If you do not complete a stroke to the very best of your ability, then you can be sure the next stroke will be compromised. Chasing strokes (i.e. rushing to the next stroke without calmly/confidently completing the stroke you are on) is the surest way to tire yourself out and to compromise speed and efficiency. A consistently confident, drawn out, complete stroke represents undying trust in yourself and your crew. On the other hand, tension represents quite the opposite. Tension represents doubt. It represents a lack of trust. It represents fear. Row in a way that represents trust in your ...