GET MORE EFFICIENT: GET FASTER ON THE WATER AND LIGHTER ON THE BUDGET

By Frank Biller

OK, I got no intention of beating the “bad economy drum”. However, fact is that many programs, clubs and individuals are facing certain budget cuts. Having limited resources forces us to be more efficient – on the budget, and yes, on the water, too. Rowing is not cheap and it’s difficult to make cuts, for practical reasons but also emotionally. I think that in these times quality and value are especially important. Value for the Dollar spent!

Perhaps you are forced to row your boat another year as your purchase had to be postponed? Perhaps the new set of oars won’t be available until the Fall? Chances are you still have some funds to spend. The question is how?

How about you invest in efficiency? Become a more efficient coach by knowing what makes the boat go faster and what does not. Help your athletes improve and see the improvement. Learn about the tendencies and weaknesses of your crew in training and racing, each stroke as you experience it in real time.

Look at it this way: if you got $2,000 to spend it won’t buy you a new boat and won’t be enough for these new blades you wanted. But it will be enough to completely equip your two top boats and your coaching launch with XL3, wiring, impeller, spare parts and still not use up all the money. We can guarantee you an almost immediate benefit. And even if your boat “only” improves by two seconds over 2,000 meters, it has cost you less than $555 per second! Now this is value for the Dollar spent, isn’t it?

To equip an eight the cost is $609, one additional unit for coach is $499, total $1,108. Divided by two seconds results in $554 cost per second.

I LOVE THIS THING!

By Phil Ratterman, long-time speed instrument user

I started using the Pace Coach in 1995. I found it makes my sculling more fun and enjoyable. I now have the Speed Coach Gold and it is much better, because it gives me more details and is smaller. I keep it in the rotating mode because each readout is important. It tells me how I am doing and when I'm more efficient.

I sometimes think I'm doing well until I look at the monitor, and then I need to adjust my rowing technique until it gets back to a more efficient movement.

I have rowed over 12,500 miles on the water and over 10,000 miles on the rowing machine and still moving on. I ran 32,000 miles before I started rowing. Rowing, to me, is the most physically and emotionally enjoyable sport I have ever participated in.

Details are important, and the SpeedCoach tells me where I am and lets me know what I need to do to improve. Even though I'm almost 75, each day that I row is a fun experience. I log each row into my computer, so I can see my trend and it gives me more motivation. I also have a Heart Monitor to finish all of the pertinent details required to be a better rower.

If you don't know where you are, how will you know when you get there?

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