Subj : Re: More Speed
To   : rec.sport.rowing
From : Bob
Date : Mon Nov 22 2021 08:57 pm

On Monday, November 22, 2021 at 7:10:33 PM UTC-7, carl wrote:
> On 21/11/2021 21:56, Bob wrote: 
> > I (finally) realize the need to research past conversations before starting
 new ones. Most of the time the subject has already been addressed given the
long history of this group. For the same reason there is also a tendency to
forget past discussions more than a few years old. 
> > 
> > The trigger for this was coming across a research paper on speed strips for
 oar shafts. It turns out the subject was discussed years ago and expanded to
other incremental changes that can improve speed. 
> > 
> > It seems that one can break these improvements down into technique and
equipment. 
> > 
> > Could we come up with a list of ten to twenty equipment tweaks that can
each give an incremental increase in boat speed for sweep boats based on past
discussions? It would be interesting to see that list. 
> > 
> > Examples are: 
> > Steering systems - The obvious one is from Carl Douglas but others? 
> > Oar shaft shape/diameter, minimum diameter, elliptical - whose? 
> > Speed Strips on shafts - patented and unavailable? 
> > Oar shaft stiffness 
> > Riggers for reduced drag - which types? 
> > Minimizing rower drag - how? 
> > When to roll up? - gray area involving technique 
> > The importance of balancing boat power? 
> > Rigging - front load (sweep)? 
> > etc etc. 
> > 
> > Surely there must be many coaches out there who understand the importance
of incremental improvements and who might want to try some of the ideas from
such a list if it were readily available. 
> > 
> > Thanks, 
> > 
> > Bob 
> >
> Sadly, to be seen tinkering with tech is not most coach's top priority. 
> After all, they have first to get the crew up to speed, & always there 
> is a little bit more to do in that direction. 
> 
> What is needed is an engineering support team, or a team engineer, who 
> fully understands the physics & mechanics, allowing the coach to address 
> the myriad aspects of bringing the crew together & to peak performance. 
> 
> The first appearance of speed strips on oars was with the GBR Olympic 
> men's eight in 2000, & it's not patented so anyone can and should do it. 
> 
> Shaped shafts (e.g. elliptical section) have been used by Dreher. 
> 
> Rigger drag - we made a wind tunnel & performed comparative drag tests 
> with pleasing results. 
> 
> Rowers & windage of boat. Back in '78 we made a shaped deflector to go 
> ahead of bow's back on the W2x which went to Karapiro. But they never 
> took it out of the box! Similar devices have been seen at international 
> events more recently. In 2000, as well as addressing oar-shaft drag, we 
> made recommendations for reducing the open space ahead of cox, which 
> were implemented in Sydney. Before that, a Dutch 4- wore tops with 
> smooth hoods. And lots of hair is not exactly a good idea either. 
> 
> The problem is in getting people to measure or accept these effects. 
> While one can calculate & quantify the benefits from various small 
> changes, I think crews & coaches are looking for dramatic improvements 
> rather than hard to assess marginal gains, & these aren't easily come 
> by. So good ideas have short lives. 
> 
> Cheers - 
> Carl 
> 
> -- 
> Carl Douglas Racing Shells - 
> Fine Small-Boats/AeRoWing Low-drag Riggers/Advanced Accessories 
> Write: Harris Boatyard, Laleham Reach, Chertsey KT16 8RP, UK 
> Find: tinyurl.com/2tqujf 
> Email: ca...@carldouglasrowing.com Tel: +44(0)1932-570946 Fax: -563682 
> URLs: carldouglasrowing.com & now on Facebook @ CarlDouglasRacingShells
Carl,
 That was part of the reasoning behind a list that you experts can more or less
 agree on. It makes it easier
to try things and in a sense, they are independent of the crew.  
 For example which riggers performed best in the wind tunnel or is that another
 search into the annals of Rec Sport Rowing?
  I realize it may be to big of an ask and the biggest gains are in the crew
but so many races are so close!. It doesn't take
,many fractions of a percent to add up.
Bob
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