{{Short description|Manufacturer of racing rowing shells}}
{{coord|42.986950|-81.243177|display=title}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}} {{Infobox company | name = Fluidesign | logo = Fluidesign logo.png | logo_size = 150px | trade_name = Fluidesign Inc. | native_name = | native_name_lang = | romanized = | type = Private | industry = Boat manufacturing | founded = London, Ontario, Canada<br />(1999) | founder = Gordon Henry | hq_location_city = London, Ontario | hq_location_country = Canada | area_served = Worldwide | key_people = Gordon Henry, Sam Roberts (CEO) | products = Racing rowing shells | website = {{URL|www.rowfluidesign.com}} | image = Fluidesign headquarters building at 1020 Elias Street, London, Ontario (May 2023).jpg | image_size = 300px | image_alt = Fluidesign main office | image_caption = The main office and manufacturing facility of Fluidesign Inc., a Canadian rowing shell manufacturer, located at 1020 Elias Street in London, Ontario }}
'''Fluidesign''' is a Canadian manufacturer of racing rowing shells headquartered in London, Ontario.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://app.dealroom.co/companies/fluidesign |title=Fluidesign – Company Information |publisher=Dealroom |access-date=12 April 2024}}</ref> Established in 1999 by former rower Gordon Henry, the company introduced shell designs influenced by aerodynamics and composite techniques from the aviation sector, including the use of carbon fibre. Its early models featured wing-shaped outriggers and colored carbon finishes that reduced the need for paint. Fluidesign produces a range of sculling and sweep boats, such as singles, doubles, pairs, and quads, which are used by rowing clubs, universities, and competitive athletes internationally.
== History ==
Fluidesign was established in 1999 by Gordon Henry, a former Hudson Boatworks salesman.<ref name="cbc" /><ref name="Gord Henry">{{cite magazine |author=Jeff Whiting |date=August 2015 |title=Against All Odds |url=https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ni5eitb996sanlycpi8lc/gord-henry.pdf?rlkey=8dwgj2ldt2o6tzg1ciqoqirdt&e=1&dl=0 |access-date=1 July 2025 |magazine=Rowing News |pages=38–47}}</ref> Henry left Hudson Boatworks in 1998 and soon after was approached by Diamond Aircraft for a collaborative project.<ref name="March 2006 Rowing News">{{cite magazine |author=Topher Bordeau |date=March 2006 |title=All In The Family: The Canadian Boatbuilding Family Tree |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AEsEAAAAMBAJ |access-date=1 July 2025 |magazine=Rowing News |pages=52, 54, 55}}</ref><ref name="FluidesignHistory"/>
This project utilized expertise from the aviation industry, particularly in aerodynamics and the application of carbon fiber, to innovate in the design of rowing shells.<ref name="FluidesignHistory">{{Cite web |url=https://www.rowfluidesign.com/history |title=History of Fluidesign |author = Fluidesign |date= December 2023 |website=rowfluidesign.com |access-date=28 January 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Chip |date=23 November 1998 |orig-date=1998-11-23 |title=Fluidesign |work=The London Free Press}}</ref>
The initial Fluidesign models featured distinctive wing-like outriggers, a design choice influenced by the aerodynamic principles used in Diamond aircraft.<ref name="FluidesignHistory" />
In January 2000, Henry began selling Fluidesign racing shells and subsequently gained full control of the company by purchasing his business partner's shares.<ref name="March 2006 Rowing News"/>
In 2016, the company relocated to its current premises on Elias Street in London, Ontario, from its previous location at 175 Exeter Road, London, Ontario.<ref name="FluidesignHistory"/><ref name="The Rower's Almanac">{{cite magazine | magazine = The Rower's Almanac 2002 | title = International Business Listing | date = 2000 | pages = 374 | isbn = 978-0-9651327-4-9 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=0O2m_2FJHrcC&dq=fluidesign&pg=PA374 | access-date = 28 January 2024 }}</ref> == Rowing shell design ==
Fluidesign's rowing shells are recognized for their colored carbon fiber construction, a choice made to eliminate the need for paint and thereby reduce the overall weight of the boats.<ref name="New Boats">{{cite magazine | magazine = Rowing News | title = Strength in Numbers – New Boat Builders Respond to Growing Market | author = Caroline Grogan | date = 28 November 2000 | pages = 25–26 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=GU0EAAAAMBAJ&dq=fluidesign&pg=PA26 | access-date = 28 January 2024 }}</ref><ref name="cbc">{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/rowing-olympics-p-e-i-builder-gord-henry-london-1.3717728|title=Former Olympic rower from P.E.I. now leading boat builder for sport|work=CBC News|date=12 August 2016|accessdate=12 April 2024}}</ref> Fluidesign's range of boats includes singles, doubles and pairs, and coxed and coxless quads.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://exrgame.com/blog/fluidesign-ceo-sam-roberts |title=Fluidesign's Innovative Boat Design |access-date=26 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nationalschoolsregatta.co.uk/row-show-2023 |title=Elite racing shells from Fluidesign at the Row Show 2023 |access-date=12 April 2024}}</ref>
{{Multiple image | direction = vertical | align = right | width = 300 | image1 = Jess Eddie and Katie Greves training in a Fluidesign double from above - Oxford University Boat Club - June 2021.png | image2 = Fluidesign Quad Rowing Team At Dawn.jpg | footer = Comparison between a Fluidesign double scull and a coxless quad scull. }}
== Types of boats == Fluidesign builds rowing shells using carbon-fibre composites with clear finishes to reduce weight. They currently offer: * '''Single Sculls''' (1X) – Available in FluidMax and Elite variants * '''Double Sculls / Coxless Pairs''' (2X / 2‑) – Offered as FluidMax and Elite models * '''Coxed Four''' / '''Coxed Quad''' (4+ / 4X+) * '''Coxless Four''' / '''Coxless Quad''' (4‑ / 4X)
== Athletes rowing in Fluidesign shells ==
<gallery mode="traditional" heights="200px" widths="200px"> File:Colin Barratt racing a Fluidesign double at the 2025 British Rowing Masters Championships.jpg|Colin Barratt at the 2025 British Rowing Masters Championships File:Georgina Brayshaw trialling a Fluidesign single scull at Redgrave Pinsent Rowing Lake 2023.jpg|Georgina Brayshaw taking delivery of a new boat at the Redgrave Pinsent Rowing Lake in 2023 File:Peter Haining testing a Fluidesign boat in Putney, London, September 2020.jpg|Peter Haining in September 2020 in Putney, London File:Jess Eddie and Katie Greves rowing a Fluidesign double - Oxford University Boat Club - June 2021 (cropped).jpg|Jess Eddie (stroke) and Katie Greves (bow) at Oxford University Boat Club in June 2021. File:Solveig Imsdahl and Elaine Tierney Competing at Henley Women’s Regatta 2024.jpg|Solveig Imsdahl (stroke) and Elaine Tierney (bow) racing at the Henley Women's Regatta in June 2024. </gallery>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Canada-company-stub}}{{Rowing-stub}} Category:Canadian boat builders Category:Rowing equipment manufacturers Category:Companies established in 1999 Category:Canadian brands