5/16 - W - Session 1

2a, 60'. Lightweight women were out again this morning. Launched before I even arrived at the house. Catches again today. HR 142-150. Should probably be a solid 145. Most of the work was between 145-149. I've developed a major tendency to thunk my catches. Sometimes I do this as well when sweep rowing. Low rate, square blades. An air gap develops between the blade and the water that then rapidly fills the space. It's like dropping a large stone into a pool of water or a fat kid doing a canonball. Thunk. It can't be efficient. My only hope is that the thunk isn't from the blade hitting the water. There would be even more major power loss if this was so. Catches need to be dropped in effectively. Total loss of downward pressure on the oar handle allowing them to rise nicely and achieve the catch. Strange how when you get tired it becomes hard to not use your muscles. In order to thunk I doubt there is V-splash. At first I thought thunk catching happened behind the blade. The gap caused by driving before the water knew what was happening to it. There is backsplash, I think. The oar does not lock, however, and the blade moves forward through the water instead of having the boat move past the blade. Terrible slippage, leaving the gap behing the blade. But after rowing today I feel like the gap might occur in front of the blade. An air gap from the backing of the blade into the water. And then, thunk-drive. Driving through unsettled water or driving into the water that just thunked. Even worse, starting the drive w/ no water in front of the blade to hold it in place. I'm not a doctor, but either way this is bad. None of this could be true, I haven't experienced this outside of my own seat. It's an interesting concept though. Just filmed Doc for a few passes. I'll have to get a hold of my own video. It's quite humorous to film from the dock and pan across the river. My back hurt a little at the start of the piece today. My thoughts go to overuse injuries caused from the stiffness of S2 superlight oars that do not have cutaway blades. I'll have to be on guard. Must remember to stay tall but still achieve reach/body prep from hips.