Although rowing has been around for a long time (see thousands of years), most of the exponential speed gains have occurred in the past 200 years. The most dramatic changes in boat velocity have been the result of changes to the hull and other equipment used on the water, but that discussion is for another time as controversy surrounds some rowing innovations that have been banned (teaser).
In addition to these on-the-water speed boosts provided by innovation, many rowers and teams benefit from off-the-water resources that we now take for granted. Ergometers and rowing tanks lead the pack for most land training (sweep and sculling simulators are also slowly gaining popularity). Rowing tanks are of special note because they are all now so similar in design. One line of rowers one behind another; commonplace in rowing, and often a crisp design to boot.
But what if there was a different, crazier solution…
Meet the circular rowing tank:
The idea is fairly simple, a rowing tank that houses rowers at the center of a ring-like tank, and row with oars that point radially outward into the tank. Wow. Did anyone know this idea existed?
The idea is fairly simple: a rowing tank that houses rowers at the center of a ring-like tank, and row with oars that point radially outward into the tank. This is a wild design, but would it work? Some aspects of the design do make sense:
- As the water is enclosed in a circular tank, it flows much better than traditional and modern tanks that have tight turns that slow flow. This means that the water theoretically can move fast enough from the rowing action alone to simulate a moving boat.
- You don’t need military grade engines to pump water through your tanks.
- The design is also somewhat aesthetically pleasing.
- Lightweight rowers may drool at the chance to row inside a donut.
- If I were selling this to a team, I would also put a large swivel chair at the center of the circle of rowers, so coaches and coxswains can ream their rowers without standing.
However, there are some obvious drawbacks to this design:
- What club can actually accommodate an enormous circular room in their boathouse.
- The design may take up about as much floor space as a traditional tank design, but it is still an awkward circular shape.
- The only logical places that could hold such a tank are the elevated dome at St. Paul’s cathedral (so we can hoist British rowers up next to god) or inside Tony Stark’s giant arc reactor from Iron man (so we can prove rowers are the face of power and efficiency)
- On a more practical note, the design does fail to replicate the feeling you get in a boat of following your stroke seat.
- It’s finally 3 seat’s time to take the wheel.
So in summary, I don’t care about any of these drawbacks. I’m building one of these in my future imaginary mansion.