Important - Stroke Synchronization

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Important - Stroke Synchronization

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The RowPro 3D Display shows an on-water rowing scene in true 3D. As you row, the 3D Display moves an on-screen boat along a realistic 3D on-water rowing course in real-time, accurately matching the boat's position to the distance reading on your Indoor Rower. The 3D Display also moves the on-screen rower and oars accurately through each stroke, keeping time with the stroke action of the person on the Indoor Rower.

Timing across multiple strokes

RowPro is engineered to synchronize the onscreen rower's strokes with you as you row. However RowPro only learns about each stroke you take once you have completed it, so RowPro uses advanced technology to predict how long your next stroke will take.

When you row at a steady stroke rate, these predictions are very accurate and the onscreen rower synchronizes with your stroke action. When you change your stroke rate, the onscreen rower takes a stroke or two to re-synchronize with you.

The 'prime directive' for the Oarsman is to do the best it can to reach the finish of each stroke at the same time you do. In other words the Oarsman's job is to match you stroke by stroke.

Timing within each stroke

Digital Rowing has paid particular attention to ensuring that the on-screen rower uses excellent technique. Olympic Rowing Coach Brian Hawthorne, who has coached a number of World and Olympic Champions, has worked closely with Digital Rowing graphics designers to ensure the on-screen rower has world-class rowing technique and uses excellent timing within each stroke. In particular:

The time within each stroke spent on the Drive (the part of the stroke when you're pulling) versus the recovery (the part when you're not pulling) is set to 1:2 at 24 strokes per minute, and is automatically ramped up when your stroke rate increases, and down when it decreases, to match what Coach Brain Hawthorne considers to be ideal stroke timing.
The times when the Oarsman bends elbows, knees, trunk etc are set to match what Coach Brain Hawthorne considers to be ideal timing for these actions.

 

An important point to note is that within each stroke the Oarsman makes no attempt to match your timing, rather the Oarsman is showing you the correct timing. In other words your job is to match the Oarsman's timing within each stroke. This offers non-elite rowers a major opportunity to learn near-perfect stroke technique.

This is very important both for minimizing the risk of injury from poor stroke technique, and for maximizing competitive performance by optimizing stroke power. You can take advantage of this opportunity in two ways:

You can study the ideal stroke timing closely in slow motion in the Coaching Clinic, and read the coaching tips there to really understand the key points of the stroke. For more information see The Coaching Clinic Help Topic.
You can get 'on-the-job training' by matching your stroke timing to the Oarsman as you row. First the basics, getting the Drive - Recovery timing correct, then the more subtle aspects like timing of elbow, knee and trunk movements. For the fastest learning, you can position a mirror on the other side of your Indoor Rower from RowPro, so you can see yourself on one side and the Oarsman on the other. If your stroke doesn't look much like the Oarsman, we suggest you make an effort to change your stroke to match the Oarsman. It may feel very odd at first, but it's absolutely worth persevering, and remember you can keep improving your stroke for weeks, months or even years with RowPro showing you excellent technique at every stroke.