CrewNerd for Rowing & Paddling User Reviews

Name: CrewNerd for Rowing & Paddling
Rating: 4.6 (257 reviews)

CrewNerd for Rowing & Paddling

Performance Phones, LLC

💪 Health & Fitness

What users say

Summarized from real user reviews of CrewNerd for Rowing & Paddling. Based on 257 reviews and a 4.6/5 average, it highlights the 13 positives and 12 negatives reviewers mention most about this Health & Fitness app.

Positive things

👍Comprehensive metrics and customizable display options
💰Significantly cheaper than dedicated NK SpeedCoach devices
📊Excellent data visualization and post-workout analysis
🗺️GPS mapping and course tracking capabilities
❤️Bluetooth heart rate monitor integration
⚡Accurate stroke rate and distance measurements
🔄Seamless syncing with Strava, Apple Health, and other apps
🎯Customizable workout creation and interval training
📱Works across multiple boat types (rowing, kayaking, paddling)
🌙Clear display visibility in low light conditions
🤝Responsive developer support and continuous updates
♿VoiceOver accessibility for blind rowers
⚙️Flexible customization for different sport disciplines

Negative things

🔋Significant battery drain on iPhone (reported ~75% in 2 hours)
📡GPS accuracy issues affecting split times and pace readings
🐛App stops tracking or crashes when phone locks or other apps used
⚠️Unreliable meters per stroke calculations
🌞Poor screen visibility in direct sunlight
🔌Requires waterproof case/pouch for water safety
❌No Apple Watch integration or native watch app
🎨Outdated interface design (recent updates criticized as cumbersome)
📍GPS connectivity issues in some locations
🔄Inconsistent performance with Bluetooth connections
⏱️Unreliable split time readings
🚫Cannot run reliably in background with other apps open

Top reviews

Most Recent Highest Rated Lowest Rated

Great alternative to NK speedcoach

This app is generally great. It gives you all the metrics you want and you can adjust the screen to suit your preferences.

I use this as an already to an NK SpeedCoach in fine rowing shells.

Battery error Update
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I deleted the app and re downloaded it and it seems to have solved the battery drain issue discussed below.
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However, recently the versions of this app seem to really drain my iPhone 13 mini’s battery (~75% in 2 hours!). The phone has a new battery and no other circumstances drain it so quickly, so I wonder if recent updates are doing some unnecessary calculations behind the scenes. Please look into this when you get the time to.

I prefer to pay the monthly fee of £2.99 to get regular use of it and hopefully if enough people do the same the developer gets a decent monthly take home from it.

Thanks for developing a great solution for an expensive problem in rowing.

Aaron ipod5thgen

3 months ago

Works well in a pinch

Downloaded it on the water because my stroke coach was almost dead, and it works pretty well. Strokes per minute and distance are consistent and accurate. Splits are a little weird, because it’ll tell me 5:25 on a sprint and 1:33 on a paddle sometimes so you kinda have to use your intuition on that but it still works well. Meters per stroke is very finicky though. It often times will be completely wrong. This app isn’t going to be as good as an NK speed coach, but it is still good

Hivey Lana

3 months ago

Response from developer

Thank you - the speed/pace numbers will only be as good as the GPS readings that it's based on. The signal strength indicator in the speed/pace field should show 6 green bars for best results. The stroke length is measured over your last 10 strokes, and also depends heavily on GPS accuracy. CrewNerd supports external GPS receivers, which will often give better results than the phone's GPS.

Disappointed

Distance, stroke rate are OK, 500m split readings are really bad, I tried all the speed methods available and only got worse. I was benchmarking against my Suunto 9. I paid for life, going back to Android apps.

hellriser1100

5 months ago

Wanted it to work

Purchased this for competitive flatwater kayak training and racing. After several hours of training it only turned green and was able to connect to satellite for maybe two minutes total. The only stat it showed was speed. Tried all suggestions and ideas but could not get it to connect and it was basically useless. You have to buy it also to find out if it really works. Went ahead and bought a $1200 Garmin watch instead. Worked much better than this app.

DLWBVR66

8 months ago

Response from developer

If the top bar didn’t turn green, that suggests a problem with detecting strokes. By default, the auto-start feature is enabled, so the timer only turns green when a stroke is detected. Kayaking is the most challenging sport for stroke detection because the acceleration on each stroke is relatively small. A Vaaka sensor attached to your paddle gives very accurate stroke rates to the app. Many kayakers report good results with that. You can also adjust the stroke sensitivity on the advanced settings page.

Has it All

CrewNerd has every setting, flexible screen view options, slick data charting post-workout. I rely on it every rowing outing. Highly recommend.

Ben Doar

10 months ago

Rapid support!

Wow! My review was read and I received immediate instructions on how to fix the problem! Thank you!!!!
Now I can capture maps of my training sessions :)

Previous review: I thought I bought the monthly subscription. I guess the ‘free trial’ is part of it. So it only recorded 3 minutes of my training session. Ugh!!! Just give one free day no limit as the trial vs 3 min…. I guess I have to wait 7 days till the trial is over and my subscription kicks in…

oneswellshell

a year ago

Response from developer

I think I found the problem that you're running into. If you selected the evaluation mode and then purchased a monthly or annual subscription, the app isn't currently turning off evaluation mode. You should be able to work around this by force-quitting the app and restarting it. I'll fix the problem in the next app update. I'm sorry for the inconvenience.

Trial is stupid

I thought I bought the monthly subscription. I guess the ‘free trial’ is part of it. So it only recorded 3 minutes of my training session. Ugh!!! Just give one free day no limit as the trial vs 3 min…. I guess I have to wait 7 days till the trial is over and my subscription kicks in…

oneswellshell

a year ago

Response from developer

The best app for rowers

I love this app. Thank you tony

Wang Jing Ping

a year ago

Keeps stopping tracking

Went for a row but it turns off tracking after around a minute or two. I go rowing for an hour and I kept having to stop to fiddle with this stupid app. Useless.

GJKSJIOSNGI

a year ago

Fantastic

I’ve used it for years and love it.

5j8&?rfd

a year ago

Love that data

I’ve used this app for several years every time that I’m on the water. It is easy use and helpful to review my row and my line on the map.
I had some issues with the app turning off a a few years ago. After I contacted the developer, they got right back to me and worked with me to solve the issue. Great customer service.

kwsINwa

a year ago

Single Sculler

Brilliant App

JD Sculler

a year ago

New version is worst

I loved the old version but the new version has the worst display for the workouts. It’s dripping me crazy. If it is not solved I’ll need to seek another app to row

Wang Jing Ping

a year ago

Response from developer

Can you say more about what you dislike about the new display? If you could send an email, I’d love to have a conversation about that.

Essential for coxswains, coaches and rowers

As a coxswain and coach, I’ve tried many devices, but CrewNerd is by far my favourite. It’s super easy to use, has a great customisable display and gives all the usual metrics, plus many more.
I particularly like the ease of creating custom workouts and the ability to get all that data easily.
For coaching it’s a game changer. The data is detailed and helps with race strategy and making adjustments. Plus the app syncs with all the main apps, strava, apple health, concept 2 etc.
Overall, CrewNerd is a must for anyone in rowing.
Also super cheap and lots of updates happening all the time.

latitude1

a year ago

Great app!

Use it for sculling, coxing, and sweep. I purchased it when it was first introduced. One time purchase with no subscription fees. and have used it every row since. Very user friendly. I recommend it to all my rower friends.

Pamm44

a year ago

Horrible

Update 2025.5 is terrible. Previous updates were great. Now with this update they have made the app cumbersome to use. Example, Home Screen cannot be changed. Why do I need to see courses? I’m going to look for a different app as they have completely f….ked this one up.

4valve

a year ago

Caroline

Really good. I’m not a techy, but I can’t fault it for what I use it for which is stroke rate, pace/speed, heart rate. Not sure about the check as rowing on tidal water. Downloads to other apps appear to manual, but it goes through quickly enough with no problems. I would recommend getting this before paying £100’s for a new Stroke Coach.

Caroline B-S

2 years ago

Second to none!

I’ve used CrewNerd since 2009 or so. It just works, is always updated and simply gets better and better with age (unlike me, as ~14 years of app data shows…)

GreatDane71

2 years ago

Response from developer

Wow, you were one of the very early users! Thank you for your support!

Feels really dated

Complicated interface, not a fun app to use

NotAHappyUser2000

2 years ago

Best rowing app ever!

Crew Nerd’s team of developers can be counted on to keep updating and improving the app as people use it. We have been using this app as a team of rowers for many years and are constantly impressed. Best money ever spent on an app. Keep track of your workouts and your boats, never use post-its or stroke coaches in the boat again! And you can upload to Strava too. Five stars.

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