Erging for schools, tech issues
Erging for schools, tech issues
Lately I had a couple lessons for non-rowing kids (aprox. 12 years old) introducing them into this sport and would like to go on after the holiday. I have 16 C2s with PM5s and usually 60-90 minutes for the lesson. I would like to make the time as usefull and appealing as possible. We spend aprox. first half of the lesson practicing the stroke technique and intensity principle. The other half should be devoted to more entertaining and intense rowing, usually doing Fish Game and one or two 1 min trials. Also, I would like to get as much data as possible that I could give to teachers to be used in physics, IT and other subjects. It would be great if I was able to control all the monitors from one place, as asking the kids to push the buttons often caused problems. I could wire the ergs, control the monitors from my computer and get the stroke data from ErgRace. However this is not that useful for practising the stroke and also I cannot set the Fish Game this way. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Re: Erging for schools, tech issues
You might take a look at OpenRowingMonitor (see https://github.com/JaapvanEkris/openrowingmonitor). There are quite some elements of physics involved, like power, forces etc., which can be extracted via ORM in csv-format. It can be added as an extra monitor to a C2 (that is what I use to validate its physics).
Some apps, like PainSled, can extract the same data I believe.
Package maintainer of OpenRowingMonitor, the open source Rowing Monitor
Re: Erging for schools, tech issues
NICE JOB ! Super you are doing this, 12 year olds must be a zoo.
Does your school have an OTW program? If so see if you can borrow a pair of COXSWAINs (age 14-16) to lead while having the kids all row together. Think it would be fun. Coxswains could trade off doing race calls. Start with short strokes, lengthen out then sprint. Suggest getting coxswains rather than rowers, but you could do both. Suggest getting two so they can support each other. Coaches here often instruct then have coxswains get the rowers going.
TVs and Monitors are really cheap now. If the ergs are in a school, the school may have large TVs on a cart, or the room might have a display.
You can use the TVs to display real time video from the side showing the kids their rowing technique, really let them see what they look like. You can show videos like these C2 Australia (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ82RYIFLN8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP6OR-G7AxM) WHILE THEY ROW. They might have fun doing bad technique then fixing it.
You could also show video of Olympic rowing while they row. You could dim the lights and use one of the youtube ASMR rowing videos while they row long and slow. You could also use the TV to provide MUSIC, but you'd have to talk over the music to instruct. Music and Erging go well together.
We have some workouts (like climb mount Everest - 8,848.86 meters. You could pick a lower local mountain for less rowing time, the kids are 12 and non-rowers.) that are fun for teams .. set up rower for 250 m intervals 30 seconds rest (or 1 minutes on, 30 seconds rest). Form teams of 2 or 3 rowers who use a single erg. Swap rowers every interval. Keep going until the first 3 teams climb the mountain.
If your ergs have PM5s then you can have the kids watch their force curves, try to make them change shape, etc. See which shape gives the lowest splits.
We have both high school OTW programs and adult learn to row. Do you want to talk to one of the coaches? They have programs that start 7-8 grade which is roughly the age of your kids.
Does your school have an OTW program? If so see if you can borrow a pair of COXSWAINs (age 14-16) to lead while having the kids all row together. Think it would be fun. Coxswains could trade off doing race calls. Start with short strokes, lengthen out then sprint. Suggest getting coxswains rather than rowers, but you could do both. Suggest getting two so they can support each other. Coaches here often instruct then have coxswains get the rowers going.
TVs and Monitors are really cheap now. If the ergs are in a school, the school may have large TVs on a cart, or the room might have a display.
You can use the TVs to display real time video from the side showing the kids their rowing technique, really let them see what they look like. You can show videos like these C2 Australia (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ82RYIFLN8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP6OR-G7AxM) WHILE THEY ROW. They might have fun doing bad technique then fixing it.
You could also show video of Olympic rowing while they row. You could dim the lights and use one of the youtube ASMR rowing videos while they row long and slow. You could also use the TV to provide MUSIC, but you'd have to talk over the music to instruct. Music and Erging go well together.
We have some workouts (like climb mount Everest - 8,848.86 meters. You could pick a lower local mountain for less rowing time, the kids are 12 and non-rowers.) that are fun for teams .. set up rower for 250 m intervals 30 seconds rest (or 1 minutes on, 30 seconds rest). Form teams of 2 or 3 rowers who use a single erg. Swap rowers every interval. Keep going until the first 3 teams climb the mountain.
If your ergs have PM5s then you can have the kids watch their force curves, try to make them change shape, etc. See which shape gives the lowest splits.
We have both high school OTW programs and adult learn to row. Do you want to talk to one of the coaches? They have programs that start 7-8 grade which is roughly the age of your kids.
Re: Erging for schools, tech issues
You might like to hook up with Darkhorse Rowing, if only to avoid contradiction with what they might find on the net.
08-1940, 179cm, 75kg post-op (3 bp January 2025).
Re: Erging for schools, tech issues
Thank you for all responses. As I lack IT competence, I will probably stick with ErgRace app. that gives enough data. To avoid problems and misunderstanding during the process of PM5´s setting, I try to prepare videos showing which buttons to push.
These will be just Indoor Rowing introductory lessons. As for the format, I believe that we will have limited time (as well as space, see picture enclosed), therefore I do not think we will do any longer rows during there.
I follow many Indoor Rowing - related channels (probably too many), my favorites being RowAlong and Dark Horse. I will definitely use some info from them.
These will be just Indoor Rowing introductory lessons. As for the format, I believe that we will have limited time (as well as space, see picture enclosed), therefore I do not think we will do any longer rows during there.
I follow many Indoor Rowing - related channels (probably too many), my favorites being RowAlong and Dark Horse. I will definitely use some info from them.
Re: Erging for schools, tech issues
Sounds like you’ve got a solid plan! Pre-made button-guide videos are a great idea.