How to Row a Boat

Whether you have a wooden or inflatable row boat, the basic technique is the same.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rowboat
• 2 Oars

1. Sit in the row boat facing the back, or stern of the boat. You should be sitting with the oar locks about where your knees are. Some fancy rowing shells will have sliding seats.

2. Make sure the oars are in the oar locks. The oar locks are the points the oars pivot around.

3. Grip the ends of the oars, and adjust them so the ends come to the middle of the boat with a little gap between. The blades should be perpendicular to the water.

4. Lean forward to move the blades of the oars behind you. During this move, hold the handles down to keep the blades out of the water.

5. Lift up to put the blades in the water, and in the same motion, pull back. Lean your whole back into it. Wedge your feet against something if you can. If your seat slides, straighten your legs to lengthen and strengthen your rowing stroke.

6. When you've pulled as far as you can go, push down to lift the blades out of the water.

7. Go back to step four and repeat until you get where you're going. Keep moving the oar handles in an smooth oval motion.

8. To turn to the boats right (starboard), and your left as you face backwards, only row with the right oar.

9. To go to the boats left (port), and your right as you face backwards, row with only the left oar.

10. 

    When you stop, put the oars like this.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to go just a little faster you can get fancy and twist the oars to flatten the blades so they catch less wind. This can be hard on your wrists though, so don't over do it.
• On some high end rowing shells, you just touch the surface water with the oars on the return to prevent the boat tipping over. On most row boats, you don't touch the water with the oars.
• When in a crowded or narrow area, it's fine to face the way you're going. It won't be as efficient, by you'll be less likely to hit things.
• Some east Asian boats are rowed facing forward while standing. The position is different, but the concept is the same.
• Wear a life jacket.
• Don't let go of the oars with the blades in the water. You could loose an oar this way.

[rickumali]

on 7/31/2009 I wish I had read this before a recent vacation I took! In the end, rowing felt somewhat natural, but it takes a little time to get used to the motion. My own first time rowing is on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TI9ldA1qY7Q

[starlet67]

on 5/30/2009 Great tips and warnings for rowing a boat!5*