2.5 years ago, in 2022, together with three friends of mine, I completed the final project of our Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering at TU Delft with our research.
How can we make adjustments to athletes' equipment to help them improve their performance? That was the overarching question, specifically focused on rowers. In a previous study, it was already discovered that rowing can be more efficient if the oars have a 15-degree bend from where the blade starts.
What this study also found in its results is that, unfortunately, the bend also caused each stroke to become less effective. That's something we don’t want, as it means less work is done per stroke, which is crucial for speed. The new design may be more efficient, allowing you to feel less fatigued at the finish line, but with a less effective stroke, you’ll slow down quickly and won't win anything. Therefore, we wanted to ensure that rowers would feel at least as tired as with conventional oars, but with the efficiency of the bent oars such that they are quicker.
There are three main ways to increase the amount of energy transferred to the water with each stroke. These are increasing the stroke rate, enlarging the blade surface, or lengthening the oars. Increasing the stroke rate was immediately ruled out, as it would feel unnatural for the rowers. The other two options are both logical, and we chose to enlarge the blade surface.
Building the rowing boat, taking care of it, rowed and measured, then did the calculations, and we knew it! Our little boat went faster with the same effectiveness as before. We have now proven that after enlarging the bent oars they maintains their efficiency. But why is it more efficient with the bend? Ideally, we want the energy you put into rowing to be directed as effectively as possible. This means that the propulsion of the water should be parallel to the direction you’re moving. At a zero-degree angle, the water is pushed more outward, while at a 15-degree angle, the water moves straighter backward.
And there you have it! Rowing with a bend and a bigger blade isn’t just more efficient—it keeps you moving faster. So, if you want to get ahead, remember: sometimes all you need is a little bend and a bigger paddle. And hey, if life gives you oars, why not give them a tune-up while you're at it?
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