Rowing Revolutions: The Future of Technology in Rowing
The sport of rowing has been around since ancient Egyptian times, and the practice of rowing, of course, since early man learned to transport himself over water using the basic principles of a lever. Throughout the years, the sport of rowing has maintained much of its basic execution and conventions, however, advancements have certainly been made. The question is, where will technology drive rowing in the future?
Measuring/Recording
Today there are an increasing number of ways to measure and record what’s going on in a boat. SmartOar is a force measuring tool developed by former Olympian Greg Ruckman. It views and records in real-time, measuring the shape of the force exerted by the oar with each stroke taken. Powerview is another new data tool. Using GPS and a gyroscope, coaches can record a boat’s speed, rate, acceleration, stroke data, pitch/yaw, and much more. Even every rower’s best friend, the erg, got a popular facelift when the RP3 came out, allowing rowers and coaches access to immediate feedback.
Communicating within the Boat
Being able to communicate within a boat is key. Coxswains have a lot on their plate when it comes to effectively communicating to their rowers and getting everyone on the same page. Technology used by coxswains has greatly evolved over the past 50 years, with the advent of Nielsen-Kellerman’s CoxBox and continuing on with StrokeCoaches and SpeedCoaches. Although perhaps such a role-advancing invention on par with the CoxBox hasn’t been produced as of late, it’s sometimes the little things that count. The idea of making coxswain tools lighter, safer, and more reliable has been the main driver of coxing tool advancements in most recent years.
Communicating outside the Boat
Communicating to those outside of the boat is being made easier with new technologies. While coaching advice given in real-time from a launch is the standard, video has allowed for improvements, as coaches can now tape and rewatch footage with the use of GoPros, drones, and apps aimed at allowing clear, close up, distributable recordings, even when a boat is sent out so do pieces on their own.
Cloud-based data analytics and sharing has not only changed the way big data is utilized in marketplaces and social media, but after being used by cyclists and triathletes for years, it is finally making its way to rowing. Information can easily be recorded and shared between coaches and athletes through handy and easily-accessible apps.
With all the growing and evolving technology out there, rowers, coxswains, and coaches have a lot with which to tinker, and tinker they unquestionably will. While the root, heart, and soul of rowing will not change, those involved in the sport will undeniably use technology to continue to push the boundaries on what a human with an oar, or two, can do.
