Over the years, various ideas have surfaced to try to increase boat speed or improve times. One such idea was “Syncopated Rowing”, also known as “Jazz Rowing”.
The idea revolves around avoiding the loss of run and boat speed by always having some of the crew in the drive phase. In an eight, for example, the stern pair would row, 5 and 6 would join in before 7 and 8 finish their drive, then 3 and 4 would join in when 5 and 6 almost finish their drive, etc.
This video shows a London Rowing Club eight trying this method out in 1929 (from Youtube)
Whilst the idea may pose some theoretical advantages, attempts to put the theory into practice have proved difficult and it seems the resultant crew performance was disappointing.
The idea has surfaced several times, apparently as early as the 1880s and as recently as the 1980s.
Have you ever been hit in the back by an out-of-time rower? Boats would have to be modified to provide greater distance between rowers to avoid such problems in a syncopated crew.
This photo, from 1881, shows a coxless four, with the crew divided into two pairs in separate cockpits, specifically for syncopated rowing. A couple of other “innovations” in this photo are a “wind sail” on the bow section, designed to minimise the effect of cross winds (wouldn’t this only work if you are heading exactly into the wind?) and asymmetrical oar blades (as per modern “cleaver” blades). (RowingHistory.net)
Considering the awkward feeling when someone in a crew is out of time, I doubt that this technique will take off any time soon.
Further reading:
A much longer version of the video – definitely worth a look
Rowing in Motion – Drag Efficiency in Rowing
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