Testing Expedition at Holyoke Rows

We, the Northampton High School InvenTeam, took a trip to Holyoke Rows to test our invention with a potential user. Jim Brooks has MS (Multiple Sclerosis) and cannot turn his left wrist. Even so, he still enjoys rowing. However, due to his condition, rowing is more difficult and dangerous for him because he is unable to feather. Our device is designed to allow Jim to feather and square the blade of the oar efficiently.

We tested on one side of the boat, and we are working on completing the other side. Testing was done on the inside of the dock, as the the other side was buffeted by whitecaps. Mr. Brooks approved of the design, saying that it worked better than he thought it would. Initially he, like many others, was skeptical, but on Saturday we turned skeptics into believers.