Technique
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:
- Don't over-reach forwards
- Don't lean too far back either!
- Keep in time with the stroke
- Get the timing right before putting on the beans!