Forward-facing rowing for canoes and rowboats
Forward-facing hands-free rowing.
Hi. I'm Ron Rantilla, inventor of the FrontRower™ forward-facing rowing system.
The FrontRower™ gives you the same full-body power and exercise quality as conventional rear-facing sliding-seat rowing—but without the need to twist around to see where you are going.
And it gives you the option of rowing with just your feet. This is a very special feature, and is a game changer for most people who try it. It frees your hands for doing other things—like taking pictures, using binoculars, or making yourself a snack while rowing with your feet.
You can row at a comfortable cruising speed using either your hands or your feet. For more power you can use your hands and feet combined. This variety of strokes is great for changing out your muscles on a long trip. It also accommodates many physical disabilities (see adaptive rowing).
I invented the system as a better way to propel my canoe on solo canoe-camping trips in the islands off the coast of Maine.
Paddling can be a good way to propel a canoe if there are two people paddling. Or for one person in calm waters sheltered from wind. The problem is when the wind comes up. Wind tends to turn a canoe broadside to the wind, and if the wind is strong, it takes a lot of turning force to overcome this effect. A single hand-held paddle would not give me enough turning force to safely handle my canoe in the strong winds I sometimes encountered between the islands. On one occasion, I was stranded on an island for three days waiting for the wind to die down. After that experience I began thinking about a better way of powering my canoe.
Rowing gives you more power and turning force than paddling. But the rear facing position of conventional rowing makes it impractical for solo navigation in unfamiliar waters.
Forward facing rowing systems known as "bow facing oars" have been around since the 1800's. They were a modification to the conventional "oarlock-on gunwale" rowing system used on the rowboats of that period. They cut the standard oars in half at the oarlock, replaced the oarlock with a direction reversing mechanism, and stuck the cut off ends into the mechanism. With this arrangement they could face the bow and travel forward while pulling on the oar handles. This solved the problem of going backward in old fashioned rowboats.
But that was not my problem. I was already going forward. My problem was not having enough power and control for adverse conditions. And I was using a light weight relatively narrow-beamed canoe, not a heavy broad-beamed traditional rowboat. I needed a different system.
The system I came up with solved my problem very well—it gave me a lot more power and control than a hand-held paddle. But an early step in the development of this system (placing the oarlocks on a pedestal in the middle of the boat) was a radical departure from traditional rowing. And this allowed me to look at rowing differently, which allowed me to consider features that are not a part of traditional rowing.
It has become the system of choice for long distance voyaging, high quality exercise, and special interests such as birding and photography.
The FrontRower™ gives you the same full-body power and exercise quality as conventional rear-facing sliding-seat rowing—but without the need to twist around to see where you are going.
And it gives you the option of rowing with just your feet. This is a very special feature, and is a game changer for most people who try it. It frees your hands for doing other things—like taking pictures, using binoculars, or making yourself a snack while rowing with your feet.
You can row at a comfortable cruising speed using either your hands or your feet. For more power you can use your hands and feet combined. This variety of strokes is great for changing out your muscles on a long trip. It also accommodates many physical disabilities (see adaptive rowing).
I invented the system as a better way to propel my canoe on solo canoe-camping trips in the islands off the coast of Maine.
Paddling can be a good way to propel a canoe if there are two people paddling. Or for one person in calm waters sheltered from wind. The problem is when the wind comes up. Wind tends to turn a canoe broadside to the wind, and if the wind is strong, it takes a lot of turning force to overcome this effect. A single hand-held paddle would not give me enough turning force to safely handle my canoe in the strong winds I sometimes encountered between the islands. On one occasion, I was stranded on an island for three days waiting for the wind to die down. After that experience I began thinking about a better way of powering my canoe.
Rowing gives you more power and turning force than paddling. But the rear facing position of conventional rowing makes it impractical for solo navigation in unfamiliar waters.
Forward facing rowing systems known as "bow facing oars" have been around since the 1800's. They were a modification to the conventional "oarlock-on gunwale" rowing system used on the rowboats of that period. They cut the standard oars in half at the oarlock, replaced the oarlock with a direction reversing mechanism, and stuck the cut off ends into the mechanism. With this arrangement they could face the bow and travel forward while pulling on the oar handles. This solved the problem of going backward in old fashioned rowboats.
But that was not my problem. I was already going forward. My problem was not having enough power and control for adverse conditions. And I was using a light weight relatively narrow-beamed canoe, not a heavy broad-beamed traditional rowboat. I needed a different system.
The system I came up with solved my problem very well—it gave me a lot more power and control than a hand-held paddle. But an early step in the development of this system (placing the oarlocks on a pedestal in the middle of the boat) was a radical departure from traditional rowing. And this allowed me to look at rowing differently, which allowed me to consider features that are not a part of traditional rowing.
- Counterbalanced oars that automatically dip, lift, and return to the front as power is applied or removed.
- Automatic feathering (rotating the oar blades flat).
- Swiveling handles (for applying power and feathering without wrist rotation).
- Two independent moving pedals (rather than a sliding seat) for adding leg power to the stroke. This also allows hands-free operation of the oars (you steer by taking longer strokes on one side). And it allows you to add leg power without the energy wasting weight shifting of a sliding seat.
- A comfortable padded seat with a backrest.
It has become the system of choice for long distance voyaging, high quality exercise, and special interests such as birding and photography.
I consider myself a cross between an artist and an engineer. I enjoy hand-building these rigs using cherry hardwood, anodized aluminum and stainless steel. So far I have built more than 600 forward-facing rowing rigs for my friends and fans.
Most ordinary canoes make excellent rowboats, and that's what most of my customers are using—canoes they already own.
For those who want to build their own boat, I have have designed some wooden rowing boats specifically for use with the FrontRower™ forward facing rowing system. That's one of them (the Odyssey 165) in the photo above. For a while I was offering these designs as custom built boats, but now (at least during covid-19) I am offering them only as plans.
Check out the Slide Show to see some of the different boats FrontRower™ owners are using.
Most ordinary canoes make excellent rowboats, and that's what most of my customers are using—canoes they already own.
For those who want to build their own boat, I have have designed some wooden rowing boats specifically for use with the FrontRower™ forward facing rowing system. That's one of them (the Odyssey 165) in the photo above. For a while I was offering these designs as custom built boats, but now (at least during covid-19) I am offering them only as plans.
Check out the Slide Show to see some of the different boats FrontRower™ owners are using.
"It's a first-class rig, ingeniously put together, for serious rowers."
- WoodenBoat Magazine
- WoodenBoat Magazine
Where the FrontRower™ fits in
The organized sport of rowing
The Head of the Charles Regatta in Cambridge, Massachusetts typically has more than eleven thousand participants and a quarter of a million spectators lining the banks of the Charles River. This is what most people think of when you mention rowing—a highly competitive sport between elite athletes and requiring years of training. But this is not what the FrontRower™ is all about. It did not evolve out of this tradition and it violates just about every rule of competitive rowing.
Wilderness voyaging
The FrontRower™ evolved out of a different tradition. One of taking occasional breaks from everyday life to experience the refreshing qualities of nature. This involves slowing down and focusing on your surroundings. Taking a trip in a small human powered boat is good way of doing this. The FrontRower™ makes it easier for you to travel longer distances and get to more interesting places. And it makes it easier for you to focus on your natural surroundings.
“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” —John Muir.
The Head of the Charles Regatta in Cambridge, Massachusetts typically has more than eleven thousand participants and a quarter of a million spectators lining the banks of the Charles River. This is what most people think of when you mention rowing—a highly competitive sport between elite athletes and requiring years of training. But this is not what the FrontRower™ is all about. It did not evolve out of this tradition and it violates just about every rule of competitive rowing.
Wilderness voyaging
The FrontRower™ evolved out of a different tradition. One of taking occasional breaks from everyday life to experience the refreshing qualities of nature. This involves slowing down and focusing on your surroundings. Taking a trip in a small human powered boat is good way of doing this. The FrontRower™ makes it easier for you to travel longer distances and get to more interesting places. And it makes it easier for you to focus on your natural surroundings.
“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” —John Muir.
Daily exercise
The FrontRower™ gives you the same high quality low impact exercise as rear-facing sliding-seat rowing or indoor rowing on an erg. But it's easier to use, has a quick learning curve, and is more fun than rowing in a gym. And you don't need to be athletic to use it. At low intensity levels it is easier than walking. At higher intensity levels it can be vigorous exercise for cardio and interval training. The forward-facing position makes everything easier, safer and more enjoyable.
Photography and birding
The ability to handle photographic equipment or binoculars while rowing with your feet is a great feature for photographers and birders. And the forward-facing position lets you see wildlife before you scare it away.
Going fast
And for those for whom going fast is important it is nice to know that the FrontRower™ can outperform rear-facing sliding-seat rowing rigs in identical boats (see bragging rights).
The FrontRower™ gives you the same high quality low impact exercise as rear-facing sliding-seat rowing or indoor rowing on an erg. But it's easier to use, has a quick learning curve, and is more fun than rowing in a gym. And you don't need to be athletic to use it. At low intensity levels it is easier than walking. At higher intensity levels it can be vigorous exercise for cardio and interval training. The forward-facing position makes everything easier, safer and more enjoyable.
Photography and birding
The ability to handle photographic equipment or binoculars while rowing with your feet is a great feature for photographers and birders. And the forward-facing position lets you see wildlife before you scare it away.
Going fast
And for those for whom going fast is important it is nice to know that the FrontRower™ can outperform rear-facing sliding-seat rowing rigs in identical boats (see bragging rights).