Turn a rowing boat on the spot: the Wende step by step with backing and forward sides, current, typical mistakes and safety on the water.
In the turn you rotate the boat on the spot: you first row backward on one side and carry the other blade over the water while sliding forward. Then you row forward from the catch position with that blade, while the blade you used first is carried over the water [1]. In a crew boat the cox announces it: "Wende über Backbord (Steuerbord) – los!" (turn via port/starboard – go) [1].
The honest answer to why beginners struggle with it: the turn sounds simple but demands everything at once — backing, flat blades, seat rhythm and an eye for the water. And it often happens where it is tight: at the dock, in a bend, between other boats.
That is the safety point. British Rowing names collisions as a frequent reason for capsizes and advises a good lookout and keeping to the circulation plan [4]. On top of that, blades standing vertically in the water also lead to capsizes [4]. A clean turn is therefore less a trick than a test of your boat and blade control. This guide applies to the boat, not the ergometer — there is nothing to turn there.
Before the turn, look at water and traffic. On rivers with current, a German Rowing Federation exam question says: if you are rowing upstream and want to return downstream, you bring the bow into the current so that the turn uses the current [3].
Milestone (practice standard): you can say in one sentence where wind, current and traffic push you.
The boat has to almost stop. With "Ruder – halt!" (hold the oars) you end the stroke: the command comes at the end of the drive, the feathered blades are carried bow-wards until the oars are square to the boat [1]. With "Blätter – ab!" (blades down) you lay them flat on the water [1].
Milestone: the boat is almost still, both blades lie flat.
The announcement of the turn is the same as for backing: inside hand to the body, blade flat on the water [1].
Milestone: you sit at the catch with both blades flat and can start any time.
On the named side you first row backward, and the other oar you carry over the water while sliding forward [1]. Start small, short strokes.
Milestone: the boat begins to turn without the other side's blade touching the water.
With the other oar you row forward from the catch, and the one used first is carried over the water [1]. So both sides work against each other and the boat turns on the spot.
Milestone: after a few alternating strokes the bow visibly points in a new direction.
Once the direction is reached, you row on normally — in a crew boat with "Alles vorwärts – los!" (all forward – go) [1]. Blades flat, stay calm.
Milestone: you turn around and then row straight on.
A turn puts you at risk where it is tight. If you fall in, the order from British Rowing's alert applies: head above water, stay calm, control your breathing, stay with the boat [4]. Cold shock with uncontrolled gasps sets in within seconds, before the body cools [6]. Swimming failure follows because the muscles cool, even at almost normal body temperature [6].
Stay with the boat, it keeps you afloat and makes you more visible [5]. The bank is always further away than you think [5]. You learn capsizes and water training best in a supervised course.
This guide explains and motivates; it does not replace supervised training or a coach.
On a river with current, the position of the bow decides: if you are rowing upstream and want to return downstream, you bring the bow into the current so the turn uses the current — that is the solution of a German Rowing Federation exam question on exactly this case [3]. Read the water first, then turn. Try it first in weak current and with company.
You first row backward on one side and carry the other blade over the water while sliding forward. Then you row forward with the other blade from the catch, and the first is carried over the water [1]. The principle is the same in a single as in a crew boat.
The named side rows backward first [1]. The cox announces it ("Wende über Backbord – los!"), the crew takes the backing position, and on "los" it starts [1].
The announcement is as for backing: inside hand at the body, blade flat on the water. Then comes the execution [1]. A short pause should lie in between so the crew can take position [1].
According to a German Rowing Federation exam question, you bring the bow into the current so that the turn uses the current [3].
No. The turn is a boat manoeuvre. On the ergometer there is no direction, no current and no blades to carry.
The Catch Position in Rowing: Front Turnaround With Vertical Shins