Sport - Oscar Propulsion

Whenever you pull against a blade in the water, it puts a strain on your body. Over the course of a recreational outing, training session or race this will happen many hundreds of times. For competitive paddlers and rowers, the risk of injury is significant. For recreational paddlers, comfort and stability are key.

So, we asked some simple questions: is it possible to reduce the physiological impact of every stroke while maintaing efficiency and performance?

Oscar Propulsion patented cut blade technology

The answer is yes.

The advantage of incorporating cuts or slits into paddle and oar blade design stems from the hydrodynamic principles of pressure difference. Here’s how the cuts maintain the high and low pressure difference on the front and back of the blade, contributing to improved efficiency and a reduction in physiological impact:

Hydrodynamic Principles

Pressure Difference: When a blade moves through water, it creates a pressure difference between the front (leading edge) and the back (trailing edge) of the blade. The front experiences high pressure due to the resistance against the water, while the back experiences low pressure due to the relative vacuum created as the water flows past the blade.

Driving Force: This pressure difference generates the driving force that propels the paddle and craft forward. A greater pressure difference results in a stronger driving force.

Role of the cuts

Flow Dynamics: The cuts in a blade allow a controlled amount of water to flow through the blade rather than just around it. This flow through the cuts modifies the wake and turbulence patterns behind the blade, which help in maintaining a more stable pressure difference.

Reduced Turbulence: By allowing water to pass through, the cuts reduce the formation of large vortices and turbulence behind the blade. This reduction in turbulence means that the low-pressure area behind the blade remains more consistent, which helps maintain the pressure difference.

Improved Efficiency: With cuts, the blade can achieve greater efficiency without a proportional increase in drag. This is because the cuts help in distributing the flow more evenly, reducing the overall resistance faced by the blade as it moves through water.

Balanced Force Distribution: Cuts help in distributing the forces acting on the paddle more evenly, reducing the chances of asymmetrical loading on the body.

Physiological Benefits: Even force distribution helps in preventing muscle imbalances and reduces the risk of injury from repetitive strain on the body. This is particularly important in paddling and rowing, where asymmetrical forces can lead to long-term musculoskeletal issues.High-pressure water created on the front of the blade during a stroke escapes round the edges (backflow) to fill the low-pressure area at the back. The cuts allow some high-pressure water to squeeze through the blade. As it does so, it loses energy and becomes low-pressure water.

Learn more about Rowing
Learn more about Dragon Boat
Learn more about SUP, Kayak & Canoe

Competitive & Recreational

Every blade-based water sport will benefit. Competitive paddlers and rowers will now be able to push themselves harder and for longer with less fear of injury, and thus maximise their performance.

Recreational paddlers will immediately feel a more comfortable and stable stroke enabling longer outings and shorter recovery times.

This technology is especially important to junior users whose bodies are not fully developed, and seniors who wish to row and paddle for many more years.

Competitive
Recreational

For the past five years, we have been developing a patented technique and application of putting cuts through the face of rowing and paddle blades, the primary objective being to reduce the physiological impact on the body without the loss of any force or efficiency and to optimised performance.

Our results are revolutionary

PERFORMANCE

No loss of performance or power from the blade
Less physiological stress, enabling maximum performance

CATCH

Softer lock on
More stable lock on
More secure lock on

DRIVE PHASE

Good acceleration
Easier to keep the blade locked on through to the finish
Longer stroke

EXIT

Cleaner exit

PHYSIOLOGICAL

Stroke feels lighter
Progressive power curve
No back pain

Slits can be applied to Dragon Boat and Outrigger paddles with the same positive results.

Our results are amazing

PHYSIOLOGICAL

Stroke feels lighter
No shoulder or back pain

PERFORMANCE

No loss of performance or power from the blade
Less physiological stress, enabling maximum enjoyment and shorter recovery time

CATCH

Softer
More stable
More secure

DRIVE PHASE

More comfortable
More stable

Rowing

Paddle Boarding

Kayaking

Dragon Boat

“I am really excited to feel the lock onto water again and power through the boat and blades. I can really see the blades having an incredibly positive affect on minimising the back/ shoulder/ hip injuries elite rowers are unfortunately susceptible to.”

Rachel Morris, PR1 2016 Olympic Gold

“Since using the slitted blades, I have noticed there is less stress and fatigue on my back. The slitted blade allows for a softer catch and therefore less loading on my back and body in general. These blades would seriously reduce and minimise back injuries which rowers are susceptible to. Since using the slitted blades I have encountered no symptoms of back pain.”

Adrian Miramon, World Coastal Bronze and European Gold, 2021

“We notice a much softer catch right from the first few strokes” and “feel a gentler entry.” and “the oar/blade feels more stable through the stroke than regular oars.”

Olympic medallists and European Champions

“Allow you to scull with more confidence - everything locked; no instability; cleaner catch and finish; better buried during the drive.” and “More comfortable to use; stays locked onto the water; finishes are cleaner; makes the boat a more stable platform to work from.” and “Softer catch, less risk of back overload.”

UK Masters

“The slit Aqua Bound Manta Ray paddles have been used by many differed users, junior through to senior. They feel softer, lighter, smooth power progress through the stroke. Feedback is consistent that they are easy to paddle with”

Sam Saunders – Senior Coach, The Leaside Trust

“The more I am using the paddle the more I am impressed. After doing a couple of 20km paddles, I could definitely feel the differences as the blade went through the water, which also relieved the stress in my shoulders and forearms. I also noticed the stability when going against the elements such as the current/tide and wind.”

David Haze – The Nomadic Paddler, @nomadicpaddler 7 world records

“I used it for 25 miles! It felt great on my shoulders. I have shared the paddle and at the end of each sessiom, I asked each person the same question - would they invest in the paddle for their own personal use after experiencing the difference? It was a unanimous YES!”

Karissa Freeman @goingcoastalfl and @karissasjourney

“The slits help reduce the strain on my shoulders. I have been able to use it several times and I really enjoy it! I’m excited to try this out at my next race so stay tuned!!!”

Shannon Lockhart @shannonlockhart_

“I found your new one [slit paddle] meant I was having to put less pushdown on the catch. So, less strain was going into the physio braces I wear on my arms to try and prevent/minimise the tennis elbow issues I have.”

Jo Hayes – Hurricans Dragon Boat Club

“Less fatigue. Despite it being a long session, I felt fairly fresh throughout. Less sore shoulder/back despite paddling for an hour on one side, my shoulder did not ache at the end like it has done doing these sessions in the past. Also, my back did not ache once we had finished. This could be because the loading of the paddle at the front end felt natural and less forceful.”

GB Paddler

“Less effort is required to make an effective catch and having made the catch, it remains in place throughout the power phase of the stroke. It also follows that with a less aggressive catch, there have to be benefits in terms of the reduction of shoulder injuries in the long term.”

Ian Bowers – Wraysbury Dragons

Latest News

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Henley Masters – Croker slit blades win O.MasG.4+

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Bill Bailey gives the thumbs up

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80 miles non-stop paddling – Bahamas to Florida

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European Endurance Gold!

Sport| October 2021

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Rowers, Para-Rowers and Ocean Rowers?

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