While the junior women’s squad at Tideway Scullers School may believe a trusty pair of Oakleys tops the table as they add a touch of ‘Free Speed’, there is no denying that Nielsen-Kellerman has revolutionized the sport of rowing with their cutting-edge technology. This year’s Henley Royal Regatta saw every winning crew possess at least one NK SpeedCoach, underscoring its value among high-level clubs and crews that win. The advanced SpeedCoach model provides real-time metrics such as splits, distance, elapsed time, average split, and stroke rate. When connected to an impeller, it offers even more precise readings, unaffected by water conditions, allowing rowers or coxswains to monitor exact boat speed with even more accuracy. Additionally, the introduction of the Empower Oarlock, which integrates with the SpeedCoach, offers real-time telemetry data, invaluable to any crew looking to propel themselves to the highest levels of their competition space. This allows rowers to adjust their stroke on the fly or enables coaches to provide immediate, data-driven feedback, further enhancing training and performance.
History
Founded in 1978, NK was originally established with the goal of simplifying the coxswain’s role, but has since expanded its focus to include paddle boarding, kayaking, and canoeing, becoming a global leader in on-water sports technology. In the years following its inception, NK began rolling out early versions of products still in use today. The first iteration of the stroke and speed coach was released in 1981, marking the beginning of a lasting legacy. This early success laid the groundwork for NK’s continued dominance, especially as rowing evolved to embrace more scientific approaches and data-driven training. In 2012, NK introduced the SpeedCoach as we know it today, solidifying their place at the forefront of the sport’s technological advancement.
My Experience
During my brief stint in the stroke seat of both an eight and, later, a four, I had the chance to use an NK SpeedCoach and experience firsthand how invaluable it is to a boat’s performance. One of the most appreciated features for any stroke seat during set-rate pieces is the ability to monitor the stroke rate. Not having to constantly ask the coxswain for updates allows you to take more responsibility while maintaining a robust and stable rhythm, giving the crew the freedom to focus entirely on maximizing speed. However, in a race scenario, where there isn’t a limit imposed by a restricted rate, I’d argue that seeing the split is equally important.
The time-elapsed function is also invaluable, especially in longer head races, as it helps with pacing and prevents the much-feared ‘blow-up’. As the stroke, you want to avoid running out of energy, as it can significantly disrupt the boat’s rhythm and ruin your crew’s chances of taking home a medal. Lastly, the average split is an often underrated but crucial feature of overall performance. Tracking your speed over the entire piece helps you understand where you’re losing time, allowing for more targeted improvements during training
The Faults
Although the saying goes, ‘The cracks in the diamond make it shine brighter,’ it’s hard to see the sparkle when you’ve just taken an icy plunge into your home stretch of water, watching your 500GBP SpeedCoach sink into the murky depths below. The two main issues with the SpeedCoach can be summed up as flotation and price.
First, flotation ability. Anyone who owns a SpeedCoach is likely worried about losing it overboard. While the various attachment options available make it difficult for the device to fall out of the boat, I’ve had a few heart-stopping moments after accidentally knocking mine, praying it didn’t go overboard. Fortunately, NK has responded to consumer concerns by offering a flotation device, helping ensure that not too many SpeedCoaches are lost to rivers and lakes worldwide.
Secondly, there’s the issue of price—a significant factor, not just for the SpeedCoach but for the sport of rowing. Rowing is expensive, and it can be hard to justify spending hundreds of pounds on a device that provides you with numbers and data. Larger clubs with bigger budgets may have no issue buying SpeedCoaches in bulk, but for smaller clubs, it’s more of an investment in long-term performance, with the expectation that the device will last for years.
Closing Thoughts
No one in the rowing community can deny the power of the SpeedCoach. While it may have a couple of very minor drawbacks, they do little to diminish the competitive edge this tool provides. No matter what type of program you are in, one thing remains constant: regardless of your club’s size or budget, it’s almost certain you will have at least one SpeedCoach in your arsenal.
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