The appropriate seating in a rowing boat is somewhat of a mystery science in itself. Factors to take into account include (not an exclusive list) each rowers weight, length, technique, fitness level/power contribution as well as the combination thereof, i.e. how to best put together a harmonic "orchestra" of power.
People often have their favourite seats. Lars likes to stroke and I (Jan) like to sit in the "engine room", i.e. in the middle. When compromises needs to be made it can become sensitive, typically around who gets to stroke. ("Sensitive" is perhaps not the right word when you talk about 75 - 101 kg grown up men, but you get the point.)
It is very unusual to have competition for seat number 1, i.e. the person who has overview over the entire crew (who no one "checks"), but also bears the responsibility to look over the shoulder on a regular basis so that the boat does not row into a pier, still standing boat etc.
This unusual situation is now developing in the famous Friday four, also known as "Sprüngliexpressen", which interestingly enough does not turn at Sprüngli. (Logical naming is not something the club is known for, but let's go through that another time.)
Long story short, we have our own stroke in the boat looking over the shoulder (which he shouldn't) on a regular basis. Let's call him Mr T (because his name is Torbjörn).
That (looking over the shoulder from the stroke position) is a bit odd, considering you are sitting on the - usually - most attractive place in the boat.
I cannot conclude otherwise than that Mr T really wants to sit at place number 1.
Normally our Norwegian colleague has the number 1 spot and I normally need to take that spot, which I do not like, since it is not in the engine room of the boat. Last time Lars sat on spot number 1, did a great job and seemed to enjoy it.
Personally I am happy that these three will now fight for place number 1 and I can relax during the night before, knowing I will not risk sitting there anymore.
You'll find me in the engine room. Happy.
/Jan
People often have their favourite seats. Lars likes to stroke and I (Jan) like to sit in the "engine room", i.e. in the middle. When compromises needs to be made it can become sensitive, typically around who gets to stroke. ("Sensitive" is perhaps not the right word when you talk about 75 - 101 kg grown up men, but you get the point.)
It is very unusual to have competition for seat number 1, i.e. the person who has overview over the entire crew (who no one "checks"), but also bears the responsibility to look over the shoulder on a regular basis so that the boat does not row into a pier, still standing boat etc.
This unusual situation is now developing in the famous Friday four, also known as "Sprüngliexpressen", which interestingly enough does not turn at Sprüngli. (Logical naming is not something the club is known for, but let's go through that another time.)
Long story short, we have our own stroke in the boat looking over the shoulder (which he shouldn't) on a regular basis. Let's call him Mr T (because his name is Torbjörn).
That (looking over the shoulder from the stroke position) is a bit odd, considering you are sitting on the - usually - most attractive place in the boat.
I cannot conclude otherwise than that Mr T really wants to sit at place number 1.
Mr T. The original. Not our numbero uno. (Please note how (also) he keeps his shoulders free to allow for a good rowing technique - should he decide to go rowing...)
Normally our Norwegian colleague has the number 1 spot and I normally need to take that spot, which I do not like, since it is not in the engine room of the boat. Last time Lars sat on spot number 1, did a great job and seemed to enjoy it.
Personally I am happy that these three will now fight for place number 1 and I can relax during the night before, knowing I will not risk sitting there anymore.
You'll find me in the engine room. Happy.
/Jan
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