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First time on the Water and how to Manoeuvre the Boat 

First time in the boat - Scary? - No
How to Manoeuvre the Boat
Please print this document and use to remind yourself and the athlete of the correct way to row with waters on the water and feather and square correctly.
On Water Rowing Course Download
File Size: 25056 kb
File Type: pdf
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​We strongly suggest that the athlete has already seen the how to row wall-chart before getting in the boat so that they have a basic understanding of the rowing stroke.

It is also vital that they have a basic understanding of the correct posture and sequence before undertaking this lesson.  If they have not already completed the Ergo series of skills, then we strongly suggest having them view the video in Ergo Skills 1 (click here) Additionally, they need to understand the basics of feathering the sculling blade with their fingers, not their wrists.  See Rowing Skills 1 - Before the Boat​.

In this lesson the athletes row with their oars flat on the water, a relaxed grip is vital to do this effectively as the handle needs to move with changes in the boat and the water surface. It is crucial that this skill is learned well before attempting to row with oars off the water.

To square the oar all that is needed is a small movement of the fingers to start then when the athlete pushes with their legs the blade will assume the correct position in the water.

To feather the oar at the end of the stroke, merely use the fingers again to commence the feather and push the hands away then the oar will automatically feather and run along the water.

​Remember a relaxed grip is vital to executing this skill correctly and make sure that the blade is flat on the water all the way until the oar is covered at the catch.  Many athletes will try to push the handle down just before the catch, and this must be avoided to complete the drill correctly.

Once this lazy feather and oars on the water rowing skill are understood the next skill lesson in the series, (Key Skill 4) will focus on posture and sequence. 

In the video above we discuss how to teach rowing with oars flat on the water and how to correctly execute the lazy feather skill at both the catch and the finish.  The pdf to the right below contains the most essential aspects, and we suggest that you print this and take it with you to follow as needed.

​For Members:​​
Extra videos with further information rowing with lazy feather and oars on the water:  ​
  • Use a Grip to learn to Feather
  • The vital importance of grip and relaxation
  • Lazy Feather - How to use it to teach the recovery
  • John on Lazy Feather
  • Device For Handle grip​​
For Members:​
​For when the athletes cannot achieve the correct body positions  we have extra videos with further information,  click here:
  • Flexibility exercises for every rower
  • Hamstring Flexibility - How to fix it in two weeks!
  • ​Great set of core exercises for every rower
  • Fitness and Technique especially for beginners
On Water Rowing Course Lessons:
  • User Guide
  • Lesson 1 - Before the Boat 
  • Lesson 2 - Boat Setup on Water
  • Lesson 3 - Oars on Water and Lazy Feather
  • Lesson 4 - Posture and Pauses
  • Lesson 5 - Basic Catch and the Finish
  • Lesson 6 - Control and Rhythm
  • Lesson 7 - Balance Drills for Confidence  
  • Lesson 8 - Roll-ups
  • Lesson 9 - Blades off the Water
  • Lesson 10 - Catch Connection
  • Lesson 11 - Rhythm in the Boat
  • Lesson 12 - During the Race
  • Lesson 13 - Racing Starts
Previous - Lesson 2 - Boat Setup On Water
Next - Lesson 4 - Posture and Pauses

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