and due to the difference in shape between the two boats. Sculling boats are narrow, light and glides well whilst the oars are out the water (recovery phase). The surfboat does not glide well and at full speed travels at about 16km/hour where the flat water boats reach speeds up to 27km/hour.
The Catch Phase – phase 1
Flat water oarsmen have a very fluent rowing style and are coached to reach as far forward as possible, “the catch phase”, and keep their backs at a five degree angle forward. Surfboat oarsmen should never try reach as far forward as possible (especially if the boat is still accelerating from a stand still) as this is not a powerful drive position (think of trying to squat a heavy weight as low down to the floor as possible). Shorter strokes are very powerful and are required to get the boat to planing speed. As the blade catches water, the oarsman’s arms must remain straight whilst he drives with his legs.
Flat water oarsmen have a very fluent rowing style and are coached to reach as far forward as possible, “the catch phase”, and keep their backs at a five degree angle forward. Surfboat oarsmen should never try reach as far forward as possible (especially if the boat is still accelerating from a stand still) as this is not a powerful drive position (think of trying to squat a heavy weight as low down to the floor as possible). Shorter strokes are very powerful and are required to get the boat to planing speed. As the blade catches water, the oarsman’s arms must remain straight whilst he drives with his legs.
The Takeout Phase – phase 2
Surfboat oarsmen row with hands shoulder width apart and straighten their backs to 90 degrees immediately after the “catch phase”. 90 degrees is a strong position which ones lower back can handle better with heavier loads than it would at 85 degrees. At the “takeout phase” oarsmen’s backs are at 95 degrees for a stronger finish. Once the oarsman brings the oar handle against his sternum he must push the handle down, toward his legs, to get the blade out the water.
Surfboat oarsmen row with hands shoulder width apart and straighten their backs to 90 degrees immediately after the “catch phase”. 90 degrees is a strong position which ones lower back can handle better with heavier loads than it would at 85 degrees. At the “takeout phase” oarsmen’s backs are at 95 degrees for a stronger finish. Once the oarsman brings the oar handle against his sternum he must push the handle down, toward his legs, to get the blade out the water.
The Recovery Phase – phase 3
This phase begins with the oarsmen straightening his arms before returning to the catch phase by leading with his shoulders, back, and then flexing his legs whilst keeping his airway open by keeping his neck extended. The oarsman's knees must not bend until his hands have past over them. The recovery phase must not be too quick because the boat is moving at maximum speed immediately after the takeout phase, whilst everyone’s body weight is nearest to the bow. This phase allows for recovery for the oarsman’s muscles as not much work is done during this phase. Rushing this phase will increase the crews’ stroke rate and cause a bow to stern rocking movement which will negatively affect the boats speed.
This phase begins with the oarsmen straightening his arms before returning to the catch phase by leading with his shoulders, back, and then flexing his legs whilst keeping his airway open by keeping his neck extended. The oarsman's knees must not bend until his hands have past over them. The recovery phase must not be too quick because the boat is moving at maximum speed immediately after the takeout phase, whilst everyone’s body weight is nearest to the bow. This phase allows for recovery for the oarsman’s muscles as not much work is done during this phase. Rushing this phase will increase the crews’ stroke rate and cause a bow to stern rocking movement which will negatively affect the boats speed.
The three pictures and the short video clip represent the three above phases discussed. The video clip of me doing a short bout of rowing on the ergo emphasizes good rowing technique. Notice how straight the chord stays throughout the entire rowing movement.
Clinton Wreghitt
(Sports Scientist and South African under 23 oarsman)
Clinton Wreghitt
(Sports Scientist and South African under 23 oarsman)
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