Modelling the effect of oar shaft bending during the rowing stroke

The behaviour of oar shaft bending during the drive phase is examined using a hydrodynamic-based model of the rowing stroke. By modelling the complex time-varying hydrodynamic load on the blade, the amount of shaft bending during the drive can be calculated. It is shown during the first 45 per cent of the drive that the blade rotation rate is up to 30 per cent slower than the oarlock rotation rate as the oar deflects and energy is stored in the …