Abstract: The invention is directed to a speed retarding system. The system has a housing with a chamber provided therein. A shaft receiving sleeve extends through the housing and the chamber. A wheel is provided in the chamber and extends from the shaft receiving sleeve to an outer circumferential wall of the housing. The wheel has a plurality of blades provided thereon, the blades extend from the shaft receiving sleeve toward the outer circumferential wall in a generally arcuate configuration. The arcuate configuration of the blades facilitate the pumping action of a liquid which flows through the wheel when the system is in a free moving state and enhances the retardation of movement of the wheel when the system is in a braking state. A ring is provided about an outer circumference of the wheel. The ring is integrally attached to the blades. Whereby as movement of liquid provided in the system is restricted, the relative positioning of blades is maintained by the ring even as heat is accumulated by the system.