On the Physics of Balance in Rowing
“Experience has shown us that, by first introducing young people to the land based rowing machine results in a faster adaptation to the water. However, rowers must still "learn the game" which means, amongst other things, mastering the skills required to row a boat. The skill needed to row a racing shell stems from the fact that the shell design has negative stability. All other boats or ships designed by a naval architect have positive stability, which means when the boat lists to one side, the forces that occur make the boat right itself. In a racing shell, once the boat lists then the forces occurring tend to make the boat capsize. A racing shell is most stable when it is upside down and the only reason it remains upright is due to the skill of the rower using the oars for stability."
"Improving Your Coaching Skills, Part 3” posted at
On The Physics of Rowing Balance
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