Developing rowing machines in Africa

Developing rowing machines in Africa; that is the impetus behind the Openergo Project – producing rowing machines in the country that they will be used. Recently British rowing coach Jim Flood visited Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda to explore the opportunities to develop a basic ergometer that can be manufactured locally.

The idea, says Flood, is to use the ergometers to help in the development of rowing but also develop indoor rowing as a sport.

On his travels Flood saw that each country had its own approach to the sport. With a background in engineering Flood is well equipped to develop an ergometer that could be developed in the nations that he visited. “I've had a long involvement with appropriate technology projects,” says Flood. “The basis of this is only to introduce technologies that utilise local skills and materials and which will help to stimulate the local economy. It was obvious to me on my first visit to Uganda that the only way rowing would be sustainable was if most of the equipment could be made locally.”

As far as Flood is aware this is the first time a project like the Openergo Project has been done in the sport of rowing. “I have done some work for Water Aid and it is the basis upon which all their wells and pumps are made,” says Flood. “It is now the policy of the World Bank to fund mainly locally owned and maintained projects.”

The trip to Africa, jointly funded by FISA and British Rowing, had Flood first travel to Tanzania. At present there is no rowing as a sport in Tanzania but there is interest in indoor rowing as a sport. The local perception of rowing, says Flood, is that it’s expensive. “As far as we know there is one privately owned sculling boat in Tanzania. They are very wary about taking on anything that is not sustainable.”

Flood visited fitness centres that all had rowing machines. “These machines are imported at considerable cost,” says Flood. “Given that there is a growing use of fitness centres, there is a possible marked for a locally produced ergometer.”

Flood then moved on to Kenya where rowing is well established with 10 prominent rowing clubs and eight more in the planning stage. The Kenya Navy and Kenya Ports Authority are the main supporters of the current development of rowing. Again there was enthusiasm in developing ergometers locally and a number of schools agreed to build a prototype.

The next stop for Flood was Kampala, Uganda where the idea of building ergometers on a commercial basis appealed. “It is clear that there is strong support for the sustainable local development of basic rowing equipment, including boats,” concluded Flood. “Not only is this more cost effective than gifts of equipment, it also promotes training and commercial enterprise.”

For more information go to: http://openergo.webs.com/

The World Rowing team values feedback.