Get in and out of a rowing boat safely: scull order, foot position, common mistakes and what really helps in a capsize and cold water.
When getting in, the land-side scull goes into the boat first as a support, the water-side foot stands unloaded on the footboard, and the water-side hand holds both scull handles together [1][2]. Only then do you shift your weight, bring the other foot from the dock into the boat and sit down on the sliding seat [1]. Getting out follows in reverse order. The most important thing: do not rush, do not go alone, do not go without a plan for the water.
Why so much effort for two steps? Because this is exactly where many capsizes happen. British Rowing warns that boats often capsize when getting in and out, even crew boats, because no one is holding the rigger [3]. The boat is narrow, round and slippery — it does not forgive weight in the wrong place.
And it is about more than wet feet. Anyone who falls unexpectedly into cold water first experiences cold shock: it sets in within seconds, before core temperature falls, and can be fatal through inhaling water, cardiac arrhythmia or reduced blood flow to the brain [5]. A good entry is therefore safety training, not formalism. This guide applies to rowing in a boat, not to the ergometer — there is no water, no dock and no rigger to hold.
The boat lies parallel to the dock. After closing the air compartments and opening the land-side gate, you insert the land-side scull first — it stabilises the boat at the dock [2]. The gates point towards the stern, the blade curve upwards [2].
Milestone (practice standard): you can explain without help which scull goes in first and why.
The water-side hand takes both scull handles so that only the handle ends touch (hinge grip) [2]. According to a club script, this grip is even manageable for children's hands [2].
Milestone: you hold both handles securely in one hand without a blade tipping away.
The water-side foot goes onto the boarding step — still unloaded [1]. The sliding seat sits behind your heel [2]. The land-side hand grips the dock [2].
Milestone: you stand securely and the boat hardly moves.
Now you bring the other foot from the dock into the boat onto the foot stretcher and sit down on the sliding seat [1]. Your weight belongs in the middle — never outward.
Milestone: you sit without the blades dipping into the water or the boat rocking.
With the land-side foot you push off from the dock, while the land-side hand holds the rigger or gunwale [2]. Afterwards the blades lie flat on the water.
Milestone: you leave the dock calmly and the boat stays level.
Before getting out, you open the water-side gate and take the water-side scull handles [1]. The water-side foot goes on the footboard, then you stand up, put the dock-side foot on the dock first and pull the water-side sculls flat out of the gate at the same time [1].
Milestone: you get out without tipping the boat and without a blade dropping into the water.
If you fall in anyway, this order helps you. Breathing first: cold shock triggers uncontrolled gasps; if your head is under water, you inhale water [3]. Keep your head above water, stay calm and get your breathing under control [3]. After the first phase comes "swimming failure": the muscles cool, even at almost normal body temperature [5].
Stay with the boat. It carries you and is your life raft [3]. If possible, climb on top so that as much of your body as possible is out of the water [4]. The bank is always further away than you think [4]. Two rowers died at 4 to 5 degrees after trying to swim to shore, although all five had passed a swim test [4]. In Britain, only two rowers died after a capsize this century up to 2021; both were competent swimmers and swam away from the boat [4].
This guide explains and motivates; it does not replace supervised training. Have instructors show you getting in, getting out and the right behaviour in a capsize — and never train alone.
Your most important skill in the water is not swimming but floating. According to British Rowing, rowers do not necessarily have to be able to swim, but they must be able to stay calm and keep afloat, ideally holding on to the boat [4]. Practise this under supervision: ask your club about capsize training in a warm, shallow pool or a safe stretch of water. Anyone who has once felt what water is like when the boat no longer carries you gets in more deliberately afterwards.
First insert the land-side scull and take the sculls' handles together in the water-side hand. Then put the water-side foot unloaded on the footboard, bring the other foot into the boat onto the foot stretcher and sit down [1][2]. The first time, only with help at the dock.
Because the boat is narrow and round and weight lands in the wrong place when you get in. British Rowing names as a reason that nobody holds the rigger [3]. Help at the dock and a wider training boat lower the risk.
Keep your head above water, stay calm, control your breathing and stay with the boat [3][4]. If possible climb onto the boat and call for help. Do not start swimming: the bank is further than you think [4].
British Rowing says: not necessarily, but you must be able to stay calm and keep afloat, ideally at the boat [4]. If you feel unsure, wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid [4].
No. Getting in, getting out, capsizing and cold apply only to the boat on the water. On the ergometer you sit firmly on the machine; those risks do not exist there.
Turning a Rowing Boat on the Spot: The Wende