Some feedback I received today ...

Montgomery Bell Academy the leading RANDALLfoil school in the US

Empower Oarlocks - Investing in Technology over Performance

I remember wondering when I first installed an impeller on the hull of my single scull, if I would notice the extra 'drag' ?  The literature made the point that the benefit gained from having the data far out weighs the -1% speed loss over a 2000m race.  Even though the data from an impeller is far more accurate, the advent of GPS systems is seeing impellers being removed to gain back that extra speed. It looks like we do care about performance after all.

Many clubs are now investing in Empower Oarlocks to measure and display in real time important data sets like watts and catch angles. Having real time data is extremely important, however the 'drag' of this system is far greater then -1% speed loss.  One of the critical design faults of the device is the limitation of blade pitch, as Empower oarlocks can only use a 4-degree pitch. Speaking with one of the engineers, I was told that it is to do with the algorithms which require a standarised setup. Removing the ability to adjust for pitch is reverting back to the old "technology over performance" mindset.

This design limitation makes such an important piece of technology obsolete as a 4-degree pitch angle is a standard set up for 'old' blades which need this extreme pitch to create stability and hold on the water. The RANDALLfoil oar eliminates the need for oar pitch as the foil creates that stability and hold, giving back the negative performance and efficiency loss that oar pitch creates.*

The rowing community has shown a high regard for on-water performance and are investing accordingly.... perhaps the engineers of Empower oarlock will do the same with future versions of their product.

* testing has shown that RANDALLfoils may be pitched down to 1 degrees ( pins set at 0 ).

MBA MAKE HISTORY with RANDALLfoils

Montgomery Bell Academy Freshman 8 made history today. Very proud of these young oarsmen who represented the very best of effort, determination and focus all year long for MBA. 6th in the Nation. Congrats to these young oarsmen and to all Big Red Rowing for a great year. #RowRed

Global News & Updates

  

7:45

S1 Club BIOROWER Review by Ian Randall

Banner Day for Montgomery Bell Academy

Note : image distortion caused by photo-finish camera technology

MBA competed in the Midwest Scholastic Championships: 49 teams from 9 different states with bids to the National Championships on the line. Racing a total of 9 boats with all 5 of the boats that we anticipated doing well not only made it into the finals, but they each also earned a medal! 1 Gold (2x), 2 Silver (Ltwt 8, Freshman 8), 2 Bronze (Ltwt 4, Ltwt Novice 4). We brought up 33 boys to the regatta, 24 of which are grade 9 or 10, racing many senior crews and finished 4th overall in the team standings. The crew who won the double had only 5 months of water time sculling and won the race in a photo finish (above).

Note: Freshman 8 averages 146 lbs (66.5 kg) with a 5'6", 119 lb (168cm, 54kg) stroke seat.

All MBA crews race with RANDALLfoils

Full Interview with Drikus Conradie

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Testing your speed

Many people ask me about +5% Speed with RANDALLfoils. 

It is clear that any rowers speed fluctuates over a race, a training session, an entire season and throughout a career. If you are serious about rowing competitively, you will utilize everything available to ensure +%speed. In an age of personal GPS and fitness measurement devices, you can know for sure if you are achieving +speed.

The bottom-line ... things that easily create +%Speed
- good diet
- ample sleep
- regular training
- effective power to weight ratio (lowering your BMI)
- well maintained equipment

The next level ... don't go blindly
Seeking ways to further achieve +%Speed comes with deeper levels of training, technique and advanced equipment. It is here that many athletes wander blindly and don't actually know if the changes they are making are effective.

You need to measure, track and record your speed to know if you are achieving +%speed, =%speed or -%speed.

I suggest that every rower needs to know three levels of speed:

     1. Top - fastest speed achieved over a race distance under race conditions (1km or 2km)

     2. Hard-deck - slowest speed recorded over a race distance under race conditions (1km or 2km)

     3. Running -  average speed during a steady state session measured against heart rate (and/or
                             power) and strokes per minute.

From this data set, you will be able to determine if the changes you are making are creating +speed.

Independent, evidential and anecdotal testing continues to show a +5% Speed with RANDALLfoils 

NO stopping MBA with RANDALLfoils

Montgomery Bell Academy has begun the season right where they left off - at the top !