FAQ- Self Regulating Resistance

How does it work?

When an oarsperson rows their boat down the river the work they produces acts to overcome the fluid resistance (drag) acting on the boat. The more work they produce, the more drag can be overcome, and the faster the boat will move.

The WaterRower's patented WaterFlywheel emulates these same natural dynamics of a boat moving down the river. The more work you do, then more fluid resistance can be overcome and the faster the WaterFlywheel will move.

The resistance in rowing (Fw) is defined as the force working against the flow of the moving boat.

Similarly, power (Pw) is defined by the amount of power working against the flow.

Rw = Resistance (force) required to move boat through the water

Pw = Power required to move boat through the water

Water resistance is dependent on:

v = Velocity at which the boat moves thru water (or water moves past the boat)

cw = coefficient of the water

A = The area of contact of the water with the boat

r  =  the density of the water

With these factors, the following principle holds:

Fw= ½ . A . cw . r . v², and

Pw= ½ . A . cw . r . v³

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