The Complete Rowing Stroke Demonstrated by Olympic Gold Medalists

World-champion rower John Dunn uses stop-motion video of Olympic gold medalists David Crawshay and Scott Brennan to show you the complete rowing stroke move by move. John analyzes every stage of the stroke, from catch to drive to release, and even shows you what the team's blades looked like at each stage. You'll see exactly how these champion rowers powered through the water and dominated the men's double sculls event in Beijing.
John Dunn is a U.S. National Team medalist and the co-owner and rowing coach at Calm Waters Rowing, a rowing camp for beginning and experienced rowers alike. 

This video is part of the "Introduction to Rowing Technique" series produced by Calm Waters Rowing on their private lake in Lancaster, Virginia.
www.calmwatersrowing.net

[@AnnaHughes9]

Thank you so much for this fantastic video. I have watched it at least 25 times and shared it with others in my rowing club. Every time I watch I learn something new. This is the best analysis of the rowing stroke that I've seen. Thanks again!

[@psychiatrypsychotherapy6939]

Excellent comments

[@remoindoorenmendoza]

Excellent!!

[@rowingwithcalmwaters]

There are many good singles available these days. I would suggest looking at Filippi, Empacher, Hudson, Fluid Design and Kaschper to start. Good luck.

[@ronaldocarvalho4899]

The Best 💪💪💪👏👏👏 Technique

[@rowingwithcalmwaters]

Ronaldo! So good to hear from you!! Hope you're well.

[@Lima-Liam]

I didn't know Jack Nicholson was so knowledgeable about rowing!

[@airbrush123]

I looked into the Resolute shell do you. recomend any other brands?

[@justsomething4]

Yeahhhh aussiessss!!!

[@mikegalet9685]

not so perfect technique...but they are strong and completely together...

[@KillrBuckEyeKicksAss]

Are you an Olympian with a gold medal? Yeah, didn't think so

[@mikecrook8434]

@@KillrBuckEyeKicksAss Their backs are rounded during the drive. That is a bad technique. They are setting themselves up for low-back pain and injury, which is the common complaint many rowers have.

[@Harry-uo3vd]

@@mikecrook8434 Mind if I take a look at some of your medals from the world stage?

[@mikecrook8434]

Harry 123 What are you talking about? I’ll

[@mikecrook8434]

George Deleon The information I wrote is correct. It’s a fact that many Olympic rowers suffer from back pain owing to incorrect rowing posture. Are you denying that? I’m not making assumptions. I’ve heard them discuss it. I’ve heard coaches discuss it. Don’t get your panties in a twist. Do your research.

[@priitl.8031]

damn go estonia lol

[@okexcavatingltd.3556]

I like seeing them race but man this video was annoying

[@mikecrook8434]

At 4.45, the drive phase, I see two rounded backs, which indicates very poor posture, which means they will likely suffer from low back pain sooner or later if they're not already experiencing it. Their rowing coach should consult with a bodybuilding trainer with regard to posture when doing the "bent-over" row weight exercise. To eliminate low-back pain or injury, rowers need to keep their backs straight and their heads up during the drive phase of the rowing movement.

[@rowingwithcalmwaters]

Sorry, Mike, we respectfully disagree. If you look at any rower in this race or in any race at the Olympics, they pretty much all have rounded backs. It's the straight back that will cause back issues.

[@mikecrook8434]

@@rowingwithcalmwaters Are you familiar with, or have you ever tried doing the bent-over row in weight training? Doing this effective exercise movement without keeping your lower back straight will cause low-back problems. The posture of the bent-over row has a huge comparable aspect to the drive phase of sculling. When I began exercising on a rowing machine in the gym, I watched and copied how Olympic rowers did it. Before long, I began to experience low-back strain. So, I experimented. I kept my back straight as if doing the bent-over row in weight training. My low back strain disappeared. I own a sculling rowboat. It's a Whitehall Solo 14. I do open ocean rowing four to five times a week in Mexico for no less than one-hour each time out (I'm retired). I row hard and non-stop. I keep my back straight during the drive phase and am happy to report that I don't experience any backpain whatsoever due to keeping proper posture. It's your privilege to disagree about technique, but it's mine to share information with others that can prevent them from injuring themselves.

[@rowingwithcalmwaters]

Please watch the Olympians and tell me how many straight backs you find. I've been rowing for over 40 years - high school, college, national team and competitive masters rowing. Rounded back the entire career, no back injuries. Rowing is a horizontal sport, your weightlifting comparison is vertical.

[@mikecrook8434]

If a person rows with poor technique, especially rowing with a curved rather than straight back, injuries such as back pains are likely. Period. To enlarge upon that sentence, in short, it's saying TO KEEP YOUR BACK FLAT. Any rowing coach worth his or her salt knows this. If you completely disagree, then you haven't learned much in forty years. Also, some of your marginal comments are in sharp contrast to what I wrote. A person in the gym doing bent-over rows correctly keeps a straight back and bends forward at the waist in the same way a rower in a boat rowing correctly keeps a straight back and bends forward at the waist during the drive phase. YOUR statements don't relate to what I said. Perhaps you have a long learning curve. I don't know. I do know that you don't have to concentrate on analyzing my posts as I communicate clearly and concisely. Just recognize the importance of accuracy before responding.

[@rowingwithcalmwaters]

I'll keep it simple, please watch Olympic rowers and tell me what you see. Straight backs or rounded backs?