THE SPORT OF ROWING T. Gary Rogers Rowing Center Collection 1928 University of California Eight 7 Hubert Caldwell 6’2” 189cm 185lb. 84kg +5°, +35° to -35°, 0-10, 0-10, 0-10, Classical Technique Head lift was characteristic of the rest of the crew, but the late arm break was not. studying them like a chorus line director for height, posture, shoulder and leg muscles. “‘Usually they were flattered when I singled them out, but some of the skeptics wondered what the catch was. Most of them had never held an oar in their lives.’ “He put the selected candidates to work, building their bodies, and making extensive use of movies in analyzing their form. “Though crew is a spring sport, Ebright worked his men in the barge and on rowing machines each fall, and had them ready for the eight-oared shells when the season rolled around.”1859 Technique The New York Times: “A new system of rowing was introduced. It was founded on the Conibear Stroke, evolved by Hiram Conibear at Washington and now [1928] generally used throughout the country. “To the system originated by his former coach, Ebright added some of his own tech- 1859 Sport: Leaving the Launch, Time Magazine, April 13, 1959 nique, one departure being to lengthen the stroke.”1860 Conibear: +25° to -20°, 0-10, 0-10, 0-10 Ebright: +35° to -35°, 0-10, 0-10, 0-10 Like Leader’s crews and Rusty’s crews, the Cal crews under Ky also rowed long dis- tances in practice with exaggerated -45° layback. Ebright brought with him to Cal Russ Nagler, who had been Ky’s successor as the Washington Varsity Coxswain. The stroke they initially taught was an evolution of what Ky had learned under Conibear, and according to The New York Times, included “a moderate reach until the chest touched the knees and a finish about -35° [during races] past the perpendicular; the blade dropped in at full reach, without ‘any splash,’ and before there was any movement of the body. “The catch was accomplished with the shoulders, the back swung into it, and the legs started the drive ‘all together.’ 1860 California Lauds Coach, The New York Times, August 11, 1928 500
