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German designer helps China row to the world

By Huang Shan: 0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, November 28, 2015

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Klaus Filter has established a research and development team which has inherited his design principles. [Photo by Huang Shan/China.org.cn]

Klaus Filter's connection with China started with a dispute some 20 years ago. In September 1994, some European companies complained to him during the World Rowing Championships in Indianapolis, United States, that a Chinese rowing shell maker had copied their designs. Though Filter was impressed by the Chinese boat builder's craftsmanship, as head of the Materials Commission of the International Rowing Federation (FISA), he found the Chinese builder XiongZhangyou and told him the European builders' concerns.

"He told me honestly that 'we have no experience and can only make copies,'" recalled Filter on Nov. 17, 2015, in Fuyang, Zhejiang Province of east China. At that time, the FISA was trying to bring lightweight rowing into the Olympic Games, which was aimed at encouraging more people, especially those with no physical advantages to participate in the sport. Filter, a renowned shell designer and naval architect, had finished the designs for the light boats and he saw an opportunity for Xiong to step in.

"Why don't you come to China to help me?" Xiong said jokingly. To his surprise, Filter brought his design to Xiong's factory one year later and worked there for one week. He started with the most basic technique – how to make molds.

The cooperation between Filter and Xiong went on because the Chinese builder seemed to be the only one willing to work with FISA to promote high quality equipment at affordable prices. Rowing boats were too expensive for most developing countries and the sport was dominated by European countries and the United States. Xiong offered to donate used molds for less developed countries to repay Filter's generous help.

In 2000, Filter retired from FISA and was named chief designer of Xiong's company. Sino Eagle Group, starting from a workshop in east China with a mere 10 workers in 1985, has become world's biggest rowing boat builder.In the early days, Filter had to work 16 hours a day and his enthusiasm and scrupulousness won the respect of Chinese co-workers.

"Rowing is my hobby," said Filter, 82, adding that he never gets tired in promoting the sport and it is his duty to help boat builders worldwide to make affordable equipment.

In 2003, Filter's efforts to promote rowing made further progress. The adaptive boats developed by Filter and Sino Eagle for rowers with physical disabilities debuted in World Rowing Championships in Munich, Germany, and have become the FISA standard for Paralympic rowing events. Sino Eagle has since then become the official suppliers for four consecutive Olympic Games from 2004 with its WinTech products.

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