CdCf

Heh! My back isn't straight even if I try! Kyphosis and scoliosis...

But yeah, I know what you mean.

MillCreek

On the concept two website, there is video of the proper form to use on a rowing machine: https://www.concept2.com/us/training/tools/howtorow.asp

ebr898

Rowan pretty much covered it. Regarding how to finish the stroke: it depends on what you are practicing to do. If you are going hit the water one day, you want to practice a good release, if not it's a good work out.
The way I used to explain it was: Your hands , back and arms are linkage to your large muscles in your legs and butt. (The hands and arms will provide control but you are not having to manipulate the oar(s) so I am not going into it) The hands should not clench the handles. If you want Popey fore arms go ahead and clench the handles tight, other wise make a "J" shape with your hands and have the handle rest in the curve of your fingers.
The same principal works regarding your arms straight arms = your skeletal system assisting trasfering the force. If you keep your arms bent through the drive you have to burn effort to keep them bent and they dampen the amount of force you can put on the oar. The easiest way to show (prove) this to oarsmen is to have them hang on a pull up bar. First have them grip the bar tight and keep thier arms bent and count a few seconds as they hang there and eventuly drop. Then have them hang with arms straight and a non clenching grip - they know imediatly the differance.
The back is a bit tougher to explain. The main problem most people have when start is allowing the seat to move with out the oar/handle moving, because the back is not locked. The force that should be moving the oar is wasted by the person, who is shaped sort of like a C, colapsing like a parallagram on a rear der. Good fourm on the back is important to avoid injury.
The finish discussed earlier depends on wheather you are going on the water or not.
The recovery is some what simplistic because it also depends on if you are going to be on the water or not. I liked to explain it this way your hands pull the rest of you forward :
Hands away, pulls arms strait, strait arms pulls on sholders pulling back forward, the back only comes forward untill you feel your pelvis rock forward into the indents in the seat. Then your knees ease up and you float forward ( in a boat the hull sould be going underneath you) ( In rowing you do not want to check the boat & kill the run by sliding forward like a slap hammer). When you get to the catch, where you start to drive back again , you should not go too far forward. If you are over reaching you will be allowing your back to fourm around your knees, the back should stay straight and tight ready to link the explosion of your legs to the oar.

This is it in brief.

Machka 

I wish someone, who knew what they were doing, could watch me row and tell me if I'm doing it right. I'm trying to follow all this, but it's hard when I can't really see what my body is doing.

Anyway, I guess I'll see if I am in a lot of pain tomorrow, or not! I just did 15 minutes this time, and I dropped the tension to 6.

Jarpmann

+1 to rowan and ebr
some good points in here so ill just add this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkfWe5eIw4c

EDIT:this video was made by an on the water rower for other on the water rowers. as such, he drops his hands at the recovery, which is not necessary unless you row on the water.

also you should have the damper set low(3-5 i do my erg tests at a 3) with a low stroke rate(18-24 spm) with smooth powerful strokes.

the first eighth of the drive should be used to "catch" the speed of the flywheel gently. then really put the power on once you have the freewheel engaged. and above all, FLUID movements! there should be no jolts or sudden, sharp movements.

EDIT 2: well, maybe ill throw my two cents in too

CdCf

Looking at that video, I can see that what I'm doing different is that I don't move quite as deep into the "tuck", but that's because my knees and lower back aren't that flexible. The other difference is that the guy in the video pulls it to his chest, while I pull it to a position about 3-5 inches lower. Other than that, I'm doing it the same way, even the "drop".

I may not be that smooth, though...

ebr898

I felt hamperd by not bieng able to draw "Mr. Stick". In looking at Jarpmann's suggested you tube thier is another one that has a stick man -its even animated! Take a quick look at it.

Regarding finding some one to coach you. Do you have a local university crew team, or local rowing club? You could ask them if they can help you. I have known coaches that were as evangelical about recruiting oarsmen, and others that came off as "snobby". It does not hurt to ask. You will most likely find some really nice people who are as fanatical about there sport as we are here in bike forums.

Machka 

Good news!! My back doesn't hurt today ... the day after last week's rowing session I could hardly move my back hurt so much, but today is the day after this week's rowing session, and I'm fine. I'm planning to row again tomorrow and work on smoothness.