Sport settings
At the top of the settings screen in the "Sport Settings" section are the four settings that you should set when you first start using CrewNerd. Choosing the correct settings here will ensure that you get accurate stroke rates and that your speed and distance are displayed in the correct units.
Activity
The activity setting helps CrewNerd detect strokes accurately based on the expected stroke rates and acceleration profile for the selected activity. For example, rowing stroke rates are lower than those for a canoe or paddleboard, which in turn are lower than kayaking. The maximum acceleration of the boat on each stroke varies as well.
The activity setting is also used when exporting your workout data, so that your workouts are identified correctly on training sites like Strava.
The activity options are:
- Row
- Kayak
- When kayaking is selected, a "kayak style" option is shown, allowing you to select either flat-water kayaking or "surfski". In surfski mode, CrewNerd recognizes that you may surf for extended periods of time, and the timer should not auto-pause. It will also give regular speed & distance updates while surfing.
- Canoe / SUP / Pacific Outrigger
- Dragonboat
Units
CrewNerd supports four different sets of units for distance, pace, and speed. The options are:
| Distance | Pace | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Meters | Time per 500m | Meters per second |
| Kilometers | Time per kilometer | Kilometers per hour |
| Miles | Time per mile | Miles per hour |
| Nautical miles | Time per nautical mile | Knots (nautical miles per hour) |
Note: you can always display your 500m pace, even if you selected one of the others options for units.
Show velocity as
In CrewNerd, your velocity can be displayed either as "pace" (time per distance) or "speed" (distance per time). Rowers generally want to see their pace over 500 meters, but paddlers often prefer one of the speed options. This option determines how your velocity is shown be default on the "Row/Paddle" screen.
Direction
This setting tells CrewNerd which way you are facing in the boat. Rowers face the stern, while coxswains and paddlers face the bow. In dragonboats, paddlers face the bow, while drummers face the stern. This setting is important when the "auto start/stop" feature is enabled because it enables CrewNerd to start the timer the instant that you begin your first stroke by detecting the forward movement of the boat.
The direction setting is also important when using custom courses and waypoints. CrewNerd can give course corrections using left/right arrows, so the app needs to know which way you are facing to orient the arrows correctly.
NOTE: for canoe and kayak activities, the direction is always "facing the bow", so this setting is hidden.
Heart rate zones
On the heart rate zones page, you can specify how CrewNerd should calculate your heart rate training zones. The first setting allows you to choose which of the common techniques should be used to calculate your zones:
- % of Max HR - based only on your maximum heart rate
- Karvonen (Heart Rate Reserve) - based on your resting and maximum heart rates
Your maximum heart rate can be estimated, based on your age, or entered manually if you have already measured it. If you use the Karvonen method, you must also enter your resting heart rate.