You don't have to know rocket science to row a boat, but it helps to have gear made by a company who does. Cataract shafts are made with the same filament wound glass/carbon/epoxy composite technology used by the aerospace industry. These oars perform like no others, translating muscle energy into stroke power more effectively than other oars, giving you the ultimate in oar responsiveness. The SGG oar shaft flexes and rebounds like wood without the weight or need for maintenance. They are ideal for most water conditions and boat sizes. Shafts and blades are interchangeable with Carlisle models.