row2k Features
Row Like an Olympian
November 30, 2016
Charlotte Hollings

Gevvie Stone at the catch

One of the factors that makes the Head of the Charles such a unique sporting event is that it attracts athletes from all walks of life - Olympic and para-Olympic rowers, high school and prep school, student funded collegiate programs and Division I scholarship schools, young and old, sweep and scull, men and women, heavy and lightweight.

Despite this diversity, the winners look more alike than different. And yet, we often hear that masters/youth/club/what have you athletes can't row like the Olympians because they're not as fit or as strong.

I contend the opposite, that the Olympians have figured the most efficient way to row so we want to row as much like them as possible. From row2k's gallery, I've compiled photos of winners from the many varying singles races. Starting out with some of the many Olympians who raced at the Charles. You can compare their style to all the other non-Olympic rowers who nevertheless are Head of the Charles winners.

Gevvie Stone at the finish
Gevvie Stone at the finish

In the 1st photo showing Gevvie at the catch, notice her low elbows, nice grip with the wrists flat, shins vertical, nose and chin in line with the shins, rounded back. The 2nd photo shows Gevvie at the finish in a good lay back position, her forearms parallel to the water with elbows and wrists at the same height.

James Mcrae and Julien Bahain
James Mcrae and Julien Bahain

Second place Men's Champ Double, James Mcrae and Julien Bahain, both Olympians. Note the loose arms, relaxed shoulders, grip out on the fingers.

Kim Brennan and Emma Twigg
Kim Brennan and Emma Twigg

Emma Twigg and Kim Brennan, Women's Champ Double winner at HOC, Brennan won gold in single in Rio. The finish photo shows the lay back from a different angle, note the elbows out away from the body, shoulders relaxed, finishing strong by connecting to the lats.

Kjetil Borch
Kjetil Borch

Kjetil Borch, won Men's Champ Single, third in the double at 2016 Olympics. In the photo, with the legs down and arms barely begun. Hands nested with left hand slightly to the stern of the right hand so hands are as tight together as possible.

Now here is a look at additional winners, most of whom who are not Olympians:

-Carlo Zezza, winner of Men's Grand Veteran Single by 90"

-Diane Davis, winner Women's Veteran Single by 30"

-Penn AC Champ Men's Double winners, at finish, beating out any number of Olympians including the ones below

-Olaf Tufte and Mahe Drysdale, 3rd in Men's Champ 2x at HOC. Drysdale and Tufte are both two-time Olympic gold medalists in the 1x

-Greg Benning Men's Grand Master Single winner by 25"

-Me, second place Women's Grand Master Single, less than 2 seconds out of first. Trying to row what I'm coaching

-Chuck Cook, second, Men's Senior Veteran Single

-Michael Tebay, Men's Senior Veteran Single winner, started 37th and still won by 26 seconds

-Eveline Peleman, winner Women's Lightweight Single

-Hugh McAdam, winner Lightweight Men's Single by almost 40"

-Eliza Kallfelz, Women's Youth Single winner

-Nicholas Everett, Men's Youth Single winner by 25"

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