Comparing in-phase to antiphase crew rowing: a first step from the lab to the water

Rowing crews synchronise strokes to achieve optimal performance. Antiphase crew coordination (i.e., alternating strokes) may reduce velocity fluctuations of the boat, which would theoretically imply reduced hydrodynamic drag and, hence, potentially faster race times. We experimentally compared in-phase to antiphase rowing on water in terms of crew coordination and effects on boat kinematics and race time. We tested whether rowers are able to row in an antiphase pattern on the water. Next, we aimed to verify whether antiphase rowing on water indeed decreased surge velocity fluctuations and whether this would imply a higher boat speed and faster race times. Nine pairs of experienced rowers rowed four 1,000 m trials in in-phase and antiphase at 20 and 30 strokes per minute. Despite this being their first attempt, most crews performed the unconventional antiphase pattern stably. Antiphase rowing indeed reduced boat velocity fluctuations, especially at higher pace, but did not yield faster race times in these first attempts. The current results provide a promising first step in testing the possibilities of antiphase crew rowing on water and its effects on boat movements and velocity. Whether antiphase rowing may result in faster racing times given the potency to improve antiphase rowing through practice and optimisation of the design and rigging of the boat, will require further research.