Originally Posted by
andyjay
Stroke rate is very much dependant on lots of things, height, leg length etc, and also what/how you are rowing. If you are sprinting, which I suggest you aren't, then your stroke rate would be higher, sometimes 40+, or if you are working on power during the stroke, you may be doing 18 or 20 strokes a minute. 26 SPM seems about right for what you are doing, but really depends on the long term goals as to whether it should be faster or slower.
As for the 'power curve' of the stroke, there is lots written on C2 website which explains how it works and the ideal shape. A smooth symetrical shape is ideal as it denotes a even spread in power through out the stroke rather than uneven strength or weakness in one or two phase of the stroke.