Flex-Collar

The Flex-Collar adjusts the heaviness of the oars in a boat without affecting anything else.
It is possible to vary the feel of the oars either way, lighter or heavier, according to the conditions with minimum effort by a single hand movement. 

Advantages of the Flex-Collar

• When the wind is against, you can quickly adjust the Flex-Collar to lighten the feel of the oars, which will prevent the so called “rut” and enables you to maintain a steady rhythm and length of stroke. This is very important in a team, as you would normally have to shorten your stroke when getting tired. With the Flex-Collar you can achieve team equality even in strong headwinds.
  
• When the wind is behind, you can adjust the oars to feel heavier, which allows you to keep pressure on the blade. (This is not possible with a “front collar” clamp). The Flex-Collar does away with the feeling you get of rowing in thin water with too lightly adjusted oars.
  
• With team rowing each person can adjust the Flex-Collar to achieve a fairly accurate group force level, especially with different water conditions. Even with a rower’s tiredness or an off day the Flex-Collar will allow adjustment for the individual to compensate and maintain a good rhythm.
  The Flex-Collar has 3 positions, so there is enough variation to suit most crews. It is normal to adjust individual settings before starting according to each rower’s own experience, especially if it is a long row or a competition. 

How does it work?

The yellow ring rotates and has 3 positions. Middle neutral. Rotate and click counterclockwise for a lighter setting. Rotate and click clockwise for a heavier setting.
Note: do the same with both oars. 

Dimensions and weight

The Flex Collar is lightweight and does not affect tempo as it is next to the rowlock and there is little movement. The Flexcollar fits both on the Braca and Concept sleeves 

Mounting

Assembly is easy. Measure the inboard length (B) of the oars with the conventional collar. That’s from the outside of the collar which is against the rowlock to the end of the grip. This is normally about 89 cm. Then remove the conventional collar.
In the neutral middle position the total length of the Flex Collar is (10 cm). Mount the inner sleeve (which is on the handle side) of the two halves of the blue Flex ring at B – 10 cm when the Flex Collar is set to neutral. Then fixing the orange ring at B, which fixes the inboard length of the oar. Or: Measure the oar inboard length you need, for instance 89 cm and mount the blue ring at 10 cm less, 79 cm. 

Handy tip: For repeated fitting, make a mark on the sleeve where the conventional collar sits and mark 10 cm further inboard.