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Marine

No more shoulder checks – RowVista gets rowers facing forward

By Ben Coxworth
October 27, 2023
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The RowVista forward rowing system lets rowers see where they're going
Row&Sail
The RowVista forward rowing system lets rowers see where they're going
Row&Sail
A close look at the RowVista setup
Row&Sail
The ROWonAIR package combines a RowVista system with an inflatable stand-up paddleboard
Row&Sail
Two RowVistas can be used on one watercraft
Row&Sail
RowVista works on kayaks, among other watercraft
Row&Sail
View gallery - 5 images

Rowing is a great form of exercise, not to mention a highly efficient means of traveling across the water, but … you're facing backwards the whole time. The RowVista system changes that, getting rowers facing in the direction they're headed.

Manufactured by Austrian company Row&Sail, RowVista takes the form of a kit that can be mounted on an existing rowing/sculling boat, stand-up paddleboard, kayak or canoe. It's also offered as part of a ROWonAIR package that includes a system-specific inflatable paddleboard.

The RowVista user plants their butt on a seat that slides along an aluminum roller rail with foot supports at the front. A yoke-like carbon fiber outrigger beam is connected to that rail, passing through it at right angles so that its two ends extend out past either side of the watercraft. Located at each of those ends is a linkage mechanism that works with an integrated two-piece carbon fiber oar.

A close look at the RowVista setup
Row&Sail

When the forward-facing user pulls back on the oars' handles, the oars themselves are drawn through the water, moving from the front of the watercraft to the rear. Pushing the handles forward brings the oars out of the water and swings them back forward, ready for another power stroke. A YouTube video provides a detailed look at how the linkage works.

As is the case with traditional oars, the user moves them up and down simply by moving the handles up and down, and adjusts the angle (or "feathering") of their blades by twisting the handles accordingly. Row&Sail founder/CEO Jochum Bierma tells us that this ability to adjust the feathering sets RowVista apart from other forward rowing systems.

What's more, the linkage boosts the twisting action to the extent that a 65-degree twist of the wrist produces an 85-degree twist of the blade. Bierma says this arrangement results in less wrist fatigue than a regular set of oars.

RowVista works on kayaks, among other watercraft
Row&Sail

The whole setup can reportedly be assembled on an existing watercraft in just two minutes, without any tools. Pricing for a full kit starts at €3,876 (about US$4,096).

You can see RowVista in use, in the video below.

Source: Row&Sail

View gallery - 5 images

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MarineRowingWatercraft
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Ben Coxworth
Based out of Edmonton, Canada, Ben Coxworth has been writing for New Atlas since 2009 and is presently Managing Editor for North America. An experienced freelance writer, he previously obtained an English BA from the University of Saskatchewan, then spent over 20 years working in various markets as a television reporter, producer and news videographer. Ben is particularly interested in scientific innovation, human-powered transportation, and the marine environment.
10 comments
Tech Fascinated
Looks impressive and would be interesting to try on a canoe. $4K is a bit steep though.
Trylon
How about a single handle like most rowing exercise machines, connected to a rope that's wrapped around a spring-loaded propeller drive shaft? You pull on the handle, the reversible pitch self-feathering propeller spins in one direction as well as loading up the spring force. During the recovery, the spring winds the rope back up around the shaft while spinning the propeller in the opposite direction as the blades flip around. Mount it on the bow and the shell or boat would be more stable, being pulled rather than pushed through the water. A split foot plate to allow ankle action to turn the drive unit for steering. No wrist action needed, so much less chance of typical rowing wrist repetitive stress injuries.
Robt
Pricing starts at $4,000?
A good quality camera set up and screen would cost a heck of a lot less
Golfer299
I wish thought of that! Now make one for under $1K.
PAV
Looks like it's amazing, I wonder what if any of the drawbacks are.
A.L.
I personally prefer a spinning propellor.
veryken
Pure mechanical engineering genius! I’ve always thought some kind of pivot would solve that age-old “problem.” And I’ve always thought such pivot was impossible due to the twists and huge torque or stresses. But apparently, with modern materials, it can be done. They understandably want to be compensated for it.
anobium
Hope to see this demonstrated at next years Henley Regatta.
dcris
Market these in Bend OR....they will eat these live.... And not even squirm about the price.
Brian M
I'm sure I've seen something like this years ago? The downside is that you are adding a mechanical linkage that is going to use up some of the rowers energy in additional friction. Maybe that is countered by a more efficient stroke?

Nonetheless seems, for us occasional rowers, a nice, but pricy idea!
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