How to row
- 1Meet Safety Afloat first — swim test done, life jacket on and fitted, trained supervision, weather and gear checked.
- 2Set up the boat — oars in the oarlocks, seated facing the stern, feet braced, load trimmed level.
- 3Learn the stroke — catch, drive (legs first), release, recovery; keep the blades square in the water and level on the recovery.
- 4Feather in wind — turn the blades parallel to the water on the recovery to cut wind and drag.
- 5Steer by looking back — glance over your shoulder regularly since you face backward; pull harder on one oar to turn.
- 6Practice the rescue tow — row to a swimmer, pivot so they hold the stern, and tow them in (don't let them climb in over the side).
- 7Respect wind and waves — head in early in strong wind or heavy waves; know rough-water handling before you need it.
When to use it
- Flatwater rowing, fishing boats, and the Rowing merit badge.
- Waterfront rescue — the rowboat is the "row" option in reach-throw-row-go.
- Building boat-handling and teamwork (single or double rowing).
Common mistakes & safety
- All of Safety Afloat applies — no exceptions. Swim test, USCG-approved life jacket worn by everyone, trained supervision, weather check, seaworthy craft.
- Everyone wears a properly fitted life jacket — non-negotiable.
- Strong wind and heavy waves are the main danger. A rowboat is hard to control in wind and can swamp in waves — head in early and know rough-water handling.
- In a rescue tow, keep the swimmer at the stern. Never let a panicking swimmer climb in over the side (it can capsize the boat) — they hold the stern and you tow.
- Expect to capsize and stay with the boat. A swamped boat still floats — know self-rescue.
- Watch the weather — get off the water for storms or lightning.
Going deeper
- You row facing backward. You look where you've been and glance over your shoulder to steer — plan your line before you start pulling.
- Feathering is a wind trick. Turning the blade flat on the recovery keeps the wind from catching it — small effort, big difference on a breezy lake.
- Rowboats rescue. The "R" in reach-throw-row-go — a rowboat lets you reach a swimmer too far to throw to, without swimming.
Official source
Rowing merit badge — Scouting America →Requirement wording is Scouting America's — described in our own words. Rowing operates under Safety Afloat.