1. Different Oars for Different Uses
There are different types of rowing oars on the market, and the one you select will depend on the type of rowing you do. Sculls are oars used in sculling events and tend to be smaller. Starboard oars can be of different sizes, but they're always used on the rower's left. These have green markings and the right side of the shell facing forward. Port rowing oars can also come in different sizes and are used on the rowers right as they face backwards. The left side of the shell of a port oar faces forward and these oars are have red markings. Oars can be made out of modern materials like carbon fiber or wood.
2. Spoon-Length or Full-:ength?
So, what size oar should you use? There are a lot of factors to consider, but a few general guidelines will help make your decision easier. You'll want a longer rowing oar if you have a heavier load. Slower boats require shorter oars. If your reach is long, you should have a shorter oar. Rowing oars can be a fixed length or an adjustable length. The adjustable length ones usually have a handle out of synthetic materials that can be adjusted by two inches.
3. Macon Blade
This is a traditional rowing oar blade size that came to market in the 1960s. It was extremely popular until the 1990s but has been replaced by different styles. It's used today mostly by traditionalists. The Macon is almost 20 inches long and between six and seven inches at its widest point.
4. The Rowing Oar Smoothie
Smoothie rowing oars are meant to improve handling in rough water and increase rowing speed. Smoothie oars are have blade curvatures at an angle of 10 degrees from the shaft so they're not in line with it. This allows the small blade curvature to flow with the water when stroking. Smoothies have a blade with no central ridge. Smoothie oars come in three forms: the Fat Smoothie, the Smoothie Vortex and the Straight-edged Smoothie. Length and width varies.
5. The Big Blade
The Big Blade rowing oar is 8.5 inches by 17.3 inches. It came to the market in 1992 as another option to the Macon. Its purpose was to provide greater stability than the Macon. Since the Smoothie came to the market, the Big Blade has decreased in popularity, but some rowers still like it because it allows them to bury the blade deep in the water.
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