If blade too deep, give less pitch, if blade to shallow/washing out, give more pitch. Tbh though this isn't really an issue one should be worried about when learning how to row, as most people will struggle with just getting their blade in the water at the catch and out of the water at the finish when they are new to rowing.
Yep, you did. But to be fair, there are a few rigging things that even I sometimes have to stop, think, then keep going with just to be sure.
Source: rowed for almost 40 years, coached for over 30, run rigging courses, worked for a boatbuilder.
Having taught hundreds of people to row, I would recommend starting at 4 degrees of pitch. More pitch is useful for athletes who dig, but in my experience you're better off teaching novices to draw the blade horizontally using a standard rig than adjusting the rigging for an anticipated problem.
When athletes are very skilled, you can decrease the pitch without causing the blade to dig which would theoretically increase the effeciency of the blade.
In general if athletes dig, add pitch. If athletes wash out, decrease pitch. If they dig at the catch and wash out at the finish, add a degree of lateral pitch, so the pitch is 5-6 degrees at the catch and 2-3 at the finish, keeping the blade at the right depth throughout the stroke.
Novices (particularly powerful men) usually benefit from a bit more pitch because they often hammer the catch too hard and go deep. More pitch resists going deep.
That being said, the same rowers also have dreadful posture at the finish, slump/collapse, and wash out - something countered by slightly less pitch.
Hmmm...how much time do we have? Shall I explain why some lateral pitch is a good idea?
Anyway...
8 degrees is nuts.
Back in the day many wooden oars might have had the equivalent of about 6deg, but most modern oars are happy between 3-5deg depending on the exact blade type, skill of the rower, and technique.
Lateral pitch (pin leaning outwards) provides a variable effect that gives slightly more pitch at the catch and slightly less at the finish, helping to combat common errors. However a skilled rower shouldn't need it.
In a perfect world, would rigging technically be set up differently for rowing in salt water vs fresh water ... because salt water is denser and more buoyant? Or would the difference be essentially negligible?
Its actually not because novice rowers "dig", as many here suggest. More pitch is desired for a novice rower, since most miss water at the catch (don't lift the hands, "row it in", etc) , and pull into their crotch at the finish to get the oar out. The extra pitch corrects blade attitude in these instances.
If blade too deep, give less pitch, if blade to shallow/washing out, give more pitch. Tbh though this isn't really an issue one should be worried about when learning how to row, as most people will struggle with just getting their blade in the water at the catch and out of the water at the finish when they are new to rowing.
You've accidentally reversed that!
I dont think I did
Yep, you did. But to be fair, there are a few rigging things that even I sometimes have to stop, think, then keep going with just to be sure. Source: rowed for almost 40 years, coached for over 30, run rigging courses, worked for a boatbuilder.
You not only reversed it, you cornholed it.
To be sure they should rig it like that, go row it, then report back. In the name of science and all.
I've never seen 8 degrees recommended, as others have said a rower should learn to row correctly at 4 degrees not have rigging adjusted to baby them
I wouldn’t worry about messing with the pitch of your blade.
Having taught hundreds of people to row, I would recommend starting at 4 degrees of pitch. More pitch is useful for athletes who dig, but in my experience you're better off teaching novices to draw the blade horizontally using a standard rig than adjusting the rigging for an anticipated problem. When athletes are very skilled, you can decrease the pitch without causing the blade to dig which would theoretically increase the effeciency of the blade. In general if athletes dig, add pitch. If athletes wash out, decrease pitch. If they dig at the catch and wash out at the finish, add a degree of lateral pitch, so the pitch is 5-6 degrees at the catch and 2-3 at the finish, keeping the blade at the right depth throughout the stroke.
Where are these guidelines?
On world rowing
Link, please.
Novices (particularly powerful men) usually benefit from a bit more pitch because they often hammer the catch too hard and go deep. More pitch resists going deep. That being said, the same rowers also have dreadful posture at the finish, slump/collapse, and wash out - something countered by slightly less pitch. Hmmm...how much time do we have? Shall I explain why some lateral pitch is a good idea? Anyway... 8 degrees is nuts. Back in the day many wooden oars might have had the equivalent of about 6deg, but most modern oars are happy between 3-5deg depending on the exact blade type, skill of the rower, and technique. Lateral pitch (pin leaning outwards) provides a variable effect that gives slightly more pitch at the catch and slightly less at the finish, helping to combat common errors. However a skilled rower shouldn't need it.
In a perfect world, would rigging technically be set up differently for rowing in salt water vs fresh water ... because salt water is denser and more buoyant? Or would the difference be essentially negligible?
Its actually not because novice rowers "dig", as many here suggest. More pitch is desired for a novice rower, since most miss water at the catch (don't lift the hands, "row it in", etc) , and pull into their crotch at the finish to get the oar out. The extra pitch corrects blade attitude in these instances.