Rowing Rudern: The GDR Text of Oarsmanship

Rudern was the former East Germany's bible of rowing. East Germany dominated international rowing at virtually every level of competition from 1966-1990. Subjects discussed include rowing and sculling techniques, rigging, training and preparation for competition, development of beginners, tactics, and equipment.

1. BASICS, GOALS, AND TASKS

Under "rowing" we include sports activity in racing boats and gigs propelled by sculls or oars. Competitive rowing has been recognized as an Olympic discipline for men since 1896 and for women since 1976.

Rowing in the heavier, but steadier gigs is reserved principally for training, trek rowing (recreational rowing combined with touring and camping), and competitive sport at only a local level. Basically, anyone of good health and able to swim can learn rowing.

The principal objectives of the sport of rowing in the former German Democratic Republic (GDR):

1. The achievement of high performances in competitive rowing for men, women, and youths base on a wide membership, on a comprehensive and systematic basic training, and on a party and class-conscious education of the oarsman into a socialist sports personality.

2. The expansion of rowing as a popular sport to maintain the health of and provide relaxation for workers and youths, principally through trek rowing.

3. The scientific examination of all important practical and theoretical aspects of rowing.

These objectives present a wide variety of tasks. In many ways they are interrelated. The intention of this book is to apply theoretical knowledge to the execution of these tasks and to give instruction on the development of skills and capabilities. Socialist teaching is an integral component of all these tasks (model not shown).

Rowing as a sport is important for the following reasons:

1. Rowing has a top-class rating for an overall development of the body, since its sequence of movements demands the use of the chief muscle groups of the entire body and since the development of strength, endurance, and agility are promoted approximately equally.

2. Rowing can be practiced by both sexes, from childhood right into advanced age.

3. The wide variety of different boat classes, from the eight to the single, allows every athlete a choice to suit his or her physical and mental characteristics.

4. Living together in the boathouse or on treks and collective activity in training and competition open up a wealth of educational opportunities, which help form model citizens.

5. Trek rowing is emotionally highly stimulating, contributes substantially to health, and is an intelligent use of leisure time.

6. Besides physical exertion, the constant coming-to-grips with apparatus and with water and wind conditions demands high powers of insight, readiness, reaction, and intellectual qualities from the oarsman.

Sports rowing includes the techniques of sculling and rowing with the oar. In this connection we shall examine for the different boat classes the predominant factors of propulsion which form the most appropriate technique for achieving high performances and which determine the particular kind of instruction required. This sport, involving as it does equipment and the impact of the environment (water and wind conditions), demands a knowledge of many branches of natural science. With the idea of competition to the fore, the generally accepted theories and methods of preparation are adopted for training and competitive performance, and specific aspects of the sport are examined with a view towards improving performance. The sport of rowing is especially valuable for the extent to which it integrates educational, body-building, and emotional components.

Principles of Rowing Terminology:

At the outset, we would like to point out a particular concern of this book. Wherever the technical terms we use are universally understood to all oarsmen, we simplify the scientific meaning through the use of uniform terminology. The seating arrangement (back to direction of travel), the opposing direction of movement, and the differing lines of vision (oarsman - cox) need to be kept in mind for an understanding of the following chapter.