USRowing, the governing body of rowing in the sport, has come to terms on a new equipment and sponsorship deal with Concept II, the manufacturer of oars and rowing ergometers. Under the terms of the deal, ergs supplied to the National Team training centers in Princeton and San Diego would come equipped with a mechanism that shuts the erg off every 2500m, at which time the user could reactivate it by depositing 4 quarters.
"It's an ideal situation for us, because we feel that we can derive a great deal of revenue from those who do a lot of rowing," said a USRowing spokesperson. "If you row more, you should pay more."
The USRowing designee for rolling the little coin-collection cart around the erg room at Princeton had not been determined as we went to press.