Seat Racing Procedures

[Christian Lindig]

Ignoring the controversy whether seat racing should be used at all, what seat racing procedures are used in competitive programs? I've seen at least two approaches: swapping only a single rower after each race, or swapping multiple according to a plan. I would be also interested to learn how many races are used in the procedure.

I have found two detailed descriptions:

* Mike Purcer's https://purcerverance.ca/files (at the bottom)
* FISA Coach Development Course - http://www.worldrowing.com/uploads/files/3Chapter9.pdf

-- Christian

[Chris_86]

Always used to go off;

R1 - A, B, C, D vs 1, 2, 3, 4
R2 - A, 2, C, D vs 1, B, 3, 4
R3 - A, 2, 3, D vs 1, B, C, 4
R4 - A, 2, 3, 4 vs 1, B, C, D

R1 vs R2 - B vs 2
R2 vs R3 - C vs 3,
R3 vs R4 - D vs 4,
R1 vs R4 - A vs 1

Then typically a reset, swap a strokesider and bowsider within a boat, and repeat - then you get 4 more results, and by inference another set of results (A beats 1 by 3 seconds, 1 beats 3 by 2 seconds therefore A beats 3 by 5 seconds).

*BUT* I would emphasise 'used to' - get each crew to instead just do 4 straight pieces... what is the time difference between the pieces with the *same* lineups. Would you have expected to of declared a seat race won/lost on such margins - i.e. Boat A beats Boat B by 2 seconds in race 1, then by 5 seconds in race 2 (perhaps by 3 seconds in race 3!!). With no 'swappage' you've got a result that might have won/lost someone a seat in a boat... you then need to decide (and i think the athletes too) what you think an acceptable margin is. What i think you ultimately end up with, is a margin of victory so large, that *everyone* who wins/loses a seat race, already knows the result before the race has begun! my 2p anyway...

Post by Christian Lindig
Ignoring the controversy whether seat racing should be used at all, what seat racing procedures are used in competitive programs? I've seen at least two approaches: swapping only a single rower after each race, or swapping multiple according to a plan. I would be also interested to learn how many races are used in the procedure.
* Mike Purcer's https://purcerverance.ca/files (at the bottom)
* FISA Coach Development Course - http://www.worldrowing.com/uploads/files/3Chapter9.pdf
-- Christian

[Christian Lindig]

Post by Chris_86
Always used to go off;
R1 - A, B, C, D vs 1, 2, 3, 4
R2 - A, 2, C, D vs 1, B, 3, 4
R3 - A, 2, 3, D vs 1, B, C, 4
R4 - A, 2, 3, 4 vs 1, B, C, D

Post by Christian Lindig
* Mike Purcer's https://purcerverance.ca/files (at the bottom)
* FISA Coach Development Course - http://www.worldrowing.com/uploads/files/3Chapter9.pdf

Thanks. This is an example for the second method where you swap one rower between races. The Purcer method swaps two rowers per race and requires 6 races in total. It works by totaling the race time for each rower and using that to rank bow and stroke side rowers independently.

— C

[g***@rjpacker.org.uk]

Post by Christian Lindig

Post by Chris_86
Always used to go off;
R1 - A, B, C, D vs 1, 2, 3, 4
R2 - A, 2, C, D vs 1, B, 3, 4
R3 - A, 2, 3, D vs 1, B, C, 4
R4 - A, 2, 3, 4 vs 1, B, C, D

Post by Christian Lindig
* Mike Purcer's https://purcerverance.ca/files (at the bottom)
* FISA Coach Development Course - http://www.worldrowing.com/uploads/files/3Chapter9.pdf

Thanks. This is an example for the second method where you swap one rower between races. The Purcer method swaps two rowers per race and requires 6 races in total. It works by totaling the race time for each rower and using that to rank bow and stroke side rowers independently.
— C

Whatever method you use, make sure you keep the results safe. Many years ago we spent an exhausting morning seat-racing (always a joy) and as he was getting out of his launch and the end of the session, our coach managed to kick his clipboard with all the results into the lake. To say the eight of us were not best pleased would be the understatement of the century. We came back and had to do it ALL AGAIN the following day... still hurts to remember it 30+ years later.

[James HS]

Post by g***@rjpacker.org.uk

Post by Christian Lindig

Post by Chris_86
Always used to go off;
R1 - A, B, C, D vs 1, 2, 3, 4
R2 - A, 2, C, D vs 1, B, 3, 4
R3 - A, 2, 3, D vs 1, B, C, 4
R4 - A, 2, 3, 4 vs 1, B, C, D

Post by Christian Lindig
* Mike Purcer's https://purcerverance.ca/files (at the bottom)
* FISA Coach Development Course - http://www.worldrowing.com/uploads/files/3Chapter9.pdf

Thanks. This is an example for the second method where you swap one rower between races. The Purcer method swaps two rowers per race and requires 6 races in total. It works by totaling the race time for each rower and using that to rank bow and stroke side rowers independently.
— C

Whatever method you use, make sure you keep the results safe. Many years ago we spent an exhausting morning seat-racing (always a joy) and as he was getting out of his launch and the end of the session, our coach managed to kick his clipboard with all the results into the lake. To say the eight of us were not best pleased would be the understatement of the century. We came back and had to do it ALL AGAIN the following day... still hurts to remember it 30+ years later.

deliberate?

[carl]

Post by James HS

Post by g***@rjpacker.org.uk

Post by Christian Lindig

Post by Chris_86
Always used to go off;
R1 - A, B, C, D vs 1, 2, 3, 4
R2 - A, 2, C, D vs 1, B, 3, 4
R3 - A, 2, 3, D vs 1, B, C, 4
R4 - A, 2, 3, 4 vs 1, B, C, D

Post by Christian Lindig
* Mike Purcer's https://purcerverance.ca/files (at the bottom)
* FISA Coach Development Course - http://www.worldrowing.com/uploads/files/3Chapter9.pdf

Thanks. This is an example for the second method where you swap one rower between races. The Purcer method swaps two rowers per race and requires 6 races in total. It works by totaling the race time for each rower and using that to rank bow and stroke side rowers independently.
— C

Whatever method you use, make sure you keep the results safe. Many years ago we spent an exhausting morning seat-racing (always a joy) and as he was getting out of his launch and the end of the session, our coach managed to kick his clipboard with all the results into the lake. To say the eight of us were not best pleased would be the understatement of the century. We came back and had to do it ALL AGAIN the following day... still hurts to remember it 30+ years later.

deliberate?

As a friend once said, the great thing about having a grudge is that you
can take it out, fondle it and then tuck it safely away for later

Cheers -
Carl
--
Carl Douglas Racing Shells -
Fine Small-Boats/AeRoWing Low-drag Riggers/Advanced Accessories
Write: Harris Boatyard, Laleham Reach, Chertsey KT16 8RP, UK
Find: tinyurl.com/2tqujf
Email: ***@carldouglasrowing.com Tel: [phone] Fax: -563682
URLs: carldouglasrowing.com & now on Facebook @ CarlDouglasRacingShells

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[Rebecca Caroe]

Duncan Holland wrote a detailed explanation in an ebook on the Rowperfect UK site shop.