🚣 Learn Rowing
Rowing skills
18 skills, beginner to advanced. 15 of them can be checked from a phone video with honest form analysis — no fake scores.
Beginner
5The Catch
The catch is the front end of the stroke and the most important position — you're 'loading…
Analysis
The Drive
The drive is the power phase, and it follows the golden sequence: LEGS, then BODY, then AR…
Analysis
The Finish
The finish (or release) is the back end of the drive, where all your power has been applie…
Analysis
The Recovery
The recovery is the return to the catch, and it's the exact REVERSE of the drive: ARMS awa…
Analysis
Stroke Sequencing
Sequencing ties the four phases into one smooth, continuous stroke — and it's THE most imp…
Analysis
Intermediate
5Posture & Core Bracing
Your spine is the lever that transfers leg power to the handle, so a strong, braced, neutr…
Analysis
Leg Drive Power
The legs are the engine of the stroke — roughly 60% of your power — so learning to truly d…
Analysis
Drive-to-Recovery Ratio
Rhythm is the soul of good rowing, and it lives in the drive-to-recovery RATIO: the drive …
Analysis
Handle Path & Levels
On the erg, the handle (and chain) should travel in a STRAIGHT, level horizontal line to a…
Analysis
Erg Setup & Damper
Setting up the erg correctly — and understanding the damper — makes a big difference, and …
Advanced
5Stroke Rate & Power
Stroke rate (strokes per minute) and per-stroke POWER are two separate dials, and learning…
Analysis
Connection & Suspension
Connection (or 'suspension') is the advanced feeling of hanging your whole body weight off…
Analysis
Avoiding Low-Back Strain
Low-back pain is BY FAR rowing's most common injury — roughly a third to half of rowers ge…
Analysis
Feathering
Feathering is an ON-WATER skill: between strokes you rotate the oar about 90 degrees so th…
Analysis
Boat Set & Balance
Boat 'set' is the lateral balance of the shell — keeping it level (not rolling to one side…
Insane
3The Sprint & Power-10
Sprinting — the high-rate start and finishing kick of a race — and the 'Power-10' (a burst…
Analysis
Technique Under Fatigue
The hardest, most important advanced skill is holding good technique when you're exhausted…
Analysis
Sculling vs Sweep
On the water there are two disciplines: SCULLING (two oars, one in each hand — singles, do…