The Difference Between Smooth and Efficient Rowing

Smooth rowing often looks good from the bank. Efficient rowing is what actually makes the boat faster. The two are related — but they are not the same.

Why smooth rowing can be misleading

Many crews are praised for being “smooth” because the boat appears calm and the movement looks controlled. But smoothness alone doesn’t guarantee speed.

A crew can row smoothly while still leaking speed through poor timing, weak connection at the catch, or pressure applied at the wrong moment.

What efficiency really means

Efficient rowing is about how much of the athlete’s effort actually moves the boat forward. It’s not about how relaxed it looks — it’s about what the hull is doing between strokes.

Smooth crews can still be slow

Coaches often see technically tidy crews that feel pleasant to row in, but struggle to convert effort into speed.

The reason is usually simple: the stroke looks smooth, but key moments — the catch, the first part of the drive, or the release — are inefficient.

Efficient rowing isn’t always pretty

Some very fast crews don’t look textbook-smooth. What they do have is timing, connection, and consistency under pressure.

From the boat, efficiency feels powerful, connected, and repeatable — even if the style isn’t perfect.

Why efficiency matters more in racing

Under fatigue, smoothness often disappears. Efficiency is what survives.

Crews that are efficient lose less speed in the final stages of a race and hold rhythm when others start to fall apart.

How RowXL helps identify efficiency

RowXL analysis focuses on repeated stroke patterns, not isolated frames. Reports highlight where speed is gained or lost across multiple strokes.

This allows rowers and coaches to prioritise changes that improve efficiency — not just how the stroke looks.