Blades of “Steel” - Carbon Fiber Rowing Oars

With more than 500 athletes racing down the course with precision during the 2012 Olympic Rowing Competition, each stroke of the carbon fiber oars are vital as the boats soar significant distances to the finish line.
Introduced in 1976, carbon fiber oars have significantly enhanced the sport of rowing. These oars enable crews to push their boats to faster speeds and to perform with extreme precision. Originally, crews used wooden oars that were bulky, stiff, and heavy (weighing 14 kilograms). Carbon fiber oars are lightweight (only weighing 5 kilograms) and can be tailored to athlete's specific needs.

Carbon fiber blades are produced by compression molding, which utilizes extreme heat and pressure to generate high-strength objects. First a fabrication of carbon fiber, pre-impregnated fiberglass and syntactic foam are poured into a heated compression mold (like a giant waffle iron). Then the mold is closed with nearly 6,350 kilograms of force. Once the blade has cooled, it is trimmed, painted with a design, and finished with coat of epoxy. Finally, the blade is tested for strength, flexibility, and durability to ensure maximum power and precision on race day.