SURFBOAT RACING
Each race stage presents coaching opportunities. Training procedures can be developed and programmed for specific race stages.
On race day ensure crews are switched on and prepared for each race.
Understand the crews recovery requirements between races, especially in regards to reducing lactic acid build up.
It helps if the training program addresses lactate tolerance.
On race day ensure crews are switched on and prepared for each race.
Understand the crews recovery requirements between races, especially in regards to reducing lactic acid build up.
It helps if the training program addresses lactate tolerance.
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Races can be broken up into definable stages such as:-
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Surfboat racing is complex. They race in a surf environment that is dynamic and variable. There are many stages each with its particular skills and competitive strategies. The surf environment is ever changing varying from calm and smooth to extreme.
Surfboat competitions are held in many divisions including Open Men, Open Women, Under 23 Men, Under 23 Women, Under 19 and Reserves. Women’s crews are the fastest growing sector of surfboats. Masters events are held in age groups formed by the aggregate of the four rowers.
Surfboat racing must comply with the S.L.S.A. Surf Sports Manual which defines eligibility, rules, officials and courses. The typical event is held from the beach to turning buoys laid approximately 400 metres out to sea and back to the beach. Exciting short course racing has been introduced to accentuate surf skills.
Six turning buoys are laid 22 metres apart. Another set of buoys is usually laid between the wave area and the turning buoys to create gates for the boats to return between. The gates are intended to separate the boats in the wave area.
Being a good rower is only part of what it takes to be an effective surfboat competitor. Surf skills and synchronized teamwork increase in importance as conditions become more challenging.
Races start with crews standing beside their boats in knee depth water. The depth may vary due to waves and sloping sea beds. The bow person may in much deeper water than the stroke rower! On the Starters command the crew jumps into the boat and attempt to row the boat off the beach and through the break. The rowing style goes through a transition after the surf zone to smoother more rhythmic rowing. Turning the buoys is an important stage allowing a significant advantage for skilled crews. The row out of the turn may be assisted by swells if the crew can “run” the boat. Rowing home is a matter of holding “form” while searching for runs. The wave zone may or may not provide the assistance of an easy trip home on a boat friendly day. Shallow water and dumping waves can be a Sweeps nightmare and spectators’ joy! Many races are decided in the last 10 strokes in a row over shallow dead water when the body and muscles are screaming.
The most prestigious event is the annual Australian S.L.S.A. Championships held in the period mid March to mid April. These attract more competitors than any other sporting event held in Australia other than the Olympic and Commonwealth Games. Surfboat rowers make up a significant percentage of competitors at the Australian Championships. The A.S.R.L. Australian Open is also held annually in mid February as a surfboat only event. State Championships are held as well as promotional surfboat series. Surfboats are raced each weekend in summer in most regions.
Competitively surfboat racing is a complex sport. A good, skilful surfboat crew may be able to win against a faster rowing crew that has a lower level of surf skills. Race strategies can be based on particular stages to gain a competitive edge.
Surfboat competitions are held in many divisions including Open Men, Open Women, Under 23 Men, Under 23 Women, Under 19 and Reserves. Women’s crews are the fastest growing sector of surfboats. Masters events are held in age groups formed by the aggregate of the four rowers.
Surfboat racing must comply with the S.L.S.A. Surf Sports Manual which defines eligibility, rules, officials and courses. The typical event is held from the beach to turning buoys laid approximately 400 metres out to sea and back to the beach. Exciting short course racing has been introduced to accentuate surf skills.
Six turning buoys are laid 22 metres apart. Another set of buoys is usually laid between the wave area and the turning buoys to create gates for the boats to return between. The gates are intended to separate the boats in the wave area.
Being a good rower is only part of what it takes to be an effective surfboat competitor. Surf skills and synchronized teamwork increase in importance as conditions become more challenging.
Races start with crews standing beside their boats in knee depth water. The depth may vary due to waves and sloping sea beds. The bow person may in much deeper water than the stroke rower! On the Starters command the crew jumps into the boat and attempt to row the boat off the beach and through the break. The rowing style goes through a transition after the surf zone to smoother more rhythmic rowing. Turning the buoys is an important stage allowing a significant advantage for skilled crews. The row out of the turn may be assisted by swells if the crew can “run” the boat. Rowing home is a matter of holding “form” while searching for runs. The wave zone may or may not provide the assistance of an easy trip home on a boat friendly day. Shallow water and dumping waves can be a Sweeps nightmare and spectators’ joy! Many races are decided in the last 10 strokes in a row over shallow dead water when the body and muscles are screaming.
The most prestigious event is the annual Australian S.L.S.A. Championships held in the period mid March to mid April. These attract more competitors than any other sporting event held in Australia other than the Olympic and Commonwealth Games. Surfboat rowers make up a significant percentage of competitors at the Australian Championships. The A.S.R.L. Australian Open is also held annually in mid February as a surfboat only event. State Championships are held as well as promotional surfboat series. Surfboats are raced each weekend in summer in most regions.
Competitively surfboat racing is a complex sport. A good, skilful surfboat crew may be able to win against a faster rowing crew that has a lower level of surf skills. Race strategies can be based on particular stages to gain a competitive edge.
RIGGING A SURFBOAT FOR PERFORMANCE
Some sports pay a great deal of attention to fitting competitors to their apparatus e.g. bicycle fitting is a specialized, expensive service. Few surf clubs have the luxury of ergonomically setting up a craft purely for the individuals of one crew. The competition boat at most clubs is used by several male and female crews of varying body types.
Very few people are capable of rigging (setting up) surfboats to maximize a crew’s performance. Factors include oar length; gearing of oars; angle of square back rowlocks; height of seats; height and angle of feet; and crew weight distribution. Oar gearing refers to ratio of inboard and outboard oar length.
The position of the body and its ability to comfortably place the oar in the water at the catch and take it out cleanly at the finish is paramount to optimising a rower’s performance. I consider Nathan ‘NR’ Perry to be the guru for setting up boats for performance. Attend one of his rigging workshops if the opportunity arises.
Some sports pay a great deal of attention to fitting competitors to their apparatus e.g. bicycle fitting is a specialized, expensive service. Few surf clubs have the luxury of ergonomically setting up a craft purely for the individuals of one crew. The competition boat at most clubs is used by several male and female crews of varying body types.
Very few people are capable of rigging (setting up) surfboats to maximize a crew’s performance. Factors include oar length; gearing of oars; angle of square back rowlocks; height of seats; height and angle of feet; and crew weight distribution. Oar gearing refers to ratio of inboard and outboard oar length.
The position of the body and its ability to comfortably place the oar in the water at the catch and take it out cleanly at the finish is paramount to optimising a rower’s performance. I consider Nathan ‘NR’ Perry to be the guru for setting up boats for performance. Attend one of his rigging workshops if the opportunity arises.
