Catching a crab

Question
Hey
I'm in my teams ltwt 8+ and i am so scared of catching a crab!! I caught a small one in a race and at practice and it just seems to happen because I'm thinking about it. I am soooo scared this will mess up my boat and I will catch one next weekend at our big race!! What do I do?!?!

Answer
Hi Courtney: Let me tell you a story.  In my very first race, I caught a monstrous crab which nearly broke my nose, stopped the boat dead and caused our crew to finish in last.  I was emotionally devastated and nearly quit crew right there.  

But I couldn't have that be the way my rowing career ends.  And besides, I was a port oar and they put me in Starboard side a day before the race.  I probably would not have crabbed had I rowed port.  The first race after that, I felt the way you did.  One guy even said, "If you crab, just jump in the water and drown yourself." While I consciously thought about feathering clean and squaring up the blade at the catch.  You just don't have time to think about that during a race.  Well, I did alright in that race...and the 80 or so races after that (though I caught a small one in a sculling race many years later).

I've seen great rowers crab.  Sometimes it's just bad luck...you go a bit deep and the boat suddenly leans to that side and you crab.  There's so much else to worry about in pulling hard and strong through a race...why add another thing to your head.

So just go out there this weekend and row a technically sound race.  Unless your wrists are getting tired (then you are doing something wrong), you shouldn't have a problem.  Maybe you are gripping the oar too tight or your hand placement is a bit off.  But it will work out.

Good Luck/AP