On Water Rowing Course Lesson 11 - Rhythm in the Boat
Please print these documents and use to remind yourself and the athlete of how to achieve rhythm and run on the recovery.  Let the boat do the work.
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Rhythm in the boat is vital to permit the boat to run well and permit the athletes to relax on the recovery part of the stroke.  This can be practiced on the ergo before the boat, see Ergo Key Skill 5 - Rhythm

The easiest way to demonstrate rhythm in the boat is to have the crew row with power and to emphasise slow movement down the slide on the recovery.  It is important to have the handle move away from the body at the same speed as it comes into the body and then the shoulders and seat move at the same pace.  Once the recovery is underway then have the athletes slow into the catch allowing the boat to run as far as it can before the next catch.  This clear seat speed difference between when the power is on and the recovery phase will provide good rhythm in the boat.  

It is important that the crew commence rhythm training at a low rating and only increase the rating once they have mastered the technique.   Once the athletes understand how to row with rhythm, the sensation while rowing will be that the rating seems slower than it is actually.   Conversely if the rating seems high to the crew then it is probable that the crew is lacking rhythm.

Therefore only increase the rating when the crew are capable at a lower rating and we suggest only increase the rating slowly.  For example; get technique and rhythm correct at 20spm and then move to 22spm then 24spm etc.

In the video below we demonstrate how to achieve rhythm in the boat with the pdf to the right containing this description of rhythm. We suggest that you print this and take it with you to follow as needed during the session.
​For Members:
Extra videos with further information on rhythm in the boat:  

For Members:
​For when the athletes cannot achieve the correct body positions  we have extra videos with further information,  click here:
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