Catch
To enter the blades in the water, only the hands lift. The head and shoulders remain at
the same height. Legs are compressing with no stop in their movement. Catch is quick but
not hard.
Full Reach
Full body swing forward with
- shins vertical
- chin above knees
- chest on thigh
This may be slightly more upright than in the sweep oar position. There is no stop of seat
or hands at this stage.
Late Recovery
Forward body swing continues as seat moves to front position. Blade is almost square (not
shown). Arms are fully extended with wrists flat.
Mid Recovery
Forward body swing from the base of the seat continues. Blade starts to square (not shown)
by pulling handle into the base of the fingers and the top of the palm.
Early Recovery
Body swings over and knees are allowed to lift. Centre of gravity is between seat and feet
in a stable, balanced position with constant speed on the slide to the catch.
Hands away
Hands move away so that arms are relaxed but straight while body and legs remain in the
relaxed finished position. Approaching cross over point of the hands. Left hand is
slightly above and astern of right hand.
Release
Hands move down to release the blade from the water before the blade is turned. The body
does not move. Note especially that the shoulders and elbow height remain the same as in
the previous position. Handle is rolled into fingers after release. Refer to hand grip for
more details.
Finish
Note powerful position of body, shoulders and the arms in the last part of the accelerated
draw.
- wrists flat
- forearms horizontal
- elbows and shoulders put back
- hands ready to circle down and away.
Catch