I found this sketch from my old notebook from 6 years ago,
In the early stages of learning to single the sculler is liable to grip the handles too tightly with a clumsy feather and square of the blades with excessive use of the wrists (sometimes unkindly described by coaches as “revving the motorbike”).
Learning to hold the handles’lightly’ is key. Initially the hands are positioned on the handles with the wrists flat, when the blades are square in the water. The thumb is at the end of the handle, excerting lateral pressure, the innermost finger is at the edge of the handle.
It is then a case of, day by day, learning the more subtle use of the hands, particularly feathering and then squaring using, “… a little bit of thumb, a little bit of fingers, and a little bit of wrist.” (in the words of Charlotte Hollings of Calmwaters Rowing.) For a great video demonstrating and describing the use of the hands Go to Links and the reference to Charlotte’s website. In their Rowing Videos view, “Recovery to Catch: How to Position your Hands and Hold your Oar“
It’s less than 5 minutes, and Charlotte gives a very clear description of feathering, she also describes why, and how, to scull with left hand leading (rather than left hand over). If you’re still perfecting the use of the hands I’d watch this a few times, and try it out in your scull in between.
