2018 FISA Conference Berlin - RANDALLfoil Presentation

Thanks to Tim McLaren

I wish to thank Tim McLaren for his generosity and assistance in testing peak performance capabilities of the RANDALLfoil at UTS Haberfield, Sydney. The challenge of any new design is ensuring that it can perform at all levels, from beginners to elites. With confidence, elite athletes can utilise the performance benefits of this design.


"Your world-class athlete can perform with whatever they row with because they have a mental toughness that sets them apart. It will be interesting to see if they will consider exploring the [RANDALLfoil] design." Tim McLaren

Rich Kesor - Head Coach of Montgomery Bell Academy

I would like to congratulate Rich Kesor for leading his school's rowing program through a most successful 2018 rowing season.

Rich's dedication to his boys and staff is for all to see. Rich has personally checked over every aspect of his program, each boat, oar, down to each nut-and-bolt. Not to mention the hours of coaching time and driving boats to each regatta.

As a maths and physic teacher, Rich has understood the importance of oar performance and has considered in the past methods and innovations to assist the students he coaches.

It was under Rich's leadership that Montgomery Bell Academy was the first Rowing Club to put their full confidence in the RANDALLfoil.

Well done Mr Kesor, a world-leading rowing coach!

You can catch some MBA races here on YouTube

Historical 'foil' designs: close but missed some critical points

There have been a number of historical designs which look similar to the RANDALLfoil but simply failed to perform, this is why...

Braca Sport - Hatchet Blade

Both Braca Sport and Croker Oars have trialled 'wave' formation blades in the past. These designs involve extending the top lip in an attempt to capture the water flowing over the blade. The aim of this design was to create more hold or grip on the water. You will also notice some current C2's seem to have the remnants of such a design element. The Croker wave formation was disbanded in the prototype phase as the rowers were not able to extract the blade cleanly from the water at the finish. These 'wave' designs were not effective in preventing the blade from being buried and once submerged could not be released.

In contrast, the RANDALLfoil design does not employ a wave formation, but a distinct opposing surface which is set against the flow of the water - a hydrofoil. 

The primary design concept was not to create more hold on the water (though this has been one of the surprise results, a measurable reduction in catch slip) instead to eliminate all contact between the water and the oar shaft. The oar shaft is a pure lever and when in contact with the water acts like dragging a pole through the water. The buried shaft serves only as a point of resistance against the effort of the rower.

The RANDALLfoil creates a hydrofoil lift effect without the rower being able to bury the shaft through the water whilst employing a technical and powerful horizontal rowing stroke.

The result : faster boat speeds

RANDALLfoils eliminate oar shaft drag

RANDALLfoils eliminate oar shaft drag