Start at the finish, with the boat stationary and blades squared and buried. Then take one full recovery, ending with the blades buried at the catch. Do not take a stroke, but reset to the finish. Watch for correct posture, timing and handle heights. Repeat as needed. Note To ensure the boat is set during […]
Finish Pauses
Taking full feather strokes, add a pause at the finish before the tap down. Blades should be rolled flat onto the water at the pause. Then rowers should tap down and bring their blades off the water as they begin the recovery, with enough clearance to square before the catch. Progression Move the pause to […]
Square/Feather
Taking regular strokes, switch between being square blades and feathered blades on the recovery. The switch could be every stroke, or every two strokes, three strokes, etc. Note Keeping the rate high enough and consistent between the feathered and squared boats helps keep the speed higher, helping the balance. Ensure the handle heights are not […]
Square Blades
Take regular strokes, but keep the blade fully squared on the recovery. In larger boats, rowers can sit out with their blades flat on the water to help set the boat. This drill will be more challenging in smaller boats where that is not an option. Progression In larger boats, you can decrease the number […]
Quarter Feather
Take regular strokes, but instead of being fully feathered on the recovery, hold the blades only slightly inclined from square. Note Ensure the blade angle isn’t changing through the recovery (except when squaring ready for the catch). Rowers are allowed to slightly drag the bottom edge, especially in smaller boats or bad conditions, but must […]
Finish Pauses
Full feather strokes, with a pause before the tap down at the finish. Blades should be rolled flat onto the water at the finish. After the pause, rowers should tap down and bring their blades off the water. Unlike Dragging Blades drill, should be no tap down at catch. Progression Can start by half boats, […]
Dragging Blades
Full feather strokes, but with no tap down at the finish. Blades should be rolled flat onto the water at the finish. Recovery handle height should be exactly the same as the drive handle height, though rowers will need to flip catch. Note Don’t run this too long, as it can teach incorrect handle motion […]