My not so secret tips ‘Before’ Coastal Rowing or More!
- Train in an open water boat as often as possible.
- Rowing machine… priority is not speed or distance…its TIME
- Weight training…Ocean rowing, you use your upper body far more
- Cross-training machines… Endurance and general fitness
- Mental Toughness… Brain training and mental strength is the key
I strongly suggest enrolling in formal training RYA Courses – (Royal Yachting Assoc.)
- First Aid at Sea
- VHF Marine radio, GPS and Sat phone
- Essential Seamanship and Navigation; including, celestial navigation and meteorology
- Sea Survival
Useful Practical Skills – best learnt on the Water.
- Use of all marine instruments
- Navigation skills
- Service and repair of equipment; including the water maker
- Personal Hygiene and personal care; sustain basic wellbeing
- Remember food is fuel; your daily requirement – 8,000 calories
- How to survive sea sickness and minor injuries.
- The psychological impact, riding through rough weather and big seas can be enormous, take one stroke at a time!
- Be at ease with life on board rowboat/small vessel, helps to reduce stress.
- Each rower makes a 5-minute SAT call home every week- good therapy.
- There’s no toilet, only a bucket – practice hovering
