How can a beginner row when no boathouse is nearby, there are choices:

You came to the realization that rowing would be a perfect exercise for you, but where and how can you start rowing. There are ways to scout boathouses. The drawback with rowing in a club is that it is very time consuming. Chances are you don't have much free time. The other option is to row at a gym. Sadly, gym machines are usually in poor conditions and positioned in places that are least desirable due to the fact that few members use them because no one understands how to enjoy rowing them.

The solution is to get your own. I row wood with water at home. I enjoy smooth strokes with the gentle sound of water swishing by. Our Xeno Müller Signature Model comes with a 6 months online workout library that includes a 10 Week Beginner Learner Program. You will love rowing. It will calm your worries and make you feel strong.

[caption id="attachment_1068" align="alignleft" width="2803"] Stay stress free with great smooth rowing.[/caption]

You don't have to be tall and built like a gorilla to win at the 2012 London Olympics in the single scull.

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Smart training and sound sculling technique that is how you will fly in your boat. This is how I coach.
In the background you have a super athlete who won the first Olympic heat. He does an excellent job applying his body to maximize boat glide and acceleration.
Good luck to Tim Maeyens, let there be tailwind!

When watching the Olympic ceremony is better done sitting on a cozy couch....

I participated at 3 Olympics, won two medals. Because my races were in the first week of the Olympic games, we did not participate at the opening ceremonies. The coaches told us that we had spent so much time training and staying healthy, that staying up late outside, surrounded by people we don't know, is not the smartest idea. I was in the running to carry the flag in Sydney for Switzerland, but politely declined. Thinking back, it was the most important decision of my Olympic career. I passed the finish line to win silver on a wing and a prayer, because all week long I woke up with a soar throat. Had I gone to the opening ceremonies, I may have come in 4th in the final... no medal. Winning silver in Sydney was the toughest race I have ever had. When you leave everything on the race course, I was as happy to win silver as I was winning gold.
[caption id="attachment_1068" align="alignleft" width="2803"] Stay stress free with a great smooth row.[/caption]

How to Cope with Press-Stress at the Olympics.

I am watching the US women gymnast being interviewed on NBC. The journalist are asking plenty of questions about how hard it must be to get to this point and how much pressure there must be, personal rivalry within the team and so on and so forth.
I am sure the coach would rather that the gymnasts were left alone without being asked questions before their competition that they themselves are trying to keep out of their heads to keep focused.
There is plenty of time AFTER the competition to talk to TV.
Getting ready for Olympic competition is best done when the brain is in full trance mode. Keeping the outsiders out is key.
Months before and during the competition at the Atlanta Olympics, my coach became my press-officer. No one from the press had direct access to me, except shortly after the heat and the semi-final. This was particularly important in my case because I never minced my words when I explained what I felt. This helped me keep my focus.
At the Olympics, there are SO MANY distractions for athletes and coaches, especially for the newbies Olympians. It is easy to lose focus.
[caption id="attachment_1068" align="alignleft" width="2803"] Stay Stress-Free with a great smooth row on the Signature Waterrower
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Nice hang in sculling, good for sweep rowing too, but the keystone to accelerating the single scull is missing.

A lovely demonstration of hanging of the skeleton during the leg drive. It is possible that the pelvis could be rotated slightly further to the stern, but nice hang from the spine and shoulder blades.



The problem is that when the hands are closest to the stern, the blades are not near entering the water. The blades hang in the air and will lead to the stroke being rowed in. It is a true pity, because the sculler has huge potential. It is all about how early the sculls connect with the water. The hands must rise when they move to the stern. The blades need to have fallen into the water by the time the knees get to the full compression. (These two pictures were not taken in the same single scull.)



Above, blades enter the water at full extension.

A similar post to this one can be found here: http://biz123.inmotionhosting.com/~xenoco5/how-to-row-safe-and-fast/difference-in-technique-what-brings-olympic-gold-and-what-does-not/

Top two pictures from www.row2k.com