Regardless of the angle the oar makes to the forward direction during a rowing stroke, there is negligible loss of energy between the oar and the gate. However, it does not follow from this that there is no decrease in oar efficiency at the extreme oar angles necessary for a very long catch. The loss of energy from the oar occurs, not at the gate, but at the blade. The water which is moved by the blade, against the water reaction force on the blade, absorbs mechanical energy from the oar. Calculations, experimental data and “on-water” measurements of rowing show that the energy efficiency of the oar is generally lowest for oar angles less than 55 degrees to the boat-forward direction (i.e. in the early part of the stroke)