Marine

Walking on water, Nordic-style

Walking on water, Nordic-style
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April 4, 2007 Four Architecture students from the Univerity of Munich have come up with a device that combines a gondola with an elliptical trainer to produce a unique sensation of "walking on water." The bizarre "TU-Fin" concept is the brainchild of designers I.Kiryakov, S.Ballmeier, K.Eichelberg & M.Dressler, and is essentially a racing canoe hull with an elliptical exercise machine mounted to it. Exercising on the machine powers a pair of rear-mounted flippers that propel the craft forward to an estimated 6.5 knots. Unlike a rowing action, the user is able to look forwards as they go.

Elliptical trainers, or Nordic Walkers, are popular as they provide a "no impact" exercise; however, as it's not clear how a rider might steer the TU-Fin, "no impact" may not be the most accurate description.

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2 comments
2 comments
Peter Pollard
As with oars, I\'m sure that you would just pull on one side to operate one flipper to steer it. Seems easier to handle than oars and you can watch where you are going. Great idea but I can\'t see a forward facing seat.
agulesin
just try leaning to one side to steer... ooops, not that much!!! :-))