Thomas Carter recently did remote coaching with Raf Wyatt. He chose the email option, allowing for 3 volleys of emails and one five minute rowing video. Expert coach, Raf, reviews the video and gives you coaching advice about your technique, you can make comments, ask questions, and engage in a conversation with her.
Read what Thomas has to say about the experience:
“One of the biggest challenges that faces any single sculler from Novice all the way up to Elite is getting access to good quality coaching. Currently I am lucky to be based in the Thames Valley where there are a large number of experienced coaches to help out, but in my previous clubs where I was more or less alone to train and coach myself I would have loved to have access to a service where I could get input from an experienced coach, hence why when Rebecca asked me if I would like to test their new service to do exactly that I jumped at the chance.
The service itself is simple enough, I decided I would prefer to send one or two videos and have comments on that, and since I had recently bought myself a rowperfect, I chose to video myself on that. To be honest if I had had a willing volunteer I would have liked to have also taken a video of myself sculling as well although maybe I can organise that for a future session. The video was quite easy to set up ( I balanced the camera on a chair to the side of the rowperfect) and you could even use your mobile phone if you do not own a video camera.
As a whole I found the service to be useful and very insightful. Some of the hints and tips that were given have made me think more about what I am doing during the stroke, especially the idea of getting the elbows past the knees (or at least visualising it) in order to make sure I rock over more from the back end, and also trying to shift the load of the catch away from my shoulders and further down to my legs, all useful points for helping me feel more relaxed and flow more through each stroke.
£30 a session is a real bargain in my opinion, especially when you look at the cost of a new set of sculls or a new boat and you consider which really will help you go faster in the long run…..”
Read snippets from Tom’s remote rowing service with Raf.
