How to Get Back into Your Scull after Flipping

Learn how to get back into your scull -- swiftly and safely -- after flipping over in water. Demonstrated by Calm Waters Rowing coaches and U.S. National Team medalists Charlotte Hollings and John Dunn. Filmed on the private lake owned by Calm Waters Rowing, a rowing camp for beginning and experienced rowers alike in Lancaster, Virginia.
This video is part of the "Introduction to Rowing Technique" produced by Calm Waters Rowing.
www.calmwatersrowing.net

[@aircanuck]

I think she made that look easier than it really is. Definitely worth practising! Thanks for the video.

[@LancesterHardwood]

How easy it is depends also on you. The fitter and lighter you are the easier it is. First time turning over as a teenager i jumped in the boat without technics, like holding the blades...

[@drowndd]

These guys are legends for responding to some of these comments even after 8 years

[@blackt0wer]

I flipped today. My first time out in a racing scull. I'll try this next time. Thanks

[@JamieSmith-fz2mz]

I had been rowing for a few years before I flipped it. And it was due to stupidity: my oar lock wasn't tightened enough. The oar popped out, and I was over in a flash. I had never practiced this maneuver before but knew enough to get the oars wrangled in first. FYI, there is a pair of almost new Oakleys at the bottom of Stoney Creek Lake.

[@owlised]

Where are you from? We call it a gate, not an oar lock

[@clearday1971]

Still the best flip test instruction video after all these years. I visited you in 2016, it was awesome.

[@westinnewman3572]

Charlette seems to be a pro at this. Great video. Thanks for posting!

[@rowingwithcalmwaters]

Hope it was helpful, thanks for watching.

[@GNatGoodman]

Very clear demonstration of a tricky maneuver!

[@Wootoow]

For that reason most people only start practicing sculling when the water is a little bit warmer. This way you can get your technique to a decent level in a safe manner and keeps the risk of falling in the water when it's really cold. As far as I know this is the fastest way of getting in your boat. Also it can be done a lot faster than this, but that way you wouldn't be able to see what exactly happens so it's done slow in this video.

[@danielfuegerable]

Ha! Watched this video 4 days ago. And it came very handy today - thanks!

[@rowingwithcalmwaters]

Glad you found the video helpful, stay safe!

[@rowingwithcalmwaters]

It can be harder than it looks but I did demo this a lot before I got smart enough to video it. Now I just show the video instead of getting wet everytime.

[@westinnewman3572]

Would you recommend that new rowers swim their boat to shore (if they are near to it), or attempt this fairly advanced maneuver?

[@DanDanDoe]

Westin Newman As a sculler myself it’s good to start trying it from the first time onwards. At my rowing society it’s considered a basic technique. It’s good to be able to do it, as you can’t always get to a side where you can stand or get out of the water. Definitely a technique worth practising from the start.

[@rowingwithcalmwaters]

As to getting back in when the boat has backstays, very difficult. One thing that might work is using a velcro strap to hold onto the oar handles and then shimmying up the bow. We tried this at Calm Waters with a woman who brought her own boat with backstays. She couldn't get in any other way but this worked.

[@rowingwithcalmwaters]

It's the same technique though obviously a little more difficult, you need to have a decent upper body strength to weight ratio. I compare getting back in the boat to getting out of the pool without a ladder. If you can do that, you're much more likely to be able to get back into the boat.

[@totalrandomness4543]

From age 4-11 I had swimming lessons, the purpose of these were to 'make sure you can swim' but as you got older they made you do competitive swimming technique even if you DIDNT WANT TO SWIM, I tried to quit but my mum wouldn't let me. Anyway, they wouldn't EVER let you use the ladder so I grew up being able to get out of a pool without standing on anything. It's not that hard, just push up with your arms and place your knee down on the edge as soon as you can, then pushing up on your knee and hands pull your other leg out of the water.

[@ndon85]

you see? always listening to mum!

[@rohangiga]

had to get back in myself the other day without ever trying or watching a video before, just coach telling me what to do, haha it sucks

[@josephew1]

This happend to me today .... I just sat on top of the capsized boat until the club motorboat came by...

[@23gez]

swiftly done in swift shell w/ swifts overhead, mins 1.30 - 2.00 is the part where the sculler re-seats ahead of the croc-attack ;-o

[@sgtharper4625]

No need to fuss with the far oar: pull it into and over the boat, which is anyways balanced by the near oar while you push up. Once you turn into sitting with both legs over one edge, there's enough time still to push out the far oar.

[@rowingwithcalmwaters]

Except that the boat doesn't always stay leaning to the side of the near oar. If the boat tips the other way, and that far oar isn't out, the boat is going to flip that way.

[@edwardpollitt6388]

bro you must be so good

[@WojtikJ]

never thought it's possible)))... i always called for help, LOL....

[@lisagiulianelli2553]

I need to get a drop in seat for my sculling boat. Any recommendations for where to get an economical one?

[@mannymarotta]

Sculling for the first time ever this morning...and everyone thinks I already know how to do it.

[@phallusmagnus]

reasonably good, yes, although i prefer sweep. but that isn't my point. my point was that it is rather difficult to get your boat to flip ALL THE WAY over 180 degrees. in my experience people just fall out and the boat stays upright, though it sometimes gets water in it.

[@clairetodd6052]

yeah yesterday I flipped my single twice and can confirm that it is very possible and easy to flip 180 degrees in a sculling boat

[@keauer]

How do you get back in if you are not a light weight person? Is there a technique for the larger woman (with hips)?

[@TonySousa]

Thanks for sharing. TT

[@filleducameaux]

Thanks for posting! But, in cold waters, this looks like it would require a determined and knowledgeable rower, because if you didn't know to fight your way up there quickly, you might be incapacitated from hypothermia. (?, I'm open to constructive comments)

[@westinnewman3572]

Certainly seems like an above average level of agility would be required.

[@clearday1971]

The time to practice IMO is in warmer temperatures, and ideally with coaching until you can do it reflexively. A 4-oar rule in winter also helps but I understand that probably isn't your scenario. Our club is organizing a voluntary flip test session tomorrow and this is the video I'm sharing in preparation. :)

[@alexchi7834]

How do you go about getting back in the boat if it has back stays ?

[@BOGObiology]

If the boat has a wing rigger and a backstay, you can fit between them. But if it's a 3-pronged rigger, you'd have to kick the boat to shallow water because the prongs are too close together to fit between them.

[@dingdong8776]

oar in nz

[@rowingwithcalmwaters]

It's a Peinert X25

[@marcel_789]

If you flip during the race, this technique can actually enable you to finish the race.

[@kentuckyliz188]

I don't think I could get my upper body that far up onto the boat! I guess I'm grabbing the boat and swimming for shore. :-D I could ship my oars in, tie them with the string of my emergency whistle, drape myself on the bow like a surfer, and paddle 'er in! :-)

[@rowingwithcalmwaters]

Every boat has a different seat. Figure out what make and model your boat is then I'd suggest going straight to the manufacturer. They should be able to help.

[@dylandevilliers4895]

Who else has just tipped over and is watching videos trying to get back in? Just me?

[@rowingwithcalmwaters]

Better late than never Dylan! Hope you were rowing somewhere warm when you flipped and I hope you find the video helpful.

[@arappa5750]

Alus alus,,ngan geleh bajuna t resep aing mh

[@alanmarusic7604]

Easier said than done

[@dingdong8776]

I flipped 3 times my first time in a single got the coach boat to take me to a bank then rowed harder then stopped to bale. PS: only 10

[@amrani-fernandezlea5852]

omg!

[@hugoaraujorj7938]

Esse cara é foda

[@phallusmagnus]

wow, how can you flip a boat like that? i usually fall out, but haven't actually capsized...

[@DanDanDoe]

Ludwig Amadeus Haydn How do you fall out without capsizing? I’ve always capsized, because my feet are essentially stuck to the boat. If I go, the boat goes with me.

[@maartsvenson]

LOOOOOOOL

[@edwardpollitt6388]

not really as the momentum that has caused the boat to tip that far usually causes the boat to continue to flip to 180 degrees, which is mostly what I have seen (and experienced) in my encounters.

[@codyme5]

5 times oh well u must be so proud... GB got owned by NZ anywayz... so evidentally we knowbetter. ;)

[@lw450fandt]

its not a oar its a blade or scull an oar is what you use in a 8 or quad or some pairs where both hands are on the one blade dont dis i row for GB 5 times a week