POST
Interview with Mark Emke
2008-06-08
In their first year in Aviz the Dutch Heavyweight team is training for golden day in Beijing. During their busy training with had the opportunity to have a chat with Mark Emke, one of the more experienced dutch coaches.
Paulo Lourenço: When of the selection into the 4- in the 90's, Drew Ginn pulled 6:06, was not a big score when compared with the values of other heavy rowers, but apart of this he made part of the Oarsome Foursome, and become one of the best rowers. Are the erg score important in your process of selection? Is the score eliminatory?
Mark Emke: I think ergo scores are important but not all overruling. I always look to three aspects and try to score them as a multi criteria analysis: ergs, techniq and mental, and then for these three the present state and what I expect in the future.
PL: Do you see videos of the regattas to study your team opponents and your teams?
ME: I do study videos to see different kind of rowing and learn from what others are doing. Videos of regattas are mostly bad to use. Sometimes I make some myself. Especially in the part of the race I like to study.
PL: How do you manage the weight, erg and water training?
ME: For weight training we have two specialists. They make a program on our wishes and support the rowers when they are busy with it. That’s really good!
Erg and water training are followed every day and sometimes we do small or bigger test to see what is the impact and the result of it. Erg shows scores, boat training we use speedcoach always.
PL: What is the importance of Biomechanics?
ME: I am not too theoretical about this. But from experience, talking to others and looking I build up an optimal stroke. That’s what I use as start point.
PL: What are the differences between the training of a heavy and a light rower?
ME: There is no difference, only when it is about getting to be light. And that is in some parts of the year or in the week before the last preparing for regattas.
PL:Are there differences in the physical work between a rower of the 8+ and 4-?
ME:In principal no, but the age and experience of the rowers are different.
PL: In Munich your 4- were 3rd, if it was now what do you changed in your race's strategy?
ME: Be better prepared for the last 250m.
PL: What was your sweetest victory? Why?
ME: As a coach: The win of silver medal in Athens, not really expecting a medal at all. And of course the win in Luzern last year.
PL: For Beijing, do you think that the British will give up of the 4- and will create an 8+, like they did in the world Cup of Amsterdam?
ME: Have no idea, but they have some good rowers.
PL: How will be the field in Beijing, the main opponents?
ME: I imagine us rowing three length before all the others. But, no kidding, there are some opponents. It is not important to focus on them.
PL: How many rower you should have in the pipeline to create a competitive 8+?
ME: We changed the eight from last year on four positions. And also the cox. We start the selection with about 16 rowers.
PL: Is the 2- the base for the 8+?
ME: We train in all kind boat types. 2- 4- and 1x. We like to work a lot with them in fours.
PL: Is the catch the most challenging part of the stroke cycle?
ME: The catch is the outcome of what went good. I never coach on catch it self. I use the blade work now and then to check and to create some change...
PL: An effective catch depends on what?
ME: Having the right position, speed and togetherness in the last part of the slide, blade position.
PL: What is the importance of the coxswain?
ME: To keep the boat in a straight line to the finish, trying to get the crew together and stick to the race strategy. If possible he feels what more is needed.
PL: What is your opinion about Avizacqua and Aviz.
ME: I very much like the place. The rowing water is very good. If we can have a 2k lane over there it will be even better.
The accommodations are getting better in the future.
Avizaqcua & Paulo Lourenço