# Paul Smith's Stroke Cycle

The images below are of Paul Smith, a coach from the Seattle Area in the USA. He is using a concept2 ergometer on slides
To see the full sequence, scroll right (a lot!!).
The 63 images are taken from a video Paul sent me, and show a complete stroke from finish to finish.
Drag factor is 105. And the pace is 1:43
Video was 29.97fps. thus the The Stroke rate was 28.5
43 frames are "recovery" (the top row). 20 are "drive" (the bottom row).
Please note the X-axis is not time. Rather I have stretched the timescale for the drive, so as to compare the relative positions. The %ages are of recovery or drive time, respectively.

#### Two points for discussion

#### 1. Symmetry.

Paul strives to make his drive a mirror image of his recovery.
I would conclude from this that he achieves that objective. Apart from a degree of "stretch" in the hands and shoulders, there is a striking similarity in the positions achieved.

#### 2. Momentum control.

One thing that is striking, however, is how late Paul leaves his "body swing" I note that 60% of the recovery time has elapsed before he bends at the hips. Paul does this intentionally.
His reasoning is that he wishes to transfer his (considerable) momentum to the hull as late as possible, so as to dampen hull velocity, rather than an "early swing" which increases hull velocity at a time when it is already high.
Please note - this is for illustration only, and differs from the technique stressed by our club coaches and by the "British technique". Here the approach is setting the body fully by half slide, and using the time on the slide as an opportunity to prepare the blades for the catch.
You may also wish to look at a similar page I made of World Champion Lightweight Sculler Fiona Milne . I would welcome any feedback.
Neil.

0% | 10% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100%
100% | 90% | 80% | 70% | 60% | 50% | 40% | 30% | 20% | 10% | 0%

Neil Wallace 21st July 2004.