What You Need to Know Before Getting in a Rowing Boat

Before getting in a rowing boat, you need to know four things: how to free your feet in a capsize, whether your club needs a swim test, how to dress for cold water, and where to step so the boat does not tip. Join a club or a learn-to-row course so you have a coach, a safe boat and a launch if needed. The rest is easy to pick up on the day.

Safety first

• Swimming. Most clubs ask for a basic level of swimming, and will tell you what they require. World Rowing’s minimum guidelines suggest a test of 50 metres in light clothing, plus treading water and being competent under water. Anyone who cannot meet that, for physical or other reasons, should wear an approved lifejacket or buoyancy aid in the boat. Say so if you are not a confident swimmer.
• Capsize drill. Ask when you will practise it. Know how to free your feet and stay with the boat. World Rowing’s advice is to stay with your boat rather than swim for the shore, because it is your life raft.
• Buoyancy aid. Ask whether you need one, and wear it if you do.
• Conditions. Your coach will check wind, water level and temperature.
• Rules of the water. Learn the traffic pattern and where to stay on your water. Your club will explain, and the rules differ between stretches of river.
• Health. If you have a medical condition, an injury or concerns about exercise, speak to your GP and tell your coach.

Cold water

Cold water is the hazard beginners underrate. World Rowing’s guidelines note that most experts define cold water as anything below 20°C, and that at 10°C or below clubs should consider special precautions. Sudden immersion can disrupt normal breathing and can leave even a strong swimmer unable to cope. Treat a spring river as cold water even on a warm day, and dress for the water temperature rather than the air.

Build up gradually

Rowing is physically demanding, and technique takes time. Start with short outings and build up gradually. Your legs, back and hands will need time to adapt, and sore hands and tired muscles are normal at first. Stop and tell your coach if you feel pain, dizziness or unwell.

A few sessions on the rowing machine let you learn the sequence of legs, body and arms before you go out. Two or three 10-minute blocks at an easy pace are plenty, and our rowing for beginners guide covers the basics.

What to wear and bring

Item	Why
Close-fitting, stretchy top and leggings	Baggy clothing catches in the slides and wheels
Thin layers, and a wind-proof outer	Layers work better than one warm garment
Cap or hat	Sun or cold, depending on the day
Bottle, towel, change of clothes	You may get wet, and you will want dry kit afterwards
Sun cream and sunglasses	The water reflects bright light

Tie back long hair and remove jewellery. See what kit to wear for rowing for more, and protecting yourself from the sun while rowing for bright days.

Equipment you can leave to the club

You do not need your own boat or oars. The club provides these, along with advice on rigging. If you want to buy kit later, see the essential rowing equipment for beginners.

Getting in and out

Boats are narrow and unstable, so follow the instructions you are given. A racing single can be less than 30 cm wide at the waterline, so a step in the wrong place will tip it. Typically:

1. Hold the dock and boat steady.
2. Step carefully on to the footplate centre, never on the hull.
3. Keep your weight low and central, and sit.
4. Put your feet into the shoes and fasten them.

Do not stand up in the boat. Getting out is the reverse: free your feet first, hold the boat steady and step out carefully. Never step on the hull or between the riggers.

Handling the boat ashore

Boats are light but delicate. A club eight weighs around 100 kg and a single around 16 kg, so an eight needs its whole crew and a single can be carried by two. Keep the hull level and use the proper commands your club teaches. Do not drag a boat. Look after oars too, and see how to clean your rowing oar.

What the first session will be like

Expect to learn how to handle and carry the boat, sit in it, hold the oar and take short strokes. Many beginners start on an erg or in a stable training boat, often with a coach alongside. You may row only in arms-only or half-slide stages before you take full strokes. That is normal. Falling behind the rhythm or catching a crab is common, and our guide to catching a crab shows what to do.

Etiquette and communication

Listen to the cox or coach, and follow the calls. In crew boats, say if something feels wrong, call “stop” if you are in trouble, and tell the cox about any pain or discomfort. Keep your eyes in the boat and let the cox or coach look out for hazards.

Questions to ask

• What is the capsize procedure?
• What are the boundaries and the rules on this water?
• Who is in the launch, and who do I tell if I am unwell?
• What do I do if the weather changes?
• What should I bring next time?

Nobody expects a beginner to be perfect. Listen, ask questions and take your time. The boats and kit hub has more on the boats themselves.