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Pittsford CrewFall info session for New Novice Parents – Fall 2013

Whit Sprague set up a WebEx meeting . It’s not absolutely required, but there may be some extras to view. If you want you can just download the files and follow along on the phone by listening in.

You can call Whit Sprague with technical questions: 585-281-4806 cell Whit’s email: wsprague@cisco.com

Date: Tuesday, September 24, 2013 Time: 9 pm, East Coast TimeMeeting Number: 201 333 674 Meeting Password: crew (only needed for the online portion)

------------------------------------------------------- To join the teleconference only ------------------------------------------------------- 1. Dial 1.919.392.3330 2. Follow the prompts to enter the Meeting Number (201 333 674 ) or Access Code followed by the # sign.

To join the online Web meeting (Not required, optional)------------------------------------------------------- 1.Go to https://cisco.webex.com/ciscosales/j.php?ED=238883737&UID=0&PW=NODNlZjA4MjA5&RT=MiM0 2. Enter your name and email address. 3. Enter the meeting password: crew 4. Click "Join Now". 5. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.

To view in other time zones or languages, please click the link: https://cisco.webex.com/ciscosales/j.php?ED=238883737&UID=0&PW=NODNlZjA4MjA5&ORT=MiM0

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Agenda

Introduce novice parents to rowing, regattas, crew Rowing terminology

Boats

Indoor rowing

Rowing stroke

Regattas What is going on?

Where can I watch from?

Hospitality

What to look for? Technique?

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Types of rowing, types of boats

Two types: Sweep rowing & sculling

Sweep rowing - one oar in both hands Pittsford crew races at regattas: sweep oar events 8+ “+” denotes coxswain 4+

Other boats, sometimes at larger regattas: 4- No coxswain, “straight four” 2- Pair – very difficult to row well.

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Types of boats

Sculling - one oar in each hand, “X” with a boat implies a sculling boat

1x single - 2x double(not the same as a pair!) 4x quad (not a four!)

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Boats

On fours, the coxswain might be in the stern, or might be lying down in the bow (more aerodynamic)..

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Boats

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Rowing indoors

Rowing ergometer –

Measures output –

Comparisons valid between machines anywhere in the world (and hence between rowers)

At Pittsford, done in the PIRC (Pittsford Indoor Rowing Center)

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What is being measured with the ergometers? (it’s a simulation, not real life)

Distance (meters)

Split time (minutes per 500 meters). Split time is the lingua franca for ergometers!

~1:50 for varsity boys….to…

~2:30 for novice girls ….

Average split time for the piece

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Types of races: Head Race

Boats start in single file, one at a time.

Winning time is computed from elapsed time for each boat.

Hard to tell who is winning!!

Boats supposedly start in bow number order.

Know the bow number for boat you are interested in!!

Interaction between boats is part of the race.

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Sprint race

Line them up, they all start at same time.

First one across finish line wins.

Spring races are sprints

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Time trial

Run like a head race, sometimes 2 lanes.

Purpose is usually to seed boats for sprints.

Done at NY States due to large number of boats.

Interaction between boats is not desired!

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Liftbridge (Fairport) Regatta

Head race. Start line is different for

novice and varsity (this is highly unusual).

Bike path is great! You can watch the whole race.

Star marks where docks, hospitality are. This is a good place to watch from.

Varsity race 3 miles, Novice about 2 miles.

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How to read a race schedule?

Boats are labeled with the stroke’s name. At 8:05, the 2nd race starts. Pittsford will the 3rd boat in this race. The Pittsford Boat, with E. Doeblin at stroke, will have bow #7. *** YOU WANT TO KNOW THE BOW NUMBER OF YOUR

ATHLETE’s BOAT. *****

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What’s a bow number?

A bow number is a plastic card that is on the bow. It might also be on the back of the bow rower and the back of

the coxswain (at larger regattas). Boats should start in bow number order, but this does not

always happen.

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Where do I get the race info?

Before: go to regattacentral.com Login, and add the regatta to your list of regattas.

On race day: Schedule and lineups should be posted at the TRAILER and

the Hospitality Trailer. Schedule is often posted for all crews at some central

location (like a boathouse, etc).

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Where do I get the race info?

RegattaCentral.com – various tabs have different info.

Often this information is not posted until the last minute.

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What is the overall schedule?

6:30 am – someone is putting the trailer in position… 7 am – Hospitality is setting up…. 7:30 am – first rowers arrive , unloading starts. 8 am – coach and cox meeting… 8:20 novices start launching… 8:45 – First novice race starts – 2 pm? Last race launches 3 pm? Last race finishes… 4:30 pm – Trailers arrive back at boathouse, unload, rig

boats. 6 pm ? Kids head home.

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Schedule

Launching – typically 30 minutes before race time.

Guess what? – some regattas have delays.

Safety first!– give the boats plenty of room – rigger bolt in your ear is painful.

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What should I bring?

Kids to bring: The clothes you will race in! Extra clothing, warm jackets/rain gear, LABEL EVERYTHING, rain boots, water bottle, sunscreen $20 for regatta t-shirt, garbage bag to keep things dry

Parents bring: Book, chair, binoculars, camera, sunscreen, hat, rain gear, money for food/regatta t-shirt, bicycle?

Be prepared for a range of temperatures.

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How do we get the day rolling?

Breakfast Start hydrating on waking… Good breakfast – no experiments on race day!

I dropped my child off, now what? Relax, grab coffee somewhere Hospitality tent – coffee, help set up, meet other parents

How do I know who won? Race results typically posted at organizers tent

Who gets medals – Depends on particular regatta, usually 1st and 2nd place finishers.

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Hospitality Tent

Tent is a nice place to meet other parents: Food is free for rowers (paid for by tuition) Breakfast / lunch / snacks… Parents are asked to make a donation

$2 to $5 (thank you!) Donations ($300 / regatta) turn budget from red to black

Tents for other teams are for those particular teams Want something to do ? Always looking for a hand early in

am (setup) or late in pm (tear down, cleanup). It’s close to the action..

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Terminology: Parts of the rowing stroke

• Catch / entry

• Drive “hanging on the oar”

• Finish / release

• Recovery

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Watching and learning….

• Watch from the side to compare body position…

• Looking for all body positions, oar positions, etc, to be in sync.

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Watching and learning….

• Looking along the length of the boat enables you to see the timing of oar blades

• You can see this from front or back of the boat

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Watching and learning….

• Go to You Tube, search: “Cornell lightweights bladework”.

• This is what coaches spend huge amounts of time trying to improve.

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Technique: slow catch, missing water

Blade is not anchored in the water, rower pushes boat backwards!

This is a very important thing to get right, and hard to do correctly. Common novice error.

Strong rowers, without the correct catch, just succeed in pushing boat backwards. Not good if you want to go fast.

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Watching and learning….

• Starboard blades in before port – boat lurching to side causes this.

• Backsplash on both sides of starboard blades -

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Catching a crab

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Watching and learning….

• If you’re the parent of a coxswain, to get some idea what their day is like…

• You Tube, search for:

• 1. NZ University Rowing Champs 2011 - Men's Intermediate 8+ Final

• 2. Notre Dame Men's Rowing - V8+ HOCR Race (go to 10 minutes mark to see some steering! )

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Culture

• It can be different –

• Emphasis on sportsmanship – no trash talking –very quick disqualification…

• Cheering for everyone is encouraged…

• Good book to get a glimpse… • The Amateurs by David Halberstam – 1985 (written by a non-rower!)

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Feedback

This is the first time we’ve done this.

Feedback will help us decide if / how to do this again.

John Bowen: bowen at: photongear.com

Kristin Williamson: kbwilli36 at: rochester.rr.com

Or stop by the trailer / hospitality area - Kristin and John will aim to be there from 11 to 1 on Saturday, during the Liftbridge Regatta.