Making rowing local and affordable

It all started in 2009 when Flood was invited by FISA to run a coaching course in Uganda. “During my first visit it was obvious to me that there was enormous enthusiasm and government support for the development of rowing – and a talented pool of athletes,” explains Flood on his website www.theopenboat.org. “Since that first visit I have been back to Uganda four times and have also done similar work in Kenya.  One of the problems restricting the growth of rowing is the cost of equipment. Not only is it expensive at source but there is the cost of transport, 25 per cent import duty and 16 per cent sales tax.”

So finding a means to reduce the cost of rowing equipment to help boost the development of the sport was a solution that became evident to Flood. Conveniently, not only is he a rowing coach, but he also has a background in engineering. “As an engineering designer I have been involved in many projects, some of it related to medical equipment and water pumps in African countries,” says Flood.

Flood’s designs are based on the principle of appropriate technology; that is, designing things appropriate to local skills, materials and knowledge. “My choice of materials was governed by what is available in the target countries,” he says. One of Flood’s favourite quotes is from economist Dr. Ernst Friedrich Schumacher, the founder of the appropriate technology ideology: “Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex and more violent. It takes a touch of genius – and a lot of courage – to move in the opposite direction.”

The initial ‘OpenBoat’ prototype took about three versions over a month or so to be developed, “and quite a bit of tinkering to get a frame and mechanism that worked smoothly,” says Flood who adds that it is still in continuous development. “The information is freely available, as is help and advice. With open source projects, others contribute improvements. I hope to see many more variations.”

Improving the designs, researching appropriate materials locally and providing instructions to interested individuals from around the world – all of this is just part of Flood’s daily agenda. “I think of it as part of my coaching activity. Also I think about aspects of the problem both when I’m going to sleep, waking up or on a train journey. I design a lot in my head before I use Computer Aided Design (CAD) software to produce a realistic model,” says Flood.

Flood suggests that equipment should be adapted in three steps: “I believe that the first step should be to adapt traditional local boats for use with riggers and sliding seats. The second step is the lighter and faster OpenBoat, then the use of racing boats. OpenErgos with bike computers calibrated to mimic the Concept 2 display are also needed for teaching technique and fitness training.”

Much interest has been expressed so far, with Flood receiving on average one request a week over the last three years for the instructions, from all around the world. But Flood does see one challenge. He says there can be some resistance, as people in African countries at times aspire to the latest technology, rather than ‘poorer’ alternatives. “I think that it will only catch on when clubs in Europe start to use OpenErgos and it is seen as a ‘cool’ thing to be involved in,” says Flood. Indeed, Flood does not see the OpenBoat and OpenErgo projects as appropriate for developing nations only. He believes that the designs can be used by any country that aims to develop rowing as a sport.

Nations where rowing is already a developed start also have the option to sponsor an OpenBoat or OpenErgo to help boost the sport where it is just beginning to grow. Please express your interest at: enquiries@theopenboat.org

For more information:

OpenBoat information https://sites.google.com/a/theopenboat.org/the-open-boat/home

OpenErgo information https://sites.google.com/a/theopenboat.org/the-open-boat/the-openergo

OpenErgo made in Kenya – Demo1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Zqp12SNjHM&feature=youtu.be

OpenErgo made in Kenya – Demo2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilHSKFhPPFA&feature=youtu.be