The 1950s and 1960s were a much different time for rowing. Boats transitioned from wood to carbon fibre or reinforced plastic, with the first fibreglass shell produced in 1961. Only a decade earlier in 1951, women’s events were added to the European Championships for the first time, and after three successful tests, became FISA recognised in 1954. Here however, we’re going to focus on something that’s became synonymous within the rowing community…
We’ve all seen the blades up hanging on the club walls or ceiling, with the details of winning crews at events, some recent and some old. These old blades are called ‘macons’ and were made popular in the 1960s. For about 30 years, they would be the most popular blade type – all big names like Sir Steve Redgrave used these blades in training and competition.
When the ‘Big Blade’ came out, most people flocked to them and changed their spoons to the more modern design. We now have a stunning selection of blade types from big spoons to little spoons, vortex edges, plain edges and foils, as well as a number of manufacturers to choose from. It’s no wonder that while there are clear favourites, you see such a large selection of blades at international competitions.
So why am I talking so much about blades? For those like me who love to watch all the international competitions, you no doubt would have noticed Aurelia-Maxima Katharina Janzen, the Swiss women’s single sculler. While a lot of the Swiss scullers have moved on to Concept2’s ‘Comp’ blades, Janzen seems to have moved backwards to the macons. Even Martin Cross commented on the blade’s unusual appearance in modern racing while commentating the World Rowing Cup I in 2023.
Despite her unique choice to race with them, Janzen found herself racing in the A-Final in the aforementioned World Cup – at only 19 years old! Coming in second place, a feat already huge at her age, there must be method to the madness.
Why is the blade shape so different?
All blades we see now have vastly different shapes to them. Some being straight and others bent, some being fat and short and others being tall but thin.
The is one thing that separates them all out from the macon blades is that they’re all asymmetrical, with most of the blade being below the shaft. Modern blades are a much more complex design. This trend was popularised with the ‘Big Blades’, which left the symmetrical design behind.
Macons meanwhile, employ a ‘tulip’ design: they are a less efficient design than the asymmetrical design of modern blades, and whilst handy for those who can’t remember their strokeside from their bow, their advantages end quite quickly after being able to be used on both sides interchangeably. Beyond being used for decoration, these blades generally only get sold to traditionalists today.
What does the science say?
Before you all skip over this part, hear me out. We don’t all need to know the engineering behind how blades work and the reasoning behind blade shapes, and perhaps only coaches can spend as much time considering power curves as they do, but we all care how our rowing feels. We all know Fat2 blades are heavy at the catch and fast at the finish, and at the other end of the spectrum the Smoothie2 spoons are lighter at the catch and slower at the finish.
Macon blades, however, are a level blade. They work best for rowers with a more of a front-loaded stroke, but prevent any sudden ‘die off’ during the stroke, meaning they don’t become suddenly heavy.
Those who row a more level or back ended stroke would do better with a Big Blade, for example, than the macon. On average, an athlete rowing a ‘modern’ stroke will be 2% faster with Big Blades than Macons.
Overall then, the science is clear – other blades are better, but not by loads – and certain individual rowers can find benefits with different combinations. Much like a lot in rowing, it comes down to personal preference.
Why does Janzen use them?
The women’s single A-Final at World Cup I is a great race – and one in which Janzen took silver with macon blades.
So what is it that makes macons so effective for Jansen? Did she find some new way of rowing or embark on a rigorous scientific journey? Actually, no, It’s quite a simple – and almost underwhelming – she just likes them!
She finds a better feel with them, and importantly is quickest with them. So why change what works, right? Ultimately it brings out the best in her, and much like choosing your boat, the equipment you use is just the means to get you from A to B as quickly as possible. As a junior World Champion and World Cup silver medalist, you can’t argue with Jansen or her results. They may not be everyone’s preferred choice, but as long as they’re her preferred choice, that’s all that matters.
In conclusion…
It’s interesting to see what will happen from here. As a dual citizen of Switzerland and Germany, Janzen doesn’t train with the Swiss national team, and even won German trials. If she were to join the national team, could we expect to see her keep those blades and even maybe get some of the fellow Swiss members to switch, or would she be forced to give up the tulip spoons?
Clearly a hugely impressive rower with an exciting future ahead of her, I have no doubt we will see her on the Olympic start line with macons in hand. It may well re-vitalise conversations across the community about how we view innovation in our sport.
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