ABOUT ROWING TANKS

Rowing tanks have traditionally used the power of the athlete to circulate the water around the tank. Rowers sit in rowing positions, generally fixed to a concrete structure, and use oars that end up resembling sticks of wood in an attempt to reproduce the correct resistance against a blade whilst rowing.

The experience is unrealistic; a chore for experienced athletes, and difficult to master for beginners leaving them unprepared for the feel of a real boat.

THE MECHANICS OF ROWING

An eight, it's rowers, cox and oars weigh about 1 tonne (1000 kgms). Whilst rowing on the water the rowers energy is spent pulling (or pushing) themselves through the water, overcoming the drag on the shell of the boat. This is equivalent to each rower pulling 125 kgms through the water.

EXISTING TANKS

In traditional tanks, 4 rowers sit on the side of each channel and have to move approximately 20 tonnes of water past themselves, meaning 1 rower moves about 5 tonnes (5000 kgms) of water past himself. Assuming normal rowing oars are used, this is about 40 times harder than rowing in a boat on water. The oars are torn through the water and the feel of the rowing stroke is not accurately reproduced.

Generally traditional tanks are limited to rowing and cannot accommodate sculling.

So...our new design.