AUTHOR=van Nieuwburg W. C. A. M. , van Spreuwel B. J. J. , Tran M. T. K. , Yang M. D. , Greidanus A. , Mulder G. , Tummers M. J. , Westerweel J. , Suijker W. , van Wijk R. 

TITLE=Improving rowing performance by adjusting oar blade size and angle

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sports and Active Living

VOLUME=Volume 5 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2023.1109494

DOI=10.3389/fspor.2023.1109494

ISSN=2624-9367

ABSTRACT=A 1:5 scaled rowing boat is used to determine the performance of rowing blades with different
sizes and blade angles. This was used to validate the results of a previous study where the
optimal blade angle of 15 degrees with respect to the oar shaft was determined (Grift et al.,
2021). The input power and speed of the rowing boat can be compared between original and
modified oar blades. Measurements in a towing tank demonstrate that a modified rowing blade
result in faster rowing by 0.4% at the same input power. Maintaining the same stroke rate, the
improvement of the blade efficiency is compensated by using a 4-6% increased blade area to
yield the same input power.