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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.

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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

Fields Set for IRA, NCAA National Championships

The 2026 Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championship regatta for men's and lightweight women's varsity programs and the 2026 NCAA Rowing Championships for women have set the fields for their May 29-31 events.

Purdue Men, Middlebury Women Win ACRA Eights

Nearly 400 crews raced in the national championship for college club crews in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

Shoving Talent Off the Cliff

Thousands of post-college rowers in their 20s are still physically capable, still competitive, and still interested in racing—if only a compelling structure existed.

Marist University to Host Rowing History Symposium

Thomas E. Weil Jr. Rowing History Symposium & Exhibit Opening, August 15 at Marist University, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.