Frontrower Modified for Restricted Hip Motion or Rower with a Hip Replacement and The problem with rowing at night and paddling into the wind - Gail E. Ferris
I
have restricted hip motion such that my hip cannot flex more than 90
degrees because I have a hip replacement.
Before I had my hip replaced I lost the normal mobility in my hip due to
dysphasia and the resulting osteoarthritis.
While
rowing I noticed that I was unable to comfortably execute a full sculling
stroke in sliding seat and also with the Frontrower. Through experimentation I found that I could execute not only my
most powerful stroke but also my quickest stroke by adding a length of line
threaded through semi-flexible tubing such as irrigation or garden hose tied
off on the oar loom and to the handle.
I developed a stroke, which integrated both flinging my arms forward,
but also flipping the oars forward with a snap provided by my wrists.
The
length of my stroke was sufficient to provide suitable propulsion in concert
with my legs. I would start my stroke
with my arms and finish off with my legs.
The problem with rowing at
night and paddling into the wind
I have rowed and I have kayaked, and I just can't be bothered any more with rowing backward or paddling without levers. I'm interested in achieving two goals. I want to have the better-balanced, more complete exercise that rowing offers and I want to be able to travel longer distances and tolerate stronger winds and bigger waves.
I've been pushing my luck with my single Alden Ocean Shell. It is well-designed versatile hull with plenty of lift in the bow, and if I time my stroke and control my direction, I can manage a steep 2-3 foot chop. However I want something more capable of handling higher waves, and I have two requirements. I want to row facing forward, and the secondly I want to be able fly the oars as need be.
A better hull is the Klepper Aerius II because it is decked over leaving only the cockpit open and has a rudder which could be modified for hand operation.
www.nykayak.com/Pages/klep.html
I
don't want to sacrifice the pleasures and advantages that I know so well from
kayak paddling. What’s wrong with
rowing is that when I row facing backward I feel that I am entering into the
crystal ball aspect of boat control. I am relegated to being the victim, and my
response to a wave is just a secondary correction.
One
of the biggest advantages of being a kayak paddler is that I can evaluate and
interact directly with the waves.
I
prefer to be on the water at night.
At
night I avoid the harshness of bright sunlight, and can take special pleasure
in solitude with the wanton freedom I savor on the nighttime sea.
Boating
at night makes being able to see where you are going and what you are lined up
to crash into much more difficult than during daylight conditions. Perspective vision disappears as the sun
drops below the horizon, and rowing facing backward at full tilt is no longer
just challenging. Trying to see what is
behind you while rowing facing backward becomes a harrowing, neck-wrenching
ordeal.
What
about kayaking? With a kayak I face
forward, but I find the kayak paddle really is inefficient because there no
mechanical leverage other than what you are capable of giving it. When the wind speed increases, you
experience that undeniable decline in your capability to paddle against the
wind, which ranges from just slightly diminished to your being completely
overwhelmed. My first twenty years of paddling the limitations of strength
during paddling against the wind has gotten to be a little boring. Paddling can cause the usual litany of
shoulders, elbows, wrists, or hands ailments.
When
you can't take the stress of paddling anymore, you have to resign yourself to
some alternative. And the same is true for those who scull as they age because
over time rowers loose the necessary neck-twisting flexibility that enables
them to look where they are going.
I
can watch the approaching waves closely. I like being able to fine-tune my
stroke to coincide with the wave faces. I am able to enjoy experimenting with
more complex wave structures. I feel less threatened and can enjoy my Alden or
Klepper Aerius II in more challenging water.
The
mechanical advantage rowing has over paddling is that rowing offers
symmetrical, more efficient, propulsion, because propulsion can be applied on
both sides at the same time. There are
times when propulsion on alternate sides is useful too.
In
quiet waters, to get in close along the rocks, I like to row with one leg and
paddle on the other side. I take a short canoe paddle for last minute
approaches to beaches and very quiet paddling for viewing wary sea birds. The
FrontRower system, with a slight modification, can be used in large-cockpit
double kayaks, such as the Long Haul Mark II, Klepper Aerius II, Pouch, and
Folbot, as a self-sufficient, car top-able boat and propulsion system. It can
also be used in the Alden Ocean Shell.
http://longhaulfoldingkayaks.com/
Coming
down the wave sets, I find that I can make the Alden hull surf in the same way
the Alden surfs with my Oarmaster and Douglas FeathOars.
http://www.merrywherry.com/alden.html
With
the forward-facing rowing rig, it helps if I extend my stroke and increase my
thrust as much as possible by setting the seatback aft several inches and
executing a stroke similar to a horizontal squat thrust. The bow has to have a
foot of air beneath it to get up and surf.
Timing
in relation to the wave and application of the stroke is very important. I
generally surf either straight down the wave sets or off at no more than 45
degrees. The flat bottom Alden tends to
want to get off on a severe broach if she falls off any farther.
I
can row with just my legs or alternate.
Do you ever become bored with the limitation of propelling your boat
with just your hands? Maybe you'd like to read a book or a map, take sun sights
with a sextant, troll, read your course on your GPS, cruise next to the other
guy and talk with your hands. After all, one of life's greatest pleasures is
being able to talk with your hands. I
have had the pleasure of cruising past the towndock while rowing with just my
feet and eating an apple. This demonstration is always good for those people
who come down to the dock every day to see what's going on out on the islands
and to make sure that all is well with Stony Creek, the little town that time
almost forgot.
Aquamotion
Engineering, Ron Rantilla, 30 Cutler St, Warren,RI 02885 aquamotion@juno.com http://www.frontrower.com phone 1-401-247-1482 designed the
FrontRower a Front Facing Rowing mechanism which enables disabled to row with
hands, legs separately or in various combinations. Ron has also designed a canoe entry system for disabled persons
unable to use their legs.