Rowing on the feather problem.?

Question

I'm a rower on a team, usually 3-seat or bow seat star. When rowing on the feather, I have this annoying little problem that I need to fix. My coach calls it "motorcycling", where I start feathering with my outside hand and bending my outside wrist to avoid scraping my inside fingers off the gunwale.

It makes it hard sometimes and I catch a lot of crabs because of it. What should I do? It's the most annoying thing and I have a hard time fixing it.

(Note: those not familiar with crew, please don't comment on "catching crabs", as it's rowing lingo completely unrelated to STDs.)

Answer 1

Put your hand that is scrapping a little closer in but not to much or you will tire faster. I understand the crab thing, I have flipped while coxswain a four. It was really cold. I hope this helped. I have scape's on my fingers from this. My guess is that when you feather you don't put as much upward pressure on your side of the boat and your hand scrapes the gunwale. Ask to wane off and then look at it for a moment to think about it when you stroke. Good luck rowing! My coach is a nasty older lady named Mariam. Also have an instructor called Gabe. I don't like him either.

Answer 2

to avoid catching the crab you have to push down on the oar before you feather the blade so you do not feather under water. this also improves the strength of your finish because you will not throw water. to keep yourself from bending your wrist you have to make a conscious effort every stroke to use your fingers more to feather. good luck!

Answer 3

you might try rowing with a wrist brace on, one that makes it impossible to bend your wrist. my coach made our whole novice 8 row with them on their outside wrists to teach them to feather with the inside hand and to not bend the outside wrist.

Answer 4

Focus on releasing the blade from the water- not feathering it out.  Make sure that as u finish the stroke u lower ur hands away as u feather.  Also relax ur hands.  If ur feathering with ur outside hand maybe u should ask ur coach if u can switch sides.  Maybe ur naturally meant to row on the other side.  Ur coach will probably know ur trying to do this as a quick fix to ur form problem and deny the request, but its worth a shot anyway :)