How to Row a River Raft

After some practice, the basic rowing techniques can become second nature, and a single rower can navigate a raft down a river.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• River Raft First Aid Kits
• Life Vests
• River Raft Oars
• River Raft Paddles
• River Raft Repair Kits
• River Rafts

1. Sit facing upriver with your back to the bow.

2. Situate yourself comfortably between the oars.

3. Hold the handles with your wrists dropped low and raise the oars just above the surface of the water.

4. Lean forward from your hips while straightening out your arms. Keep your back flat and your gaze level.

5. Straighten your wrists and lower the oar blades into the water.

6. Hold the blades of the oars vertical in the water and drive from the legs to raise your body from the leaning position to a vertical position, pulling the oars through the water.

7. Keep your back and arms straight throughout the pulling motion until the end of the stroke.

8. Bend your elbows and drop your wrists to raise the oars out of the water.

9. Allow the blades to glide out of the water at the end of each stroke, and then lean forward and dip them back into the water.

10. Use a single oar to pivot stroke and change the bearing of the raft. Pull the right oar to move the bow right, and push it to move left. Pull the left oar to move the bow left, and push it to move right. Use both for faster turns.

Tips & Warnings

• Reverse the dipping and raising of the oars to paddle while facing downriver. This method is more difficult but is sometimes necessary for navigation. Practice paddling both ways.
• Always wear a life vest when river rafting.
• River rafting is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.

Who Can Help:

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on 11/22/2005 Don't dip your oar in the water on the downstream side of your raft (going sideways). If your oar hits a rock, it will come back at you and could hurt you or someone else.