Craft for water sports

Abstract

A water craft having a support arranged to float on water with a central axis arranged to lie generally perpendicular to the surface of the water. The support has a number of rowing positions arranged around the axis at or near the periphery of the support. Rowers in the rowing positions propel the craft around the central axis using oars. The craft is useful for training oarsmen.

1 . A water craft comprising a support arranged to float on water and having a central axis arranged to lie generally perpendicular to the surface of the water when the support is floating on the water, and including a number of rowing positions arranged around the axis at or near the periphery of the support, such that rowers in the rowing positions propel the craft around the central axis.  
     
     
         2 . The water craft of  claim 1 , in which the support is in the form of a ring for supporting the rowing positions.  
     
     
         3 . The water craft of  claim 2 , in which radial retaining arms are provided to connect the ring to a central ring  
     
     
         4 . The water craft of  claim 3 , in which the radial retaining arms are rigid.  
     
     
         5 . The water craft of  claim 3 , in which the radial retaining arms are formed from a flexible material.  
     
     
         6 . The water craft of  claim 5 , in which the radial retaining arms are selected from the group consisting of ropes and wires.  
     
     
         7 . The water craft of  claim 2 , in which the ring is toroidal in shape.  
     
     
         8 . The water craft of  claim 1 , in which the support is in the form of a platform.  
     
     
         9 . The water craft of  claim 8 , in which the platform has a generally circular shape.  
     
     
         10 . The water craft of  claim 8 , in which the platform is formed in a number of parts including a lower part arranged to float on the water, and an upper part on which the rowing positions are located.  
     
     
         11 . The water craft of  claim 10 , in which the parts are formed using a composite material.  
     
     
         12 . The water craft of  claim 11 , in which the composite material is glass reinforced polyester.  
     
     
         13 . The water craft of  claim 1 , in which the support includes at least one hollow portion for increasing the buoyancy of the craft.  
     
     
         14 . The water craft of  claim 1 , in which the buoyancy of the craft is adjustable.  
     
     
         15 . The water craft of  claim 14 , in which the buoyancy of the craft is adjusted by providing a void on the underside of the craft to trap air under the craft, and including an opening through which the volume of air in the void may be adjusted.  
     
     
         16 . The water craft of  claim 15 , in which the opening may be selectively opened, and is formed from one of the group consisting of a bung, a cap and a valve.  
     
     
         17 . The water craft of  claim 15 , in which the buoyancy may be increased by adding air or other gas to the void.  
     
     
         18 . The water craft of  claim 17 , in which air or other gas is added to the void using a compressor.  
     
     
         19 . The water craft of  claim 18 , in which air or other gas is added to the void using a battery powered compressor,  
     
     
         20 . The water craft of  claim 17 , in which air or other gas is added to the void using a source of compressed gas.  
     
     
         21 . The water craft of  claim 1 , the craft being formed from polyethylene.  
     
     
         22 . The water craft of  claim 1 , including a desired number of rowing positions.  
     
     
         23 . The water craft of  claim 22 , including four rowing positions.  
     
     
         24 . The water craft of  claim 1 , in which the rowers' positions are adjustable to allow each of the rowers to reverse their position.  
     
     
         25 . The water craft of  claim 1 , in which radial restraints are provided between the centre of the craft and each of the rowers to prevent the rowers being forced outwardly due to circumferential forces during use.  
     
     
         26 . The water craft of  claim 1 , in which the craft has an overall diameter of around 3 m.  
     
     
         27 . The water craft of  claim 1 , in which the support is formed as a single hollow component by rotational moulding.  
     
     
         28 . A method of training for a paddle propelled event such as canoeing, rowing or dragon boating comprising floating a water craft including a support on the surface of a body of water, the support having a central axis arranged to lie generally perpendicular to the surface of the water, the support including a number of rowing positions arranged around the axis at or near the periphery of the support, providing rowers in some or all of the rowing positions, each of the rowers having an oar, the rowers rowing with the oars to propel the craft around the central axis.