The Art of Sculling

When I first took sculling lessons a year ago, this book and Essential Sculling were recommended by the instructor. I ordered both, and though I read both, I didn't really appreciate the wisdom contained in The Art of Sculling until I fell out of the shell a couple of weeks ago.I had done a capsize recovery drill in the beginner shell, but not in the sleeker boat to which I'd graduated. Fifteen minutes of flinging myself at the edge of the shell sent me back to the book, and a 2 week hiatus while my sore side recovered gave me much-needed time to reflect. I realized that, like trying harder and harder to recover but with improper technique, I was trying to improve my sculling by working harder, not smarter. I realized that if I really wanted to improve, I would need to learn everything I could about exactly how to scull properly.I had a new appreciation for so many of the points in this book, like "Good sculling is made up of two very basic ideas; using your energy efficiently and allowing the boat to work for you." Nowhere does he say to just strap yourself in and pull like mad. And he's right! The scullers who invoke envy are pulling smoothly and gracefully and efficiently.The real value of this book is its' exactness. Everything he says is correct and detailed, and though the importance of a seemingly basic sentence like the one above may not sink it at first, with repeated attempts at learning to scull one does eventually relate, and 'get it'.The Art of Sculling covers buying and rigging a boat, but the real gold is in the Advanced Technique chapter. Paduda tells you not only what you should be doing, but the how and the why, and exactly how you should feel when you are doing it. He explains how memory works, and modeling and visualization in exacting detail. These are not things that most of us can absorb with one reading. I am finding it helpful to row, then read, then row, then read, and I suspect I will for a long time.If you are serious about sculling properly, this book is a huge help. - I would say indispensable. I also found that learning to erg properly let me get muscle memory for body movement that transferred to the boat, allowing me to concentrate on bladework, boat movement, etc. when I am in the boat. In that regard a Concept 2 erg, and their DVD on the subject, were extremely helpful. I also used the erg to build up the strength and stamina to row on the water with proper technique, to the extent that I am able, for an hour or so.Good luck, happy rowing, and may you always have flat water.

While there were some very helpful tips in this book, I found that much of it was dated or not very useful. There have been a lot of advancements in shell, rigger, scull and erg machine design over the last 25 years, not to mention some newer ideas about nutrition, fitness and conditioning. I found myself wishing that this book was updated. Also, I really wanted more information on things that I struggle more with, such as turning and backing; these are barely touched on here.

I am a Masters rower (>27) taking on the crazy challenge of learning to scull and believe that Joe has covered the subjects well that we need to address as beginners, no matter what the age. So I would say to any prospective male or female in the junior ranks that they would learn a lot from his wisdom also.

The first 50 or so pages of this book are barely useful and you can read them in 15 minutes or so. The remainder offers advice like "Dress warmly but in layers . . ." (page 96). It's also dated,--recommending a high carb, modest protein diet (page 74) when most modern programs recommend more protein. In all, it's just not very good.

This is probably the best book I have read to date on sculling. It is geared toward the novice and treats you as an intelligent reader.I have been sculling for the last 6 months, so I am a newbie to the sport. The information contained in this book is wonderfully presented and arranged. It is easy and enjoyable to read.For those of you interested in training this book lays down a good base with which to further your skills and performance.I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in rowing.

Very informative sculling info...looking for good for scully info? well look no further...my father made me read this...I hate my after...where are you mommy...please come home soon...signing off,love,Vulkan Nolte

As a complete novice I hoped this book would show how to go about setting up and handling a single scull. The book illustrates techniques etc with photographs which are very poor. Most of them are no more than 4.5 X 4.5cm. They are all monochrome and the contrast is awful. Some are almost completly black making it impossible to see what is gonig on. By the appearance of the clothing worn by the demonstrators I would think that this book has its origins in the late 1940s.On one of the pages in the copy I received the printing was miss-aligned cutting of the first letters of the first word on each line.The book may contain good information but needs a major overhaul to meet with the standards of today.

Well written

IMO it is great for beginners and for experienced scullers, especially if sculler does not have access to good coach.

Libro fascinante muy bien escrito, con humor y detalladas descripciones. Incluye ejercicios para mejorar el equilbrio, el ataque, la recuperación, etc.