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At the moment of writing this review, I was following a coaching course of the Dutch National Olympic Committee (NOC/NSF). For this course I was searching for information about rigging. In this quest I stumbled over this book written by Mike Davenport.

The title of this book was challenging enough to see if it would satisfy my needs.

I just started reading and at first I was a little ambiguous about the book. But 200 pages later, I became more enthusiastic over it. First I thought the writing style and layout was a little bit too popular and sometimes ironical. But now after finishing the book for a while, I think it's a good manner to keep the readers attention. On the other hand I can imagine that there are experienced Riggers (i.e. the persons who do the rigging) who find it a little too much.

Mike divides Riggers in four dimensions and there is even a little quiz in the book (which is fun!). Here you can find out which dimension you're in.

I made it just to the fourth dimension (very experienced) and was curious what the book would offer me and what not.

Where was I looking for? First I wanted information about how to explain to a rower, simple and clear, how to rig a boot for his personal need. At this point the book is superb, you can find all the information you need, about why, about your numbers and how to do it with the right karma (as the author calls it).

Second, I wanted to know if my own ideas where sound ones, seek a little confidence. The book didn't let me down.

And last, I was hoping to find some ideas to make my rigging faster. This is where the book doesn't give concrete answers. What you can find is how you should experiment and find your own fast rigging numbers. In a way this point of view is a reasonable one. There are so many technical styles of rowing and even more differences in the physics of rowers. Covering every aspect of those differences, would result in a huge encyclopedia of rigging.

Luckily the book gives hints and tips how to do it and where to find the necessary information including the writer's website: maxrowing.com.

So how do I rate this book, well it's a book that everyone who has to do a rigging job should have read. It should be present in every boathouse. Therefore I disagree with the cover text "The book I NEVER lend out". I would say: "The book I'll lend out to everyone who wants to do some rigging and wants to know how".

The last thing I like to say about the book, it's a pity that it's not translated into Dutch.

JD van den Berg
Dutch rowing coach

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Steve Dance has been triallig two pairs of Dreher Aero sculls and he won the Upper Thames fours and small boats head at the weekend.

Steve Dance (bow) and Rob Wilson (stroke) using a Predatoar double from Intersport Racing Shells and Dreher Aero sculls.  Second photo has Andy Ciceiersky at stroke.

Picture Credits: Steve Dance and Birdman Photography

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Peter Mallory is writing a history of world rowing, focusing on technique and coaching.  He is writing the chapters on Colin Porter and Jumbo Edwards at present and has written to us asking if anyone has experience of the coaching and technique used by them, would they read his draft text and comment.

 If you want a copy, please get in touch and we'll send you the pdf as well as connecting you directly with Peter Mallory.

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Graeme Coleman was the doughty club sculler who took on the might of international giants in last week's Wingfield Sculls race.  Here is his write-up for Rowperfect's readers.

A 300 mile round trip for a 20 minute slog along a windy, choppy stretch of tidal water, against opposition I realistically had no chance of beating might not sound on the face of it like the constituents of a good day out.  The reality of my first Wingfields Challenge against the top two scullers in the world was quite the opposite.

By the time we boated the tide was nicely flowing in against the prevailing head wind creating tough conditions.  This is something you just don’t get on the Trent![Graeme sculls for Nottingham and Union RC ]  Head down off the start, I looked up after 5 rocky strokes and to my surprise I was still pretty much level, conditions were rough but this didn’t stop Campbell quickly getting into his stride and  powering past me (no surprise there).

The final result showed up the true gulf in class between the decent amateur and the top pros.  I was asked afterwards if I felt I was the only true Amateur in the race, of course I was but the event wouldn’t be what it is if the best in the world didn’t take part.

Graeme Coleman

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Barrie Robinson the inventor of the OarRATER rating watch has got a nice review in NZ Rowing Magazine .

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We have heard about a second hand Rowperfect for sale by a club in Scotland.

I spoke yesterday to the club who is selling it. They are going to send down some details about the condition it's in and the repairs that are needed to get it working well and the price they are seeking.

Anyone interested, please get in touch.

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The Wingfield Sculls is one of the most prestigious events for British club scullers.  Raced on the Tideway head course it has been raced since 1830 as an annual event for men and, since 2007 also for women.  See link for full results, history and background to Mr Wingfield, the founder.

Raced yesterday, the conditions were blustery and the water was quite choppy.

Grant Craies was at Putney (servicing Rowperfects) and took this photo of Alan Campbell leading Mahe Drysdale (Tideway Scullers' School) and Graeme Coleman (Nottingham and Union RC) along the moored boats.

British Rowing were quick to claim credit with a press release about the results. And the Telegraph has full timing results.

How about getting some more club scullers to enter next year?  Graeme shows us how great it is to line up with world champions in a race that is open to the unexpected (as any race on the Tideway can be).  And why don't more national squad members participate?

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The Good Coxswain Guides are a series of 12 booklets developed specifically for coaching and training coxswains.

We have been given three complete printed sets as review copies for Rowperfect's customers to test out.  We intend selling them as electronic e-books (pdf) and so these are a really nice opportunity for a club to get hold of a full printed set of booklets.

If you would like to review them, please email us saying why you'd like to review them and which people in your club would help with the review.  Would you like electronic or printed versions of the booklets?

 You will have two weeks to read and review them and we'll publish your work here on the website and in the online shop.

The booklet titles are:-

• The cox and the boat
• Steering the boat
• Using the voice
• Preparation for the water
• Launching and landing the boat
• Responsibilities on the water
• The coxswain as coach
• Race day - preparation
• Starting and racing
• Safety on the water
• Further drills for the cox as coach
• Coaching the coxswain
• Logbook of personal records- outings, race plans, self-assessment

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Nic Bourne has joined the Rowperfect UK team.

He will be working with us on the day to day running of the website shop and will be the person you probably speak to when you call us up.

If you want to be the first to congratulate him, his mobile number is 07939 584140 - go on, send him a text and introduce yourself!

Nic is an accomplished coach, sculler and coastal boat rower and has been a driving force in establishing the Teign Scullers Club near his home in Teignmouth.

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'Tis the season to get prepared early for festivities and Rowperfect has teamed up with Linda Thomas and her newly formed company, RowCo, to supply you with rowing and sculling themed seasonal greetings cards.

RowCo offers a new and distinctive range of cards, gifts and clothing from Henley on Thames.  Its delightful range of snowy Christmas cards scenes are perfect for rowers, and it also offers a personalised Christmas card service.  RowCo Christmas cards can be overprinted with a selected greeting and personalisation details of company name and address. 

Rowperfect is selling 7 card designs in packs of 10 cards.  Our "Gifts for Rowers" section of the shop has a range of Christmas present ideas.

RowCo was set up by Linda Thomas who loves rowing at Henley and started to row in Durham 40 years ago.  The photography for most of the cards was taken beside the river in Henley and at Henley Royal Regatta, and many of the products are from Henley based suppliers.
 
To view the full range of products including single cards, posters and clothing please visit the website .  Or contact Linda on 07740 626640 or email enquiries@rowco.co.uk for more information.   

Here is the full range of card images - we suspect we know the identity of the sculler in the last image….

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