We all know what is happening in just a few days—gift city.

But what you might not know is that there are some good (really good) books out that are not exactly about rowing, but just might be what that special rower in your life needs.

I’m talking about a book that a rower/coach/coxswain reads and a little light bulb goes off over their head. A book that has tidbits of wisdom from other areas in life that a rower can transfer to his or her rowing to improve the experience.

Following are five such books. I recommend them because I have read them, I love them, and they are never far out of my reach. This is not just a Buy-This-At-Amazon-Link-Ploy. Nope, these are books that have really improved my rowing/coaching. In fact, several I use in the courses I teach at Washington College. They might be just the thing for that hard to please rower on your list . . . or might give you an idea of something else to give.

Either way, here is my take on 5 books for rowers, that aren’t about rowing, but can be, er, can be . . . well, about rowing. (And all are under $20.00, with the current price at Amazon listed after the title.)

Tuned In, by Stull, Myers & Scott ($18.45)


Why I like it: This book gives a very insightful view of finding opportunities that can lead to some very powerful breakthroughs. For example, the authors talk about how Magnavox came up with the simple solution to help all those viewers who lose their remote control—the Remote Locator, that with a simple push of the power button on the TV will cause the remote to beep for 30 seconds so you can find it. Cool idea, and how they came up with the idea is very insightful.

Applies to rowing: we have numerous problems in rowing where a solution may be no further away than the next insight. Being Tuned In, as the authors call it, may just help a solution be quickly found.

Tuned In: Uncover the Extraordinary Opportunities That Lead to Business Breakthroughs

Back of the Napkin, by Dan Roam ($15.64)


Why I like it: I am wickedly visual—I need to see things to comprehend them. When I first read this book I realized for the first time that I am not the only one who does that, and there are ways to use it to my advantage. Back of the Napkin is all about solving problems with simple drawings . . . about learning how to see and look to find trends and solutions.

Applies to rowing: As a coach this has certainly helped me to present topics better. As an athlete it has helped me sketch out issues and find solutions.

The Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures

Open to Question, by Walter Bateman ($ .53, yes, fifty three cents)

Why I like it: This is one great book about teaching . . . and in turn about learning. Written in a very simple and enjoyable tone, it is about how a teacher (Bateman) went about teaching his students ways to think. I use it as the foundation for my courses. I liked it so much that I called Bateman one day, but unfortunately his wife told me he had passed on. I did not know him but I bet he would have made a heck of a rower.

Applies to rowing: If you want to get better in rowing, you need to learn. If you want to learn better, there is probably some good suggestions and tips in this book.

Open to Question: The Art of Teaching and Learning by Inquiry (Jossey Bass Education Series)

Mistakes Worth Making, by Susan Halden-Brown ($15.35)

Why I like it: I teach about mistakes and failure and it amazes me how reluctant so many people are to try things for risk of making a mistake or failing. This is setting us up, as a society, for some really hard times. This book investigates mistakes and failures in a sport setting. Although mostly looking at Australian sports, the author certain hits the nail on the head several times about sports in the US.

Applies to rowing: Come on . . . screw up in rowing . . . make a mistake . . . you are not worthy of being on the water if you do, right? Nope. Rowing is all about making mistakes, and this book can give insight into how a rower can learn and deal with mistakes, from small technical ones to big nasty ones.

Mistakes Worth Making: How to Turn Sports Errors into Athletic Excellence

The Core Performance, by Mark Verstagen ($13.57)

Why I like it: Flat out, this book has made a huge difference in my coaching, rowing, and my team’s performance. It’s all about the core . . .let me restate that . . .IT IS ALL ABOUT THE CORE. The author lays it out in direct terms and methods, nice graphics, good explanations.

Applies to rowing: In simple terms this book shows how to build a strong core from knees to shoulders, and why you should do it. Want to reduce injuries, build your core. Want to row better, build the core. Want to row faster, build your core. It really is AATC (all about the core)!

The Core Performance: The Revolutionary Workout Program to Transform Your Body & Your Life

Five books that might just solve a gift problem you may have, and help a rower have a better go of it. (And for a few extra dollars they will gift wrap.)

If you’ve got suggestions, let us all know. There still are several shopping days left!!!

or an erg piece, show him or her this article.

Solo Italian rower rescued off Australia after 10-month journey

It just might help put things into perspective.

Photo by AFP

What if . . . instead of the top three American (or your country’s) car manufacturers in danger of closing shop it was three of the top boat makers who were going under?

No more boats from Vespoli, USA; Pocock; or Resolute.

How would that effect you?

Buy from a foreign maker? Keep your boat alive forever? Steal a boat?

What if . . . it were the top oar makers in the US going down? If C2 and Dreher no longer made oars.

How would that effect you?

Or no more Nielsen Kellerman, Row2k, or JL . . .

Would it matter to you? Would another business fill the void left?

Would you stop rowing?

It is snowy, cold . . . and I’m having a heckva hard time focusing on rowing right now. (And I know I’m not the only one). So I’ve made a decision to do a little recharging, and from now through the end of the 2008 I will be a little less active on the blog.

I’ve got to do some reorganizing—possibly a new design—and focusing on time with the kids and family.

Since this is usually the R-E-A-L-L-Y slow time for rowing it seemed like a good time to go into recovery mode. I’ll try to get a few important posts up, and if you have a question, please still send along.

Looking forward to coming back in full force in 2009 (and recharged), with tips, tools, and tricks to help you get what you need from your rowing.

photo by whitetiger8370

Looking to get the pitch of your rigger correct? Then you need to have a pitch meter. Pure and simple.

There are several selections of meters on the market, ranging from the basic to the technical. The new Electronic Pitch Meter by NK (Nielsen Kellerman) is somewhere in the middle. The following text and video is a review of the meter.

What I Like

There are several things about the meter I like. It fits in your pocket with no sharp ends that can really get your attention. It is lightweight. Seems durable. And it can be used to measure more than just a rigger’s pitch. For example, it does a great job reading the angle of a footstretcher.

I especially like the “hold” button which allows you to find the pitch and then “hold” the measurement so that you can read the screen at your convenience. This is especially handy when it might too dark or too sunny to read the display.

The buttons are easy to press, and the meter fits right in the palm of your hand. I also like the accuracy and precision of the meter, and having readings in tenths of a degree is a plus.

What I Didn’t Like

There was little that I did not like about this meter, but a few items that I want to note. First, rowing is a water sport and often electronics and water do not blend well. Although I have not had an issue with this yet, I would be very hesitant to take the meter in a launch or use it outside on a rainy day.

Second, I am pretty tough on tools, as I would guess most coaches/Riggers are. Although the meter has been durable so far, I am not sure how it will handle life in a tool box, or a drop from a shell onto concrete. It does comes with a small case that offers a little protection. In all, something to consider.

MaxRigging Buying Advice

If you are looking to take your rigging to a new level then this would be a tool to consider. It does offer some convenience and accuracy that older manual meters do not. The compactness is also a nice benefit. However if you are just starting out in rigging or are on a tight budget you may want to consider a simple mechanical meter first.

• Electronic Pitch Meter
• Nielsen Kellerman
• Rating: 4.5/5
• Price: $85.00 US

You row.

Maybe you pull on an oar (or oars). Possibly you steer. Or you coach . . . or rig . . . or are an involved parent. A lot of variations of the same theme, but when you boil it down—you row.

Is the reason why you row clear?

I am asking if others understand why you row? Do your parents know why you sweat and train? Does your roommate know why you get up early or come home late? Is it clear to friends exactly why your hands are covered with calluses? Does your spouse, kids, family get it?

This is important—really important! Why?

If you are reading this you are passionate about your version of rowing. If not, then why would you be here? And if you are passionate sooner or later you will need the support of those around you as you pursue that passion.

• Chasing the sunrise or sunset? You will need support.
• In search of speed? You will need support.
• Driving your child to practice at 5:15 am. Support (and coffee).
• Coaching a boat going for gold? Support. Support. Support.

People are a lot more supportive when they understand the reason why you are doing what you do. Support can make the difference between reaching a goal or missing it.

Have you told them why?

Have you told yourself? It just might make your rowing better.

image: Co Rentmeester

For more on this topic try these:

• Bored With Your Rowing? Five Ways to Get Your Zing Back
• Rowing Slow

Many fasteners on rowing shells only need to be gently tightened. For example hard-torque is not required to tighten the nuts that hold a rigger to a hull, or to keep a footstretcher from moving. Snug yes, hard no!

Yet there are a few rigger bolt/nut combinations that need to be very securley tightened due to the nature of the forces on them. If they aren’t hard tightened—they will come lose. One example is the fastener that secures the pin to a rigger, or a bracket that locks an insert inside of a rigger tube.

There is a simple trick to get these fasteners tight. It is called a “two-hand squeeze.”

The image below shows how most folks would tighten a bracket. Using two wrenches they would push their two hands together—trying to torque down the fastener. This method works fine if you have the hand strength of the Incredible Hulk. But most of us mere-mortal rower types do not, and that is where the “two-hand squeeze” comes in.

By interlocking the fingers of the both hands, as shown in the next image, and then squeezing the hands together (instead of pushing them together) you can generate significantly more torque and get that fastener tight. Besides generating more torque this method also can save some valuable knuckle skin if a wrench were to slip off of the fastener.

You can generate even more torque by sliding the hands to the ends of the wrenches. This system also works well, very well, when loosening fasteners.

Like the tip? Let me know with a rating below. And if you have others to share pop them in the comment box.

Heel cup height is one of those measurements that rowers tend not to think about unless they are uncomfortable—usually when they feel that they cannot get good compression at the catch.

However long before comfort comes into play, heel cup height plays a signifcant role in how efficent a rower is.

This short video shows how to measure the height. A few simple steps and you have it.

To get an idea if your height is within a range good for you, check the numbers page. And from there do some fine tuning.

Find this post helpful? If so (or if not) please use the rating below to let me know.

Does this ever happen to you: you get in the shell, shove off the dock, and then you hear yourself ask:

“Why am I doing this?”

Ahhh . . . a sign that you may be getting bored with rowing.

Yes, it does happen. Quite often. What can you do? My suggestion to get the zing back in your rowing is to try a variation of a theme. Instead of break dancing, try the foxtrot. Instead of email, hand write a letter. Instead of your normal rowing try . . .

1. Go to the dark side
If you are a port—go to starboard. You a starboard—go to port. Why? To live on the wild side. Spice things up. Get a different view.

We have a small team so I have our rowers be bisweepual, they switch sides each year. It helps with body development. It helps with brain engagement. It helps keep folks smiling. A lot of new experiences go on when you switch sides.

Continue Reading »

. . . rowing or mountain biking? One is better than the other . . .

Both are pretty neat sports. But let’s take a peak for a moment at the two—give you a comparison—and then you decide which is better.

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