6k water test

Question
QUESTION: Hi:

I am the father of two candidates to the Guatemalan National Team and this sunday they have to pull a 6k water test they have bothe done 6k erg tests but never water tests their average time for the erg is (24.17) they are 15 and 16 years old their weights are 71 kilograms and 61 kilograms what I am asking for is a strategy for both of them to do a decent time on the test could you be so kind and provide me with some advice on how to pull it.

ANSWER: Hi Jose: I'm not too familiar with any on-water ergometers.  I've seen a few machines that use water vice air to provide resistance to the flywheel.  I don't think that is what your National Team is going to use.

My best guess is that this might be what you may be testing on:

http://www.revolutionary.ltd.uk/

If that is the case, since it better replicates on-water rowing than a CII erg, I would approach your sons' 6K similar to how they would approach a Head Race, like the Head of the Charles.  Do a start-and-20 @ 37-40 strokes per minute; row long and low (32-35) through the body; and be ready to finish the last 1000 meters with a sprint.  No matter what device they are using, this approach is probably pretty sound.

Good Luck/AP

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Sorry, I believe you misunderstood me, the test is for a single in water.  They have to do a water test rowing a single, they will row 3kms, turn and do the next three!! not on the water rower!!! thanks for your fast reply.

ANSWER: Hello Again, Jose: Yes, this clears things up.  However, there are still a few questions.  Is it a standing start from a stake boat or a start where you are rowing into the start of the piece? Is it a straight course or a twisty course where knowledge of the turns is important.  How is the halfway turn executed? around a stake or anywhere past some imaginary line.  

I'd still approach this from the standpoint of rowing a head race.  Since you are rowing the equivalent of 3 X 2000 meter pieces, an all-out sprint will probably not be effective.  I think your sons should try to row as controlled a race as possible for the first three-quarters of the piece.  I'd still do some sort of racing start, but maybe 2 or 3 srokes lower than what they would do for a 2000.  At this distance, they need to row a technically sound race, which includes a straight course and rowing clean (no blade dragging).  The turn is kind of strange and it will save them a lot of time if they can execute a quick turn backing with one blade while pulling back with the other.  They probably need to do a mini start-and-10 after the turn to get the boat back up to speed.  Once again, the last 1000 has to be treated as a sprint.  Hopefully, your boys will have something left in the tank for that part of the race.

My guess is 20:00 minutes or better will be a good time to shoot for.

Hope this helps/AP

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: We are ok with rowing technically sound and controlled race, they will start from the start of the piece, the course is straight it will be done in a lake (still water) and the turn will be made around a buoy. we need to know about how many rows a minute should they keep it for the first 4,500 meters 3/4 then the next 500 meters and of course the las 1000 should be the sprint.

Answer
I hope this gets to you in time.  Not knowing anything about your sons' rowing styles, I would recommend that whatever they do for a 2K, they reduce the stroke rating by 2 to 3 strokes.

So if they typically start at 40 on an erg piece or a 2K race on the water, they should start at 37-38.  If they settle at 35 in the 2k, settle at 33 for the piece.

AP