THE SPORT OF ROWING J.R.: “We initially incor- porated the exaggerated life- guard swing while joking around on the water with the Ohio State Women’s Varsity. “Lifeguard rowing was a big part of our breakthrough. It’s the same sport, but it’s a different sport. It’s all about the coordination of the two major muscle groups, the legs and the back. If we were to do vectors, I believe we would find the swing of the back from the hips is the crucial link. “The essence of lifeguard rowing is long suspension and swing. There is no sliding seat and very little leg drive in this form of rowing. [my em- phasis]”8163 Kaehler: “Lifeguard rowing is certainly more than half backs, especially when you do the really long rows, like around the is- land, four hours. You really have to hang your body weight or you’re not going to make it.”8164 J.R.: “Here’s my feeble attempt at de- scribing the intersection of lifeguard rowing and normal rowing: “First, the key to maximizing the drive is hips first (almost shooting the bum) while suspending effortlessly from your lats, with the contact points being the feet and the fin- gers, followed by a strong core-muscle, trunk-based swing of the upper-body. It’s as if the upper-body always has to catch up with the bum, which is already pushing to- ward the bow. “Second, the hands should rebound quickly but not hastily as a counterbalance for the very aggressive and pronounced swing. [ferryman’s finish] This rebounding 8163 Read, op. cit. 8164 Kaehler, personal conversation, 2008 Comcast SportsNet 17’ Van Duyne Surf Boat Fixed seats and footboards, thole pins. motion becomes automatic and enables you to shut down the body after the hands have been pushed away from the chest. “Then there is less than a second to re- lax with the body already prepared for the catch as you let the boat run out while you coast into the stern. “I believe it is essential to have the body quiet on the recovery, especially while trav- eling towards the stern – irrespective of stroke rate – so as to avoid stern check. “Between 2001 and 2003, Bryan and I came to know each other’s strengths and each other’s weaknesses, so we would try to reduce the impact of the weaknesses and just work together. I’d say, ‘Bryan, let’s try this.’ And he’d say, ‘Let’s try that,’ and I would watch the Speed Coach®, and I’d say, ‘Yeah, that’s great,’ and he’d say, ‘J.R., I’m not even pulling. What are you doing?’ “‘I’m going at body weight, Bry,’ and the Speed Coach® would go down to about 2:04, 2:03 per 500 at barely over a paddle. “James Tomkins kept coaching us over the phone, and he was a huge influence on 2288