The Pocock Stroke

Posted April 13, 2017

“George Pocock said that the best oarsmen in the world had been the Thames professionals who rowed all day long, so he would meet us at the dock at 8:00 AM and return at 4:00 PM. George Pocock told his son Stan not to read books on rowing because they were all written by University educated types. The best information on sculling came from the Thames Watermen. The Thames Waterman that George and his father Aaron admired was Ernie Barry, the World Professional Champion.”

Hobart’s stroke man in 2015, Joe Beismeyer from Portland Or., shows excellent bladework and uses a sculler’s entry.

Sherri Cassuto demonstrates the sculler’s entry (Thames Watermen sculling style taught by Frank Cunningham), safe back posture, and great attitude toward life. Lake Washington, Seattle, Oct 13, 2015.

George Pocock

James C. Joy

Over his long career as athlete, coach, teacher and mentor, Jimmy has touched directly and indirectly thousands in the rowing community. From novices to national, world and Olympic champions, and for coaches at many levels, all have benefited from his holistic and technical approach to a cyclical non-fragmented stroke where there is a strong bond between body, shell and the water creating a state of flow within an integrated whole.