THE SPORT OF ROWING Fairbairn, Rowing Notes Coach Steve Fairbairn demonstrating good rowing technique Even though overweight and aged 64 when these photos were taken in 1926, the good posture is clear. the pullthrough. Practicality for all but Mahe Drysdale then requires that on the recovery, they must breathe out fully and then in and out again (quickly) before arriving at the following entry ready to begin the breathing cycle again. Hints on Rowing, 1901: “On the matter of breathing, I prefer to inhale through the nose as one pulls the stroke home and exhale forcibly through the mouth as one swings forward again. In this way the lung capacity is greatly increased.”8369 George Pocock: “Always be conscious of breathing deeply, in and out of the boat, as greater lung capacity can be developed.”8370 Allen Rosenberg: “Inhale on the pullthrough, and exhale at the release.”8371 Ernst Herberger, GDR: The rower “is obliged to breathe in fully in the period shortly before and during entry. These are unfavorable conditions, since the diaphragm is constricted in the lean-forward position . . . This makes it all the more important to 8369 Hints on Rowing By A Country Man, Boys of Our Empire, Volume 1, Andrew Melrose, London, 1901, p. 766 8370 Pocock website, p. 3 8371 Rosenberg, USRA Clinic, Chula Vista, CA, Sept 11-2, 2004 8372 Herberger, p 83 8373 Müller, personal conversation, 2008 8374 See Chapter 130. become accustomed consciously to a short, but very deep inhalation, to ensure that the high demand for oxygen is fulfilled. Breathing out is done on extraction [of the oar]. “Generally, this first expulsion of air is not sufficient, and a second [inhalation and] exhalation occurs during the final third of the slide forward.”8372 Xeno Müller: “There’s one thing that people don’t teach enough, and that is when to breathe. I exhale when I compress the legs, so I am actually inhaling in the drive. That is uncommon! It drives me nuts!”8373 Posture One can sit bolt upright . . . one can slouch . . . or one can do something in between. Sitting up tends to protect the lower back, and that is why English Orthodox coaches and their followers down to Mike Spracklen have stressed good posture.8374 2356
