The Club's Results

The first race of Emma Sprints was a lost againstEmmanuel boat club. We started slowly off the line. This was because the referee started the race before we were fully ready. This caused some confusions for the cox and the rowers at the back of the boat. According to coaches on the bank, we were about 1 boat length behind Emma after the slow start. During the course of the race, our rowing was poor and we caught some crabs. However, Emma did not significantly increase their advantage despite our poor performance and finished about 2 boat length ahead of us at the end of the race. Emma ended up finishing second overall.

There are three main problem regarding our rowing during the course of the race: 1) not catching in time, 2) missing the front, 3) rushing the recovery. These problems were pointed out by our coaches during debrief.

1) not catching in time. We were not rowing very well in time during our first race. Part of the reason was that at the start, not all of our crews were ready and it was very difficult for us to get back in time during the draw/wind/lengthen phase. Secondly, after rhythm was called, the crews were aware that we were behind and were panicked. We were trying to catch up by increasing the rate and ended up rowing at rate 35-36, which was not helpful for us to get back in time, or to keep a good form. This problem had been identified by the crew and coaches before the race and we tried hovering exercises during training to improve synchronization. However, we were not able to apply what we learned from hovering exercises to our first sprint race.

2) missing the front. It was pointed out by our coaches that at front stop, we were not putting the blades into the water. Instead, we began driving our legs before putting the blade in. As a result, we were not able to make use of the full length of our stroke and our rowing was very energy inefficient. Of course, panic, high rating, and a somewhat unbalanced boat were factors contributing to this problem. But it was also worth pointing out that technique could also be a factor contributing to “missing the front”. It has been noticed by our coach that many of our crew members tend to “sky the blade”, that is, push the blade upwards at front stop instead of downwards. In the next few outings, it has been suggested to the crew members that they should try to be aware of blade position at front stop and place the blade into the water while sliding up to front stop, not somewhere on the way back.

3) rushing the recovery. Again due to high rating and panic, most of the crew members were rowing at very low ratio and rushing the recovery. This was manifested in a few different behaviors. Some were intentionally pushing the blade quickly away from body after back stop; some were not clearing the knees, i.e. raising the knees up before body-over; others were using the shoes to pull themselves quickly into front stop position. The coaches, especially Neil and Luke, have provided many individual feedbacks to our crew members. In the next few outings, we would aim to improve our techniques and forms while rowing at low rate and rowing in 6.

Last but not the least, it should be pointed out that psychology also played a huge factor on our performance in the first race. We were fairly nervous during the race due to the occasion. After the bad start, it took both rowers and the cox a few strokes to recover mentally and refocus. During the race, we were perhaps too aware of our opposition. We were frantically trying to catch up and, as a result, the rate was too high, the rowing was not in time, and the forms were rubbish. This race should have taught us the lesson that we should focus on our own boat instead of our opponent. Though this point was emphasized by our coaches before the race, we still needed this loss to really nail the lessons into the wood of our heads.

In terms of panic, it seems that the real problem was a lack of confidence. Not confidence in strength, but confidence in the style of rowing. If we knew very well how to properly perform as a team, then when accidents, such as bad referee or crabs or being behind, happens, we should be able to recover to the ideal state of rowing. However,currently we don’t have that feeling of “proper rowing” in mind. As a result, when bad things happen, we were trying to solve the problem individually and in the wrong way (such as rushing the recovery or increasing the rate). The writer of this report thinks that perhaps the feeling of “proper rowing as a crew” is the key to our advance from novice to senior rower.

- Rossoneri (str)

- the publisher of this report does not necessarily endorse the opinions expressed above, and they are purely the personal beliefs of the writer.

Victory tastes sweet and champagne at 2pm tastes sweeter. 

Even as the resident pessimist of the crew, I have to say that went incredibly well and the only words that come to mind are ‘yeah FaT’. Winning our division of Emma Sprints will continue to feel very, very good for quite some time. The crew has come together incredibly well- especially since Winter Head last week and it’s safe to say that all the effort we have been putting in paid off today.

Race One:

Row through because Christ’s NW1 failed to show up. Thank you guys for giving us some extra practice time and the ability to practice another race start before we had to face actual opposition. It was much appreciated, even if the Marshals did not look best pleased. 

Race Two:

Facing Fitzwilliam in our second race initially felt quite daunting, and kudos to Fitz for their costumes fitting with their college logo, and an extra thank you for providing some opposition. Our race started well and we managed to stay in a straight line, which was our biggest concern (other than our coach remaining dry, more on that later). Following on from there our rowing only got better and we stayed in time, pulling comfortably ahead to the point where we were able to start winding down the rate before the race was over and conserve some energy for the next one. 

Slight negative was forgetting that we did need to keep rowing in time after we passed under the railway bridge, but no harm done. 

Race Three:

Facing off against King’s, we were prepared for the fact that this was only going to get harder. The splashiness factor increased in this race but it didn’t seem to matter, the strokes were strong and we pulled ahead of King’s remarkably quickly; helped by the fact that they caught an early crab and appear to have stopped rowing to sort it out. Unfortunate for them, but a major positive for us as we stayed calm and kept rowing. Some crabs were caught (I think? The races are a bit blurred together), but as a crew we always recovered well and stayed positive. The fact that our cox has become increasingly more assertive and willing to shout at us helped massively. 

Crossing the line it suddenly dawned on us that we were in the division final, and that there was a very real chance we could actually win our division. 

Race Four:

There was very little time between the semi-final and the final, which at least prevented us from getting too cold or the adrenaline from wearing off. When spinning we had a repeat of last week and our coach ended up in the Cam to protect our bow. Sorry Neil. We will get better at spinning we promise, and as I type this I notice your heroics are already on Rowbridge. As a crew, we also hope you are now warmer and drier (and will not make this a habit).

We knew Corpus would be a challenge and the fact that their costume was so well coordinated hinted at their cohesion as a crew. Still, we stayed calm and focused, trusting in our own abilities and being willing to just. Keep. rowing. Which we did, and whilst it was (obviously) the hardest race of the day, by halfway through we were a length ahead and did not let up or get complacent, we stayed strong until the last and ignored the fact that our oars were pushing half the Cam into our boat and onto us. 

The feeling of winning cannot truly be described and it is safe to say that the entire crew is strongly looking forward to Clare Novices next Saturday, and is very enthusiastic to get back out on the water. An overwhelmingly positive day for us, and proof that we do listen to coaching (except when spinning) and can improve day to day.

Other Notes:

Some of our rowing on the way home was described as ‘terrible’ which felt harsh but was probably fair. At least it showed that we gave our all? Unfortunately it was not quite the lap of honour of a winning crew, and more a limp back to the boathouse rowing in sixes most of the way… 

Brunch after the race was made particularly fantastic by the announcement to the entire hall that we had won and the fact we were given a bottle of champagne. The entire crews’ hearts have been won and I have never seen so much smiling, which says a lot as it is rare that we are not smiling when together as a crew. 

Special shout-out to the weather for being good and the forecast for changing. I did not want to row in three layers and I’m glad I did not need to. I also did not need gloves when waiting around which for those who know me, is quite a feat. 

All in all, fantastic day and we eagerly await next week.