@mike1: "Hi All,
I'm 63 and started rowing and now sculling last year August.
I'm realy struggling with my balance on a single, I've read what I can
find on balancing ( on this group as well )
A freind has  suggested increasing the size of the skeg , to help
improve immediate balance , and then gradually reducing the size back
to normal.
Any comments from the group
Mike H"
    @paul_v_smith: "<quote>
May work:
<url>
It would be better to simply be "down for the struggle" and practice
to remedy the situation.  I think that a larger skeg (aside from a
very large, as above, and weighted) would only dampen the roll rate a
little, and NOT effect balance all that much (other than the effect of
having a slower roll rate).
There are also accessories called "scullies" that amount to
outriggers, though I have also hear the suggestion of using gallon
milk jugs or two litre soda bottles for the same effect, they will
stay above the water when level and prevent a rapid roll once touching
the water.
- Paul Smith"
    @johnflory: "<quote>
You're not alone.  Every time I've gotten back into a single after
periods away, I think "this is impossible".  You're handcuffed because
you're too insecure to applly power and get the boat moving, and
because it's not moving it wobbles around.
I doubt if a bigger skeg would help that much, and you'd have to go
through all the hassle of fabricating and mounting it.
Some suggestions:
(1) Get into a more stable boat for a while to hone your skills and
experiment with different variations.  Either a rec single or better
yet a 2x.  In stroke seat initially so bow can coach you, later in bow
seat so you can lure a skilled sculler into stroke seat and imitate
them.  In bow you'll have to steer too.
(2) Work on technique: it's much harder to get back into balance than
it is to just stay level, so work on staying level.  One of the keys
to this is getting a clean release, and a key to that is pulling
through firmly to the release.  The key to that is not hesitating at
the release so there is no urge to ease your drive there and get one
or both blades slightly caught, which will tip you.  Think of coming
in to the release and going right back out briskly but not rushing.
Once you have done that, it's easy to then just trolley up to the
catch and get a good confident level catch and repeat.
(3) Land exercises for strength and flexibility in your torso - some
combination of weights, ab exercises, yoga.  This will help you to
correct quickly and accurately for wavelets, puffs of wind, and your
own bobbles.
(4) Find a good coach:  very handy in all respects.
(5) Accept that learning to scull well takes time and repetition.
(6) Repeat over and over (audibly if necessary) the mantra "many
people have done this".
Good luck!"
    @mike1: "Thanks Guys,
We Don't have that many coaches at our club, and I'd also lke to give
the coach something to coach. I have arranged with one to help watch
me from mid Sept
Had a chat to a very accomplished rower/sculler and she said that I
should try and find out why the scull is unbalanced , and suggested
Checkpoint rowing,, first working on the finish and extraction Arms
only .and then to mid recovery  etc. .
Basically she said that I was probably unbalancing the scull by
letting the oars be  , one deeper  or more power or cathing earlier or
finishing later. She suggested to try and work on a smooth balanced
action,, this does make sense.
Still if a larger skeg would help I could easily rig a large skeg to
slip over the existing .
Mike
<quote>"
    @ejcove: "<email_address> wrote in message 
news:<email_address>
<quote>
Forget the skeg and absolutely forget about flotation gadgets attached to 
your riggers.
First make sure your pitch angles are equal and correct.
 If the pitches are equal and around 4 degrees keep going out and 
practising.
 Never drag both blades on the water to balance or you will never learn..
.Always try and get them both off the water but do not worry unduly if one 
tammyphillips@example.net.
 Keep trying to get them both off and before long you will find it works for 
one or two tammyphillips@example.net.
Keep at it and with patience it will come right for you.
That is the only way to go IMO. "
    @kdavies: "<quote>
In addition to all the other useful tips, using heavy sculls can help
stabilise the boat during the recovery. As mentioned by Edgar though,
you need to check your pitch to ensure a stable drive.
Kit"
    @johnflory: "<quote>
Don't hesitate to phone one somewhere else and go there.  Most coaches
are willing to help, especially if you pay for their time.  If they
say no, all it has cost you is a phone call.
I hear this a lot.  Most coaches prefer if you haven't ingrained bad
habits that they have to try to reverse!"
    @paul_v_smith: "<quote>
The most comical of which I have heard, must have gone something like
this:  Well, the oarlock goes on the other side of the pin, and you
travel in the direction opposite of that which you are facing.  [;o)
And seriously, sooner is better than later, for the concise reason
offered by J Flory.
- Paul Smith"
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