MK1 Oarlock Evolution - Rowing (pair)

Magik Oarlock Evolution gates really are very good. The Evolution gates are completely different from what most people are used to... But this is great. Standard gates are very ?slippy? and there is a lot of movement (inside the gate) whereas the Evolutions hold the blade in the gate giving you a very responsive catch. In calm water the catch is far more efficient as the drive phase can start immediately. This definitely increases your boat speed at light and firm. You can apply more pressure from catch to pin and when the water is especially choppy and a blade hits a wave it doesn?t switch from feathered to square so easily. I tested this out racing at the National Schools in Nottingham in rough weather (?eights were sinking). However, if you have been rowing for a long time (10-15+ years?) the period taken to adjust to the Evolutions could be quite a long time if you are used to the old style because feathering is stiffer... ? That said, to make feathering easier in the single the softer elastic bands can be used. Problem solved. I personally used the toughest bands (yellow) and was fine sculling! Although some people will be sceptical about the difference a gate can make, there are also smaller benefits. They are easy to open/close, good for both senior and novices and I know they make a difference and that you can go faster for it! I think that their effect would really be at its best in a crew boat (especially a quad), but then every little bit helps in a single too! James Bedford Rowing ClubRating: [TEXT_OF_5_STARS]

Having taken up sculling and rowing 7 years ago at the age of 48, I was definitely in the ?nervous novice? category, especially in my 1X. Some good coaching has helped ? but I still had a problem with squaring too late, and also a feeling of ?instability? on the Start. I always felt that the blades were going off the ?square?. I had an outing in a 2X in Germany, which had the Magik Oarlocks fitted, and the difference on squaring was fantastic. I have now fitted the Magik oarlocks to both my singles, and have at last managed to get some decent starts, and can take that first stroke with absolute confidence. Karon Phillips, Maidenhead Rowing ClubRating: [TEXT_OF_5_STARS]