How much slower is a training scull?

[randallpatrickc]

1st - I have no competitive aspirations - I'm an unfit 60 year old trying to learn to scull on my own on a SW Florida canal system. As the water is nasty I bought an Edon TS515 training scull (5.1m, pontoon-equipped, polyethelene).

I'm managing to get out 4 or 5 times a week and am curious as to what sort of speeds I should be aiming for. I'm aware that waterline length affects boat speed and the pontoons must have some drag as I roll from side to side..

I have known distances I row and am in the process of fitting a Speedcoach thingy but haven't a clue of what I should expect.

Has anyone experience of times for this type of boat please?

** edit - obviously I'm just looking for a sort of theoretical "instantaneous speed" over just a few strokes as opposed to how quick I can drag it over 2000m! **

Hopefully,
Patrick

Edon TS515 training scull

Edon.JPG (395.34 KiB) Viewed 3382 times

[randallpatrickc]

The fastest pace I can maintain even for a short while is 2m 38s (yes - for 500m..)
Is that pathetic?
Should I give up?

[tpj]

A lot of masters guys that I row with that do well at Masters Nationals and the Charles will row steady states in singles anywhere between 2:30 and 2:10. I know that is a broad range, but it should give you a general idea of boat speed. I'd say a 2:38 split going flat out is brutally slow. The biggest drawback that I can think of to rowing a slower boat is (outside of it being potentially heavy) that you don't really get a feel for how to catch the blades in the water. However, you are getting in great resistance training and a great workout - and isn't that the point? If you want to race, get a racing boat. If you don't care and just want to enjoy the intrinsic benefits of rowing throw that stopwatch away and enjoy the feel of the boat and the work you are putting into the water to make the boat move (and the scenery). At some point, you may want to get a faster boat just because it can be more of a challenge and it is really fun to experience the glide of a racing shell - especially when you've been rowing a recreational type boat. Hope this is helpful. Have fun out there!

[The Stig]

In a training boat with pontoons on it? Probably not. That's a lot of drag there.

Don't worry so much about your split. Focus on rowing well and get your heart rate to about 120-130 and work on being efficient for 60-90 minutes. You're out of shape and you don't know how to scull, so your goal should be to learn to scull well while improving your fitness. It'll take time, so enjoy the learning process and all that the canal has to offer. Keep with it, and maybe you'll feel confident enough to ditch the pontoons eventually.

[tpj]

I should clarify that 2:38 / 500 for a flat out 500m is slow compared to a racing shell. I have no idea what would be a good time for a person in a training boat. I wonder if you could get that boat surfing on the ocean with those pontoons - that would add some speed!

[randallpatrickc]

Thanks chaps - very good advice. And the good thing is that I'm really enjoying this LTR thing regardless of speed.. However, as I'm sure you guys know, of course everyone really wants to race! Not having anyone ro race I just want to to if I'm doing ok and I'm seeking a sort of benchmark for this boat rowed by someone who knows what they are doing. I've asked the UK & USA importers what their times are (I think they are both accomplished rowers) but they haven't timed themselves. I thought someone on here might have an idea. I'm ever hopeful - maybe someone in a school program or something will chip in with their timings.

I do appreciate your encouragements. And I can report that it's quite possible to surf down what goes for a wave down here. Strange feeling!
I've peeped into the compound of a nearby rowing club and see they have a couple of singles there. Worst case, I'll stop by and see if I can get someone to row my trainer for me and take notes

I've taken the pontoons off once (in nicer water) and that was a great feeling. However it was in an alligator infested backwater so I just did a big circle (grinning wildly) and hopped ashore again. I didn't have the Speedcoach fitted so don't know if it was much fastyer - it certainly felt much better. I need to get down to the Gulf on a nice flat day and get the spanners out again.

Again, thanks for the encouragment.