All about Oars with Meredith & Kevin from Concept2
This episode of the Faster Podcast, will help you to better understand the Oar range from Concept2.
Meredith and Kevin explain all there is to know about the different blades, oar shaft and grips from Concept2. We discuss how Concept2 started to where they are today. Key differences between the different blade shapes and oar shaft. How to set up the boat with different oars. How to care and maintain the equipment. To ideas and best practice on how to test which set of oars/scull are the best for you.
Meredith Breiland
Meredith started rowing in high school. She quickly fell in love with early morning practices, erg tests, blisters, and track bite. She continued her rowing career at Cornell University. After graduation, she switched her focus to running and triathlon.
At Concept2, Meredith is a member of the marketing team. Her passion is working to diversity the sport through social justice initiatives. She currently rows with Green Mountain Rowing, a sculling club founded by her husband. They stay active with rowing, running, skiing and chasing after their two daughters.
Kevin Stevenson
Kevin is a mechanical engineer at Concept2, having worked on rowing oar and ergometer development for 13 years. A collegiate rower and graduate of Hobart College, Dartmouth College, and the University of Vermont, he’s a Vermont native, and work at Concept2 allows him to combine his love for product development and rowing while taking advantage of all the area has to offer. When not rowing he can be found with his wife and three kids skiing, biking, tinkering, or maple sugaring in the spring.
Speed Testing Oars – Concept2 Testing Protocol
Conducting the Test
Peter and Dick use the following procedure when conducting speed testing:
- During testing, row at least six pieces, switching between the two oars or sets of sculls for each piece. Do as many pieces as possible to see if a pattern evolves.
- Do not change anything other than the oars being tested. If you change other factors during a test, you will not know which change made the difference.
- Row all pieces at maximum effort, because it is easier to be consistent. Avoid testing with longer pieces, as they require pacing and other factors that could skew your testing results.
- Timing accuracy is critical, and timing a fixed number of strokes (versus timing a distance) is the most accurate method. Set the speed meter so that you have 10 strokes to get up to speed, then start recording speed data for the next 40 strokes.
- If you choose to time a distance, make sure it’s at least 500m. This minimizes the effects that result from differences as to when a piece begins and ends relative to the stroke cycle.
- Do not look at any results until all pieces are complete, as knowing the results during the test may affect your performance. Cover the speed portion of the display with a piece of tape during testing.
- Only test during calm conditions, and row all pieces in the same wind direction. Changes in a tailwind have less effect than a headwind.
Evaluating Results
Peter and Dick use the following principles to evaluate results:
- Graph the results and calculate the difference in speed as a percentage.
- Because day-to-day variation is too great, stick to comparing trials that were done on the same day.
- Test the same variable several days before making a conclusion.
- Keep in mind that test results only apply directly to the crew doing the testing.