How to Row an Alden Appledore Pod

Alden Appledore pods are ideal for recreational rowing.

The Alden Appledore Pod is a sliding-seat sculling boat designed for ocean rowing. Much like the classic Alden, its wide width gives the boat stability in unprotected waters. The Alden Appledore is slightly larger, with extra room in the boat for gear or passengers, and may be converted into a sailboat. An Appledore is ideal for recreational rowing and best rowed at moderate speeds. Its stability makes it safe in rough waters. The power created from the sliding seat creates a faster and easier row than that of the traditional fixed-seat rowboat.

Instructions

1. Sit in the boat with your feet strapped. Hold the port oar handle with your right hand and the starboard oar handle with your left hand. Push the handles of the oars outward so the button (a plastic black ring approximately 1/2 inch wide) presses against the oarlock (the pivoting black square the oar is secured to). Maintain this slight outward pressure throughout the stroke.

2. Pull your body into your knees so your shins are perpendicular to the base of the boat and the seat moves up the slide tracks (closer to your feet). Sit up straight, and lean slightly forward. Extend your hands outward in front of you; your arms will spread outward to accommodate. Your arms should be straight, forming a V-shape. This is the catch position.

3. Align the blade so it is perpendicular to the water.

4. Raise your hands to lower the blade of the oar into the water.

5. Push off the foot-stretcher using your legs so the seat moves away from your feet, toward the bow. Keep the blade in the water and your arms straight for the first part of the push, and in the second half (while still pushing with legs) move back into a lean-back position and pull your arms in until the handles are close to your chest. This is called the drive. During the drive, the handles of the oars will overlap; keep your right hand (port oar) on top. The drive ends in the finish position, with your legs straight and fully extended, your arms pulling the handles to your chest and you leaning back slightly. From push off to finish, the drive should be one swift motion.

6. Lower your hands to raise the blades out of the water.

7. Adjust your hands so your left hand (starboard oar) is in the upper position. Extend your hands out in front of you. Lean forward, and slowly move up the slide, back into catch position. This is called the recovery.

8. Repeat the full stroke (the catch, drive, finish and recovery) as often as desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Maintain control of the oar handles at all times. Your hand position determines the blade's position. Raising your hand puts the blade into the water, and pushing down raises the blade.

• When setting up the oars, make sure the oarlock is facing the stern, which is the same direction you face while rowing.

• Make sure the blades of the oars are not overscored or underscored when pulling through the water. The blade must be "square," or perpendicular to the water's surface. If it is not square in the water, you could lose control over the oar and run the possibility of injury.

References

• Adirondack Rowing: Alden Appledore Pod
• Peinert Boatworks: Primer on How to Scull