Rowing isn’t especially complicated, particularly in as stable a boat as a Celtic Longboat, however paying attention to technique will help to prevent injury. We will help you with this, but the principles are:

  • Sit comfortably with knees bent to about 45 degrees
  • Hold the handle loosely in the fingers
  • Reach only as far as your feet. Do not twist the back to reach any further forward
  • Drop the oar into the water. Let it find it's own depth
  • Initiate the drive by bracing with the feet & pushing with your legs
  • Lean back, pushing with the legs, trying to keep your arms as straight as possible
  • When you're laying back to about 30 degrees, allow your arms to come to the top of your chest
  • Tap the oar out of the water, then push your arms out
  • Sit back up then reach forward to the "catch" position
  • Repeat!

Important points:

  1. Don't over-reach forwards
  2. Don't lean too far back either!
  3. Keep in time with the stroke
  4. Get the timing right before putting on the beans!