Patent ID: 8052493
Filing Date: 2011-11-08
Classification: B63H

Abstract:
1. A method of using a rowing oar handle in competitive rowing to feather a blade, the method comprising the steps of: providing a rowing oar having a blade, shank, and a handle, in which when the handle is orientated for a stroke the handle has an axial cross-sectional shape having a top upper surface, an underside, the handle having a first portion proximal to a user and a second portion distal to the user, the handle having a first hand grip portion and a first flange at a first hand grip inner edge, the first hand grip adapted to be gripped by the user's first hand, the handle having a second hand grip portion adapted to be gripped by the user's second hand, which the first hand grip portion is freely rotatable during rowing in relation to the second hand grip portion such that a point of rotation is located at the first hand grip inner edge, which is also between the regular positions of the user's two hands on the handle, and in which the second hand grip portion is adapted to be non-rotatable in relation to an associated rowing oar blade, such that rotation of the second hand grip portion in use rotates the associated rowing oar blade for a purpose of feathering the blade; gripping the handle with a hand-grip orientation comprising placing the first hand on a first side of the point of rotation and the second hand on a second side of the point of rotation, and with both hands arranged with a thumb of each hand on an underside of the handle and fingers of each hand over the top upper surface of the handle and wrapped therearound; pulling repetitive strokes with said hand-grip orientation on the handle with the first portion proximal to the user and the second portion distal to the user, and with both hands arranged with their thumbs on the underside of the handle and their fingers over the top upper surface of the handle and wrapped therearound; and rotating the second hand grip portion of the handle through substantially 90 degrees between each stroke for a purpose of feathering the associated rowing oar blade while not rotating the first hand grip portion.