HomeDoctor Rowing

Doctor Rowing

For a Faster Boat, Go Naked

Pearls of wisdom about the care and maintenance of your chariot, though it's really all about the horses.

Thoughts on the Micro-Pause from Josy Verdonkschot

USRowing Chief High Performance Officer Josy Verdonkschot joins Doctor Rowing's ongoing debate about the merits of the micro-pause.

Keep exploring

Doctor Rowing: What Price Glory?

The auctioning of an historic rowing gold medal prompts a reflection on what matters—the token or the memory?

The Greatest Rowing Stories Ever Told

In Göran Buckhorn’s comprehensive gathering of rowing tales, the fiction is fun, but it’s the nonfiction that stands out—as well as numerous contributions by rowing historians and several biographical pieces.

Home of the Boys in the Boat

The University of Washington’s old Shell House is an historic landmark that reminds us of the great things that can be done by working together.

A Model Worth Emulating

Eric Cohen proves there’s more to rowing history than the magnificent University of Washington crew of 1936.

Charlie’s Big Crab

Our stroke—the guy you wanted in the boat, so smooth and steady—was suddenly sucked over to port, his hair in the water. What the devil happened?

Gone But Not Forgotten

The Head of the Connecticut was a great tune-up for school, college, and alumni crews seeking a final hard row before fall’s biggest event.

Switching Sides

Without a lot of fanfare here in the U.S., FISA made a small but...

“Dare to Be,” A Review

The good doctor plays movie critic.

Core Curriculum

Dear Doctor Rowing, I’ve been out of the game for a number of years but have recently begun to row a single. I’ve checked out a number of websites and watched a bunch of coaches on YouTube. Years ago, I learned the legs-back-arms method of applying power and it’s always worked for me. But lately down at the club all I hear is talk of “the core.” What’s with all this emphasis on the core?

Never Forget

Theo Koerner and the aftermath of German Democratic Republic.

The Perils of Perfection

What predisposes some athletes —to developing an eating disorder? In a survey of women...

Latest articles

Newer Is Not Necessarily Better

While innovations in equipment can make a boat go faster, often the best way to increase speed is to improve training and use your existing equipment correctly.

The Five Biggest Myths In Rowing

  Myth No. 1: "It’s such an expensive sport." It's not. Sure, you can spend $100,000 buying...

Oxford Women, Cambridge Men Win The Boat Race

In what were largely expected outcomes, the dark blue women reversed a nine-year losing streak, while the light blue men kept their cool and made it ‘four in a row’ as the Oxford women and Cambridge men won The Boat Race in front of a quarter-million spectators.

Cambridge Men, Oxford Women Favorites For The Boat Race

Cambridge won both Boat Races in 2025 for the third year in a row. This year, Oxford aims to turn the tide on the Light Blues.