Washer settings
A topic that seems to be a mystery to almost everyone except Mitch. When you are warming up by pairs, take a look at the height of each blade above the water (it is useful to look at hand heights as well, but this is not so easy from the cox seat). At square blades the blade should pass a few inches above the water surface, and on the draw should be pulled through a couple of inches below the water surface. If you see that one of the blades is very high above the water every stroke and the rower's hands are not too low on the recovery, one solution is to get that person to remove a washer. This lowers the point at which the blade is pivoted, and so in order to pull through at the same height, the rower will carry his blade closer to the water. The same effect would be achieved by making the rower sit on a seat pad. On the other hand, if a person is having difficulty getting their blade across the water on the recovery (especially at square blades) - i.e. if the blade bottom skims the water on the recovery or worse and the rower has difficulty getting his hands over his legs - then that rower probably needs a washer added.
So, in summary:
- Start each outing with no washers - only add them if ABSOLUTELY necessary.
- Washer changes should preferably be initiated by the coach, or the coxswain - the rower is not in a good position to judge blade heights.
- If everything is too high, remove a washer.
- If everything is too low, add a washer.
- If unsure, ask the coach.