What Javelin Throwers Can Teach Us About Rowing

In this video, I connect track and field throwing events such as the Javelin and what it can teach us about creating force and power during the drive phase of the rowing stroke.
Link to the NY Times Article mentioned in the video:
www.nytimes.com/2022/11/02/we...
Javelin thrower photo credit: Austrian National Library
unsplash.com/photos/mQiHukQGPx4
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[@mict450]

As always, good content. That RP3 sure is loud. I have a DX and find it's a lot kinder on my back than a static machine.

[@kencostello5443]

Thanks! Very well explained!

[@Neil_Bergenroth_Rowing_Coach]

Thank you! I really appreciate you commenting and your feedback. Best for this season of racing.

[@jessdicarlo7159]

Really excellent, Neil. Thanks for taking the time to make the video. It’s clear, but I’ve not heard the drive/acceleration explained quite in this way. Similar, but it’s helpful to see you rowing and see the curve at the same time. Just one question…you say you have some work to do per the shape of your curve. My curve has looked similar to yours, but mine “folds in on itself” as you say (great phrase!), even more than yours does after the peak, to the point where it’s a bit concave. I’ve been working on fixing it for a while now, off and on, and it has improved a bit, but I’m most curious to understand the way you would explain what needs to happen in terms of connection. What is it that is missing after the peak? For example, is it that you aren’t quite as patient with the legs in the front half, which then creates a bit too much acceleration before the body swings? If you were in a boat, would that be akin to “ripping the water” as coaches say?

[@Neil_Bergenroth_Rowing_Coach]

Jess, without seeing you row, I would have to make an educated guess that your arms are being left to finish the stroke without the assistance of the body (yours might be already finished). From talking to Peter extensively on the subject and studying the Sport of Rowing (his masterpiece and life's work), you might need to engage the arms more and use them more organically with the upper body weight. In this way, once you engage your legs, back, and arms concurrently and try to finish them all together, you might have a better chance at making the back part of the curve more convex.
There is almost a religious debate about the most successful force application strategies.
Anyone wanting to learn more might be interested in reading about force application strategies. Specifically page 2438 in volume IV of the sport of rowing. worldrowing.com/about/history/the-sport-of-rowing/volume-4/

[@stephanbon8240]

@@Neil_Bergenroth_Rowing_Coach @jessdicarlo7159 I just found this video of Neil. Thank you. You are explaining great. I recognize the shape of the curve and what Jess is mentioning. Me and my crewmates (Masters E category now, participating at top national and international Masters level) are experiencing it as well. What I see, looking at Neil is - like we say - a C2 stroke. As we probably all are "born and raised" on C2, most of us are showing a C2 stroke when starting with RP3. My own ForceCurve shape has become the haystack shape with the peak force position at about 48-49% moving towards 46-47% when power and / or stroke rate are going up. And it stays 'full' at the second part. Sometimes even an extra small bump at 3/4.
Most of my crewmates are suffering the same as you are mentioning. You can actually change the shape, but it takes quite a long time and you need to a at least 2 sessions a week of shaping. A hollow curve at the second part is caused by loosing force or not having connection at or just after the catch and use your back or arms (or combi) too much at the (very) first part of the stroke. This is actually the way of doing on C2. Rowing static forces you to do it like that. I was in the top10-15 in the Rankings worldwide on C2 so I know.
The solution is find the connection sooner, by taking more time. It sounds like a paradox and it is. Connection more early on the footplates, catching like on the water (grabbing the water with blades easy) is the solution. Even if you don't see it (no back and / or arms movement) you still connect with arms or back here. When you do it, are able to change, the curve will be filled up more and more at the second half.
And the second visible comment I can make here: finish like you are on the water. Neil is pulling towards his chin and elbows low. As well like you (implicitly) learned on C2. This gives better scores, becauce longer movement of the chain (time), but doesn't have or it reduces accelaration of the flywheel (what RP3 measures) and simular with applying force with the blade towards the release. So, row more like you would do in the boat and the curve will stay (more) full.
Both improvements will lead to more boatspeed. Me and my crew are able to do a below 3:00min in the eight on 1.000m and a 3:05 - 3:10 min. in a coxless four, 3:15-3:20 in a double scull boat on masters events (cat. E). We have been able to take the trackrecord (in 2022) in one of the biggest fall (october) events in Holland in the coxed four (5.250m) with 20 sec. improvement (19:43 min).