Session 2: Hitting the Water - Basic Stroke Sequencing
Session 1
Introduction
Session 2
Building Skills
Session 3
Refinement
Session 4
Independence
Welcome to your second Learn to Scull session! This guide will help you understand what to expect as you transition from ergometer to on-water rowing, applying the stroke sequence you learned in Session 1 to the boat environment.
Session 2 Objectives
By the end of this session, you should have experience rowing on the water, begin developing the proper recovery sequence, and understand basic feathering and squaring.
Preparation for Session 2
- Watch the Session 2 Videos to prepare for this session.
- Review the River Rules and Safety guidelines
- It's normal to feel nervous about getting into a boat - everyone does!
- Remember the "arms-body-slide" recovery sequence from Session 1
- Be prepared to get wet (wear appropriate clothing)
- Eat a small meal 1-2 hours before class
- Bring water and sun protection
- Wear close-fitting but comfortable clothes
Preparation Tip
The recovery sequence (arms away, body over, then slide forward) is the most critical skill you'll practice in this session. Mentally rehearse this sequence before arriving.
Skills Practice
Review & Optional Warm-up
- Brief Q&A about Session 1
- Optional Ergometer warm-up: Review Pick Drill progression (arms, arms & body, 1/4 slide, 1/2 slide, full slide)
- Optional Ergometer: Practice Pause Drills (pause at hands away, pause at body prep)
- Focus on smooth transitions between stroke phases
- Special emphasis on "arms-body-slide" recovery sequence
Equipment Preparation & Safety Briefing
- Learning "oars down first" procedure
- Boat sign-out process
- Safe carrying techniques to the dock (coach demonstration)
- Briefing on basic river traffic rules (e.g., stay to starboard side, between the islands and the big tree / small dock).
Launching Your Boat
- Review of dock commands and procedures
- Step-by-step launching process
- Individual practice with coach supervision
On-Water Session (with break)
- Applying recovery sequencing on water
- Focus on "arms away, body over, then slide"
- Basic turning practice
- Practice basic sequencing: legs-body-arms for the drive, arms-body-legs for the recovering
- Focus on control and awareness, linking strokes
- Building comfort with the unstable boat
- Coach feedback on common errors and corrections
Landing & Wrap-up
- Review dock approach techniques
- Safe landing practice
- Equipment cleaning and proper storage
- Preview of Session 3 focus areas
Key Technique Exercises You'll Learn
This technique is used for making gentle adjustments to your course. The specific approach varies slightly depending on whether you are stationary/moving very slowly or already rowing with some momentum.
Turning When Stationary or Moving Very Slowly:
- To initiate a turn, one arm can be used to stabilize the boat by holding the oar handle steady, often with the blade flat on the water or slightly submerged for balance.
- The other arm performs gentle, short strokes (often arms and body only) to pivot the boat.
Turning While Rowing (Continuous Turn):
- Apply slightly more pressure with the oar on the outside of the turn. (e.g., to turn the bow to port, apply more pressure with the starboard oar).
- The oar on the inside of the turn takes lighter strokes or trails lightly in the water with the blade feathered or square just above the surface.
Remember to look where you want to go. For more significant or sharper turns, especially from a stationary position, you might use a Pivot Turn (covered in Session 3).
After This Session
- Optionally review the Session 2 Quiz.
- Practice your recovery sequence mentally
- Review the Session 2 Videos to reinforce what you've learned.
- Review the river traffic pattern diagrams provided
- Consider watching the videos recommended for Session 3
Looking Ahead to Session 3
Session 3 will focus on developing effective leg drive and power application while introducing navigation principles and river traffic patterns.