Oars shafts contribute to boat speed purely as a lever.
Oar Shaft Drag is the extent in which an oar shaft encounters the water, counteracting the forward momentum of the boat. The rower's effort moves the boat but with normal oars is required to move up to half of the oar shaft through the water.
You can see in the image below that half of the oar shaft is in contact with the water. The rower forces the shaft down into the water at the catch, pulls the shaft through the water during the stroke and then draws it to the surface at the finish.
Each of these movements effects boat speed, and when this is multiplied by eight oars and then by over 200 strokes in a race this drag effect is huge.
The role of placing a Randallfoil on a blade is to remove the oar shaft completely from contact with the water.
"A foil is a lifting surface that operates in water."
Randall foils lift and keep your oar at the correct height during the rowing stroke. Our studies have shown that boat speed is lost when an oar shaft is buried under the water. By attaching a Randall foil boat speeds increase 3-5 seconds per 500 meters.* In a sport of fine margins, the Randall foil is a game changer.
You will achieve a perfectly straight draw through, just as you would on a rowing machine. All your power is transferred horizontally into direct forward motion.
You will notice some other advantages
- A smoother finish
- Better stability and consistency in crew rowing
- Faster racing starts
- A more even running boat wake
Randall foils are computer designed and precision cut to fit Croker, Concept 2, Empacher and Braca blades sweep and sculling blades.. Made from a durable and light ‘wearex’ plastic to ensure flexibility and strength that will not splinter or shatter if you encounter an impact.
*Speed increases were seen during our studies, comparing like for like, swapping only oars with/without Randall foils over various distances and conditions.
