A detailed lesson on how to use the unique Rowperfect dynamic rowing machine as a way of teaching technique for rowing and sculling.

1. How to coach using

2. History and Origins
• Casper Rekers – inventor & innovator
• A Rowing Simulator with features to match
• To learn rowing you need 3 things
– Teach the crew to do the same stroke pattern
– Teach the crew to all do it at the same time
– Acquire proficiency in handling the oar(s)
• Rowperfect RP3 helps with the first two
www.rowperfect.co.uk

3. Benefits of Rowperfect
• Training on RP makes you fitter for rowing
• It trains the body in the rowing movement
• It trains boat-moving skills
• You can predict your on-water boat speed
• Compare athletes of different weights fairly
• Train crews to move together on linked RPs
• Real-time power curve is very sensitive to
changes in how you power the flywheel making
RP a great technique coaching tool
www.rowperfect.co.uk

4. Users & recent results
• Mahe Drysdale NZL 1x (Olympic Gold)
• Juliette Haigh & Rebecca Scown NZL W2-
(Bronze)
• Alan Campbell GBR 1x (Olympic Bronze)
• Croatia M4x (Silver)
• USA Sweep squad M4- (Bronze)
• Cambridge University Boat Club, UK (won Boat
Race 2012)
• University of Washington, USA (won 5 titles
2012)
www.rowperfect.co.uk

5. Video: 4 top men using linked RP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zib8DQYMvs www.rowperfect.co.uk

6. 10 reasons RP3 is unique
1. The only dynamic rower that is already producing champions
2. Designed by the Rowperfect inventor “Cas Rekers”
3. The best feel & floating motion of any dynamic rowing simulator
4. The only available dynamic rowing simulator that gives you full feedback
about your power application with computer software
5. Stainless steel construction
6. Made in Europe by a factory with >25 years experience
7. Design is being improved all the time adapting to new technologies
8. Transition - RP to water rowing better than with any other machine
9. A large range of drag factors to develop speed & power
10. It makes you fitter than any other fitness tool in the world
www.rowperfect.co.uk

7. Why use Rowperfect?
• Problem: with indoor rowers
– Athletes ‘chase’ numbers on ergos
– Watts & Split appear to improve with poor
technique & higher stroke rates
• Solution:
– Use a measure that is independent of rate
– Use a measure that improves with good technique
Joules
www.rowperfect.co.uk

8. Joules = Power output
Understand how these are calculated
• Joules = power
• Watts = power per second
Why does this matter?
• Joules: When the rate changes the joules don’t change
if the power is constant.
• Watts: When the rate changes the watts do change
because it’s calculated per second.
So you can take the rate up and watts goes up BUT the
power could have gone down.
Therefore using Joules gives a true power measure.
www.rowperfect.co.uk

9. Watts and Joules compared
http://youtu.be/QT7Eu4Xj3wA
www.rowperfect.co.uk

10. Why Coaches use Rowperfect
1. Help athletes row the way you want
2. Software adds a new dimension
• Force curve
• Stroke length
• Joules energy
3. Link RP3s together for crew simulation
sessions and align power delivery
www.rowperfect.co.uk

11. Rowperfect session with software
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zjN1emlpzc
www.rowperfect.co.uk

12. How to coach using RP3
Make your blade work hard every stroke
GET MORE BOAT SPEED by
– Longer length of stroke
– More power in the stroke
• Teach power first using
– Joules
– Stroke length
– Low ratings
– High resistance
www.rowperfect.co.uk

13. Video: Use RP from 1st day rowing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qEgkOJJgWA&feature
=youtube_gdata_player www.rowperfect.co.uk

14. 1st rowing session on RP3
Introduce the Rowperfect rowing machine
• Row for 5 minutes
• Explain good posture and show “hands on” moving body position
• Set computer software to show: Power curve, Stroke length, Joules
• Row on a heavy drag factor rowing at 16 -18 strokes per minute
• Row on for 5 - 10 minutes. Observe the rower
• If he does a good, long stroke and a good curve, tell him
• Most athletes start making changes to their stroke by themselves. Using
the direct feedback s/he starts realising which movements help get more
work per stroke watching the Joules x stroke data.
Go onto the water
• Tell the athlete to make the same feel of load and acceleration
www.rowperfect.co.uk

15. Your Rowing Coaching skills
The message is
• Your coaching skills apply to Rowperfect use
• From the 3 videos could you see technique
you could coach / correct?
• Continue to use your skills just add
– Joules
– Stroke Length
– Feel & boat movement
– More power & fitness in your athletes
www.rowperfect.co.uk

16. Skill Drills & Exercises you teach
• British Rowing Technique tour slides by Rosie
Mayglothling
– Download slides from RP shop
http://www.rowperfect.co.uk/shop/british-rowing-technique-presented-
by-rosie-mayglothling-213.html
– List of exercises for each part of stroke cycle
http://www.rowperfect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/rowperfect-
coaching-drills.pdf
– Use exercises to teach correct movement
– Use RP3W software to check the effect of
exercises
www.rowperfect.co.uk

17. Teaching Resources for coaches
• Rowperfect Newsletter with tips and advice
http://www.rowperfect.co.uk/newsletter-signup/
• Email series ‘How to coach using Rowperfect’
http://www.rowperfect.co.uk/coach-rowperfect
• FREE e-books in RP shop
– Rowperfect White Paper - Will Hoodless
http://www.rowperfect.co.uk/shop/white-paper-on-rowperfect-197.html
– The Rowperfect Challenge - Murray McLeod Jones
http://www.rowperfect.co.uk/shop/the-rowperfect-challenge-by-
murray-mcleod-jones-292.html#.UE0s_bIgeyE
• Harry Mahon & Martin McElroy technique DVDs
http://www.rowperfect.co.uk/shop/harry-mahons-rowing-technique-both-
226.html
www.rowperfect.co.uk

18. Thank you
• Rowperfect aims to give coaches, athletes and
rowing clubs information & resources that
promote good technique leading to faster
boats and more rowing / sculling enjoyment.
• We write a daily blog on our website
http://www.rowperfect.co.uk/news/
• Please send us any comments, questions or
suggestions to info@rowperfect.co.uk
www.rowperfect.co.uk