Dirty finishes including catching a crab

Symptom

Not being able to release the blade at the finish. The blade fells as though it is being dragged downwards deeper into the water.

Cause and solution #1

Cause

Not enough pitch.

Solution

Check pitch.

Cause and solution #2

Cause

Arc of the stroke too long at the finish, pinching the boat.

Solution

Check stretcher position in the boat and/or the inboard of the blade as the button may have slipped.

Cause and solution #3

Cause

Poor balance control.

Solution

Practise balance exercises.

Cause and solution #4

Cause

Blade incorrectly released at the finish.

Solution

Make sure the blade is being accelerated to the finish and taken out square. Square-blade paddling is a good exercise for practising the extraction of the blade.

Cause and solution #5

Cause

Inusfficient height of the work.

Solution

Check the height of the work, and adjust if appropriate.

Cause and solution #6

Cause

Blade being feathered during extraction, causing water to be flicked up by the bottom edge of the blade.

Solution

Make sure the blade is extracted square. Practise with square-blade paddling.