News

Usula Grobler is both new to rowing and is coached by Carlos Dinares, an avid RP user.  She recenty broke the C2 indoor rowing record for 2k by a massic 2 seconds. 

World Rowing magazine interviewed her.

What we found interesting was what they left out of the text, such as (our words in italics)

World Rowing: Do you use the ergo much in training?
Ursula Grobler: I have only rowed six times on the Concept2 erg since September. [because I only train on the Rowperfect and in the boat].

World Rowing: What did you feel like at the endof the race?

Ursula Grobler:  I was happy it was over. This erg hurts my ribs and messes up my timing at the catch and my coordination on the water.[because a C2 is not a rowing simulator it disrupts my technique]

World Rowing: I understand that you are trying for the US team. Is that avenue now open to you?
Ursula Grobler:  I have my citizenship papers in process. I'm excited to have the support of the USRowing coaches. My coach will build our Olympic crew from Seattle, from his basement with his own system. [Which involves detailed technique coaching and training on linked Rowperfects and force curve analysis to align the two athletes' power]

Congratuations to both Ursula and Carlos.

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We got an enquiry about the range of options available for Rowperfect users who want to get data from their training sessions.  This come came from a large university club in the Thames Valley in the UK.

We currently have three rowperfects, we are interested in purchasing the software for them.  One of  the row perfects was connected to a computer (in DOS-mode) but the computer is ancient and has finally broken.  Could you advise me on the options and cost.  Also, is it possbile to have two row perfects on the same graph?  So two athletes can compare power curves as they are rowing.

Here's our answer

All the Rowperfect items are in our shop.
Rowperfect now uses windows software, Rowperfect for Windows (RPW).  This connects using the same black interface box that you have on your DOS machine but requires a small hardware upgrade in order to work.  

Therefore your options are:

1 - Buy an upgrade for the Dos interface £95 incl VAT.  Note you have to mail the black box back to us and it takes around a fortnight to process an upgrade.
2 - buy a USB to serial port adapter for a modern computer.  £33 This connects into the same interface cable you already have for the RP. Note not all adapters work with RPW so we recommend you buy this one from us which we know works.
3 - if you need a new interface cable £15 (only if the old one is missing or broken)
4 - buy new RPW software and interface boxes for the other two RPs £250 each.  Note this comes with interface cables but NOT USB adapter so you may need more of them.
5 - if your coach is interested in analysing and overlaying graphs of athletes, he might like to buy the SEAN Software Analysis programme which enables multiple uploads of sessions by different athletes.  SEAN is sold by a different company, Row Ware in the Netherlands.  Specifications for SEAN  and free trial download .  Pricing Euros 198.00

You might also want to buy some link bars so if you race in crews (as I think you do for the eights head) these join two RPs so each pair down the crew can train together and learn to move synchronously £40

To answer your last question, no you cannot have two power curves on the same graph WHILE you are training.  You can however upload a sample curve and have both athletes train to match that sample.  We have sample curves available from top internationals for you including Mahe Drysdale and Greg Searle  .  BUT in SEAN your coach can upload multiple athletes training session files and compare them stroke by stroke so afterwards you can see exactly what each man was doing in the training session.  There are 33 different data points recorded and each one can by analysed for each stroke taken.

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We have 8 second hand rowperfect rowing simulators for sale.

4 have interfaces (3 DOS and 1 RPW)

Previous owner is a school who bought half new and half from the ARA.  One was serviced by Rowperfect UK in Dec 2007. 

Buy them in the shop

UPDATE: august only four remaining

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If you are the owner of the Session Management (SEAN) software for rowperfect for windows (RPW) there is an update available.

(more…)

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Note: SEAN is the coaches software for use with the rowperfect for windows programme.  

Hi everyone,

The first update after quite some time. Finally managed to get SEAN to adopt the Windows XP and Vista themes, if used.You can download the software and manual from Row Ware or from within SEAN itself by choosing "Update" from the "Help" menu, when you have an active internet connection available.
You can also obtain the latest version at any time, by sending an e-mail to getsean@row-ware.com  (subject and message body are not relevant). This will result in an autoreply mail being sent back within 10 minutes, with the installer of the latest version of SEAN : Session Analysis attached as a ZIP file. Sending an e-mail to getseanm@row-ware.com will result in an autoreply that also contains the full manual in PDF format (note the extra "m" in the address). As the second one is rather large, I made both options available (with and without manual, that is).

# How do I … ?

This months question:
Q. Can SEAN be run on Windows Vista?

A. Yes (finally).

# Pricing (discount to support good intentions!)

An unlimited License Key for SEAN : Session Analysis costs 198.- EURO, including VAT. A License Key comes with clear installation instructions, the manual in PDF, unlimited support by e-mail and free upgrades to future versions of SEAN with the same features.
Multiple licenses of SEAN can be purchased at considerable discount rates. Please contact us for more information.

Orders placed before January 1st, 2009 are entitled to a 10% price reduction, to support peoples good intentions for the new year

This action only applies to SEAN licenses and can not be combined with other discounts.

# Work in progress

Items I will be working on for the next couple of months:

* Improve MkIV connection.
* Port the source from Delphi to Free Pascal.
* Improve video. Faster updating is needed for real time analysis.
* Add Split times to the Row window and Results dialogue.
* Rewrite the Race window, so you can row "against" a previous
   recorded training session, which can then be used as a pacer.

# Release Notes

version 1.1.0.0 - december 4, 2008

* Windows XP and Vista theme support.version 1.0.4.3 - September 29, 2008
* Fixed error in TXT export of Force curves.

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Rpw : Rowperfect for Windows Update (September 2007)
 
Hi everyone, some small fixes this time, mainly addressing heart-rate readout issues. As always, the full release notes of this version can be found below. 

You can download the software from 
rpw-without-manual-1041.exe

RPW will only record data when connected to a MKIV monitor, or a re-programmed PC interface. This implies that upgrading from CARE/DOS to RPW means getting your current PC interface re-programmed. Please contact your local Rowperfect agent for details.

Q. Can I use Rpw on a PC without a serial port?
 
A. Yes and no.  We have been able to use RPW through an USB-to-serial adapter, testing several brands and models. However, not *all* cables tested have proven to be useable. Therefore, we suggest to use a serial port when available, and only switch to a USB adapter when strictly needed. 

# Recording, and then what?

Q. Why should I record all this data for every stroke in the first place?
A. To analyse your work, real time (during the training session) or off-line (when done), and thus monitoring performance, progress and athletes compatibility. With RPW, you can analyse 2 files at the same time. To do a thorough analysis of larger amounts of data, try SEAN : Session Analysis. 

# Release Notes version 1.0.4.1 - August 29, 2007

* The splash screen will show an "About" button, when the software has expired.
* Improved heart rate read-out.
* Time and heart rate are now continuously updated when the flywheel is not spinning, approximately once every two seconds. Note: this is done ONLY when connected to the interface. That is, when a training session is in progress; NOT when a session has been finished or canceled.

* Parameter cells in the Row window are now displaying the start value for a count down session (e.g. distance), right from the beginning; NOT only after the first stroke has been made.
 

Version 1.0.4.0 - January 9, 2007
* Support for reading KkIV files has been added. Now, MKS (Session),
 MKR (Strokes) and MKI (User settings) files can be read. These files are generated by MKIV monitors with software version 0.32 and later.

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A group of international athletes has provided us with sample curves of their technique when training on the Rowperfect.

Here is a zipped file from which you can download them.  Most are from the DOS software and a couple are from Rowperfect for Windows software (RPW).

RP Stroke Files

the athletes include:

• Mahe Drysdale (Hwt Man)
• Sarah Winckless (Hwt Woman)
• Tracey Langlands (Lwt Woman)
• Vaclav Chalupa (Hwt Man)
• Teresa Mas de Xaxars (Lwt Woman)
• Greg Searle (Hwt Man)
• Karin Scanlon (Lwt Woman)

THese can be uploadedinto the RPW software to form a template against which you can do your own training…. And if you find that you aren't (quite) as strong as Mahe, you can use the Stroker Programme in DOS to re-size the curve to fit your own capabilities.  e.g. reduce overall length by 15% and reduce overall height by 20%.

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What a brilliant idea.  As you row on your ergo, why not watch the world go by….. in real time?

There are some wonderful crazy rowing guys and girls around the world.

Fancy sculling the Zambezi, rowing Rodeo Drive, causing havoc in
China?  it's all possible thanks to a fun little plug-in and some help
from Google Earth !

Here's how to do it ….

Here's what the Google Earth Blog said.

Why not hook up your rowing machine and practice rowing your
favorite river from the comfort of your exercise room? That's what these guys did.  They wrote an application to interface between a Concept II PM3 using a USB cable and Google Earth so you can then row yourself down the river.   

This is a great concept, but could use some more innovation to make
it more practical. Right now it apparently just shows a view of the
river as you row yourself along. You could show a boat icon with your
position, show your track, put up your current speed and distance to
finish, etc. In fact, you could use the new time features in GE 4 to
show animations of your previous runs. This tool enables you to do
familiarization with a new river before you even get there in person
(the same way I use GE or a flight simulator for familiarization before
I fly to a new airport). Of course, you could also do fun things like
row the Grand Canyon, go down 5th avenue in NYC, or do the Pacific
Ocean! via OgleEarth.

Would someone out there write a version for Rowperfect?  Justus is the king of the software and would happily collaborate with you, I'm sure.
his site is www.row-ware.com

Cheers!
Rebecca Caroe

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We recieved this question from Nick Panza, coach at Yale University. 

We use the rowperfects a lot at my university and I had a few questions about them. 

My primary question revolves around being able to enter different weights and how that affects your splits, watts, power on the screen, if it does at all. 

For example, over a 2000m piece, if someone who actually weighs 75kilos and enters 75kilos averages a 1:25.0 split for the piece….if he did the same piece with the same settings but changed his weight to 70kilos, would his split be a lot faster?  Does the weight adjust the split or anything else?  Thanks very much for your reply. 

Nick Panza

Our reply

The algorithm behind the RP software works like this.  The power (joules / watts) you pull is an absolute measure.  If you pull 500 joules and I pull the same it is the same number and totally unadjusted for our respective body weights.

BUT the athlete's body weight and the boat class affect the 500m split score because this is a derived number. 

To answer your question about the 75 / 70kg athlete.  Yes he would go faster at 70 kg as the computer assumes he is carrying the weight of his boat plus his body mass.  If the body mass is lower the score improves for the same amount of power exerted.

I did a test of this once while training alongside a Lwt lady who was about 10kgs lighter than me (thanks Marjan!).   I tried to pull the same watts score as her.  When I did (approximately) my 500m split was about 8 seconds slower than hers. Which proves the point.

I attach a document detailing a re-verification of the algorithm done by Casper Rekers which I think you'll find interesting reading!  It still holds true from original 1991 data to today!
Rowperfect algorithm

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Rpw : Rowperfect for Windows Update (January 2007)

• How do I … ?
• Recording, and then what?
• Release Notes

Hi everyone,

again some small fixes this time. As usual, the full release notes can be found below.

You can download the software from the following URL

http://www.row-ware.com/rpw/1-0-4-0/

You can also obtain the latest version at any time, by sending an e-mail to get-rpw@row-ware.com  (subject and message body are not relevant). This will result in an autoreply mail being sent back within 10 minutes, with the installer of the latest version of Rowperfect for Windows attached as a ZIP file.

Rpw will only record data when connected to a MkIV monitor, or a re-programmed PC interface. This implies that upgrading from CARE/DOS to Rpw means getting your current PC interface re-programmed. Please contact your local Rowperfect agent for details, or contact Rowperfect Pty Ltd in Australia (info@rowperfect.com.au).

To try Rpw with older (non-re-programmed) interfaces, please obtain the Rowperfect for Windows TRIAL version by sending an e-mail to get-rpwt@row-ware.com  (note the extra "t").

# How do I … ? —————————————————–
This months question:

Q. My old laptop seems to hang when doing long sessions with Rpw. Can
    anything be done about it?

A. Long sessions means accumulating lots of data. As Rpw stores all
    parameters of all strokes in a session, after 20 minutes (or even
    less, depending on computer hardware) the PC runs out of memory and
    processor power. There are 2 ways to prevent this to happen, aside
    from the obvious "don't do long sessions"
    1. Switch of the Strokedata chart in the Row window, by right-
       clicking it.
    2. Add a line to the INI file limiting the number of strokes
       visible in this chart (see release notes). All data will still
       be stored, but only the last x strokes will be visible during
       the session.

# Recording, and then what? ——————————————
Simple question: why should I record all this data for every stroke in the first place?
Simple answer: to analyse your work, real time (during the training
session) or off-line (when done), and thus monitoring performance, progress and athletes compatibility. With Rpw, you can analyse 2 files at the same time. To do a thorough analysis of larger amounts of data, try SEAN : Session Analysis.  See http://www.row-ware.com/ for details on SEAN.

# Release Notes ——————————————————

Version 1.0.4.0 - January 9, 2007
* Support for reading MkIV files has been added. Now, MKS (Session),
   MKR (Strokes) and MKI (User settings) files can be read. These files
   are generated by MkIV monitors with software version 0.32 and later.

Version 1.0.3.1 - November 5, 2006
* Right-clicking on the charts in the Row window was not possible when
   they had been set to "Empty" and the programme was re-started. This
   has been fixed.
* Running the programme on older hardware, with limited processor
   and/or memory capacity, could result in badly updated charts in the
   Row window, especially with long sessions (20 minutes and more). To
   address this, users can switch off the data chart on the right by
   right-clicking it, and selecting "Empty". Alternatively, one can
   setup the programme to just show the last x strokes, in stead of the
   whole training session. To do so, add a line "DataRange=x" in the
   INI file in the [Row] section, where X denotes the number of strokes
   to plot. The minimum is 5, meaning "always show at most the last 5
   strokes".

Version 1.0.3.0 - July 30, 2006
* Some small fixes in the Manual have been made.
* Right-clicking on the training sessions list in any of the analysis
   windows will show a pop-up menu to (de-)activate the selected
   session and to set the chart properties. The same parameters can be
   set by either (un-)ticking the check box, or double clicking the
   line.
* When connected to an old-style PC interface, an obscure error
   message was displayed (the so called "protocol error"). This has
   been improved.
* The date limitation on Rpw, which used to be approximately two months,
   has been removed. From now on, the software does not expire any
   more.
   Please note: Rpw Trial still DOES expire after a couple of months
   trial period.

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