THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT “It’s important to remember that we continue to swing [the back], and we are squeezing arms. Always trying to make sure that we are pressing, that we have support with our feet against foot stretchers and we are hanging on the oar and insisting especially here [toward finish], insisting on acceleration here with the body until blade is out of water. We hang, and here it’s very important moment, hanging, swinging and squeezing arms together, not overem- phasizing one group of muscles. Arms application has to be done simultaneously. “We talk a lot about ‘hanging,’ and many people are saying, ‘What is this hanging?’ “When we work with some crews, we see this very common type of stroke: a good first part and then stop swinging and wait for the hands to arrive. [Kris demonstrates segmented-force Kernschlag.] All my weight is on seat, and I’m waiting here for oar to come. What has happened sometimes, very often, is that once they start to squeeze arms, they stop swinging body, so they go like this [demonstrates ferryman’s finish]. No! We should swing, apply, ‘hanging’ to the end, and down . . . These crews are not using bodies. You can see [Kris demonstrates.] that from [the middle of drive] my body is not working. “In good crews you can see that everybody is hanging, keeping weight on oar until the very end. This year [1985], Harvard crew had very good finish, very good acceleration, using body, especially after they pass perpendicular.5779 “Here you can lever boat. Your body is going backwards, and your blade is accelerating until it comes out. “Of course, in this technique there will be some questions. 5779 That undefeated crew was stroked by Andy Sudduth. See Chapter 142. “How much layback? Natural layback. I’m rowing right now with feet out, and I don’t have any problems. Just natural layback. Not too much because it’s useless to go so much. Also, you pump your knees up and your seat will be coming forward instead of staying still. The Finish The Finish “Knees are down. A little bit layback, but not too much, very natural position. Shoulders are nicely curved. There is no exaggeration in this position. There is no tension in the chest. Elbows a little bit through the body. Very important point: hands are in front of body, in front of chest, not too much through. Blade is out of water. “Hands out, and they pull shoulders forward. Very natural motion, very smooth, very relaxed, not overdoing any part of stroke. That’s what we should see. Summary “So body preparation, reaching out, slide, raise your hands, drop blade into water, drive, not change anything [in upper body], drive legs, in middle back open, finish and return to body preparation 1601
