Rowers Comments

Mylène Paquette
Woodville Atlantic Rowing Race 2009

"I really like training on the Water Rower; this is, by far, the closest thing to rowing on the water.
It s smoothness is very beneficial and relaxing, and this is a good way to calm during the preparation for a transatlantic challenge.

I particularly value the psychological effects of the sound of the water. This is as useful for helping to visualise the challenge at it is for the physical preparation itself.

Additionally, this training doesn’t provoke any tension and stress on articulations and lower back which is not the case on other rowing machines.

I was also pleased to notice that it allows me to keep an adequate posture for periods of time than with other rowing machines.

I hope that I will enjoy rowing on an ocean rowing boat as much as I enjoy rowing on Water Rower!!!"

http://www.rameatlantique.com/
 

Anne Miltenberger and Ashlee Lytle
Woodville Atlantic Rowing Race 2009

“With our my water rower training for my Atlantic crossing would have been impossible! Being in land locked Colorado our water rowers provided us with the most realistic training possible without actually being on the water. The fluid movements are very natural and were easy on our back and joints. Also its portability allowed me to train in-doors and out, plus the natural wood looks great!”

http://www.rowingfortheenvironment.com/

Madie Steer and Christine Bunting
Woodvale Challenge 2009, Team Ocean Row Girls

"We are both thrilled with the rowers. Having only ever used concept rowers for training for the Cornish pilot gig rowing we do I cannot believe the difference. I can't row for that long on a concept as my shoulders and hamstrings cramp up, but the first go I had on the water rower I rowed for a hour non stop and wasn't stiff at all the next day.

It is such a smooth action, no jerking when you "catch" at the beginning of a stoke so your shoulders aren't put under as much pressure. I also find it a lot easier to maintain a harder rowing rate due to the smooth action. The rowing position is very comfortable, and I find it doesn't put as much strain on my lower back and I find it much easier to maintain a good posture even when I'm getting tired. The seat is comfortable for longer periods of rowing.

It is perfect for the amount of training we are doing. I have it sent up in my living room so that I can watch TV whilst doing a long row as it is quiet enough to be able to hear the TV over the sound of the water.

Christine feels the same. She is building our boat while I get the sponsorship so she is going to use the dimensions of the rowing position from the water rower to craft our rowing system for our 3500 mile row."

http://www.oceanrowgirls.com/


 

Sarah Outen

"The water rower makes ergging fun - much smoother than any other standard machine. I love the sound of the water sloshing around too - it's very therapeutic. I am very pleased to be supported by WaterRower UK in the build up to my Indian Ocean Row next year"

 

Xeno Muller

"It finally arrived. I got my WaterRower and love it. As soon as you start rowing there is a nice sound of water swishing around during the acceleration of the rowing stroke."

Read the rest of Xeno Muller's comments here.

Katie Spotz

"WaterRower became one of my first sponsors for my upcoming solo trans-Atlantic row. With their support I am able to train consistently and conveniently from home. Since the machine is easy to transport, I am able to place it outside on my deck or in front of the TV to watch movies. I am truly grateful for the ongoing support from WaterRower."

Katie is set to row across the Atlantic next year for Row4Water.

Rachel Smith

"Having the WaterRower at home was ideal and meant that even if I only had 20 minutes to spare, I could still train. It made it easier to get in some rowing in the early mornings before work, but also meant that I could do much longer sessions (which wouldn't be possible in a public gym) when time permitted. It stood upright out of the way in my lounge (which kept my partner happy!) and was easy to move around to use. I used to put it in front of the TV for some entertainment, or watched DVD's on my laptop. We also had WaterRower seats on our Ocean rowing boat, so training on the same seat was fantastic."

To read Rachel's full comments click here.

Sam Williams

Catherine Allaway

Niall McCann and James Burge

"The comfort factor was also absolutely vital when rowing the Atlantic. We realised that if we were to spend 9 weeks sitting down, we needed to be as comfortable as possible. Unfortunately the salt water causes such atrocious damage to your behind that real comfort is a distant memory; but for 63 days, rowing 1 hour on and 1 hour off – with 2 weeks at the end of 2 hour shifts during the day – I never suffered from the pressure-related pains that are the bane of most Ocean rowers. The hardest part of the row, for me, was in tolerating continuous discomfort, which at times was excruciating. Minimising pain was a huge factor in maintaining a positive mentality and I was absolutely delighted at our seats, which were WaterRower seats bolted on to runners with a single memory foam cushion on top. Most other teams had highly elaborate, heavy and essentially ineffective seats and most other rowers suffered terribly from sciatica and pressure-related muscle pains."

To read Niall and James' full comments click here.

Roz Savage- English Adventurer who finished the Atlantic Rowing Race as a solo-female.

'Before the race I worked hard to build up my powers of endurance, training for up to 16 hours a day on my WaterRower machine. Rowing for 16 hours is never fun, but the WaterRower made it much more tolerable - it felt relatively gentle on my back and the rowing stroke felt realistic, right down to the sound of the water swirling in the drum. And the seat was so comfortable that I took two with me to use on my boat.'

Martin Cross- Olympic Gold Medallist, Rowing Commentator and Author

"The Holy Grail for all ergo makers is to find a product that somehow captures the feel of rowing in a boat: a smooth ‘catch’; a resistance that loads their body just like it does in a boat and a recovery phase that simulates the glide a rower experiences as the boat moves under them. In over twenty five years of rowing, I’ve tried all that the market has to offer and there’s only one that comes close to capturing the essence of the sport: Water Rower.

Explaining just how good it feels, is a challenge to anyone who’s never been out in a boat but here goes. I’m on the Water Rower, paddling hard enough to work up a sweat. The pick up feels right, I know it won’t stress my lower back, like other ergos seem to, so I let my kids use it when they want. What’s more, I feel good on something made of wood; like I’m in the wooden boat I never owned. As I close my eyes and listen to the gentle swoosh of the water, my mind puts me in a shell, gliding over the calm surface of a beautiful lake. I smile and open my eyes. By the end of my work out I know that this machine is the nearest thing to rowing. My whole family, is happy for it to be part of the furniture in my home."

I am able to set the athletes either interval training or long distance  work on the Water Rower.

Others

Mr. P M- Cambridgeshire, UK
“Brilliant, a lot more positive on the catch than the Concept II and is more sensitive to technique. Cheers!!”

Mr. R K- Bethesda, Maryland, USA
"I LOVE IT!  I no longer dread getting up the days I'm scheduled to erg.  It's a whole new experience."

Mr. M A M- Billericay, UK
‘’Excellent! Far more friendly than a Concept Model C.’’

Mr. D E- Chessington, UK
“Truly natural rowing action. The next best thing to being on the water”

Mr. A A- London, UK
“Congratulations on simply the best rowing machine ever. All I need to do is close my eyes and I am back in my eight!”

Mr. D C, Cheltenham, UK
“The Best Rower in the World!”

Mr. D B- Michigan, USA
“Better feel than Concept II.”

Mr. R. Bergman, Nevada City, CA- The WaterRower is surprisingly different than the Concept II.  It actually is much, much smoother, with a genuinely fluid feel.  There is no sense of harsh, mechanical workings like the Concept II."

Ms. J H- Hertfordshire, UK
“Superb ergometer! c.f. Concept II model. A great alternative to rowing / sculling in adverse weather.”