If you’ve ever seen a photo of the sculling champion, Ondrej Synek in his single scull, you may have noticed that he uses different oarlocks from the rest of the field.  They’re made by Magik Rowing and are designed to increase the ‘grip’ on the water compared to a normal gate.

Ondreij Synek sculling champion

Magik Oarlocks reduce slip in the water

When you put your oar into the water, during the time it takes to get below the water surface (covered) the curved face of the blade spoon engages with the water block so that you can lever your power work effort against the water and move your boat.  There’s a delay between the blade coverage and full engagement (grip) with the water.  This is called ‘slip’ and is the process whereby the spoon starts to move sternwards, the water resists the movement, the athlete begins the power press with the legs and the sleeve on the oar or scull locks against the vertical pin on the rigger.

Sounds complex – well there are quite a few moving parts in a rowing boat.

The oarlock (gate) is mounted on the pin at the extreme outer edge of the rigger.  Your oar sleeve is inside the pin and the button prevents it slipping through the oarlock.  But inside the space of the oarlock and the oar sleeve there is a little room for movement or “play” between the oar and the gate.  This is one component to the delay between placing the oar under the water and the engagement or grip with the water at the spoon.

Magik Gates include a tensioned swing arm INSIDE the oarlock inner space which push the sleeve back against the pin and so reduce the play and speed up the grip on the water.

Take a look at the diagram below which shows the elastic band creating the tension and the swing arm inside the oarlock pushing against the sleeve.

Buy Magik Oarlocks in the Rowperfect shop

Magik Oarlocks use standard pitching inserts (bushes)

Tension arm movement diagram “shock absorbing system”

Sweep (rowing) oarlock on left and sculling on right.

Diagram showing oar sleeve in closed and open Magik Oarlock

Magik Oarlock closure lock detail