On Saturday, May 3, 2025 OARCA offered a free self-rescue session at the local, Commonwealth pool. A coastal solo and double were brought to the pool for practising self rescues. It proved to be an eye opener and generated some hysterical laughter along the way. Videos and photos from the session along with our “Lessons Learned” are given below.
Coastal Solo
Note that the boat being used is a bow rigged Swift 103. The Swift 103 is known to be fast but “twitchy”. We all agreed with the “twitchy”.
Here Brenda has entered the solo from the side. The oar handles have been put under the netting in the stern of the boat and Brenda has come up from the side and under the riggers. This is the preferred method for getting into a bow rigged solo. If the solo doesn’t have any netting to hold the handles, then having some way of keeping the handles together while entering the boat would be handy. We are currently looking at options. It is important to note that unlike in a racing single, you do NOT need to hold the oars when you get in the boat. Even in a “twitchy” boat like the Swift 103, it was possible to get in without holding the oars.
Brenda now tries to enter the solo from the stern. At least in a bow rigged boat she doesn’t have to crawl over the riggers. This is definitely the least stable way to enter. Brenda is great balance but even she struggles to get in. The video stops before it shows that she is successful. She did make it without falling in but it would be very tricky in wavy conditions. Definitely not the preferred way.
Just to try all options, here Brenda tries to self-rescue by going over the bow of the solo. Not easy!
Coastal Double
Brenda and Kirsten are entering the coastal double from the stern. This proved to be the easiest way to get back into the double. One person holds the boat stable while the other person crawls in. Once one person is in, that person can use their oars to give the boat stability as the other person enters.
It is possible to get into the double from the side but it is more difficult. With a person already in the stern, getting into the bow is tricky as it is now quite high which means a bigger leap is needed. It also helps to have long arms to reach across to the gunnel on the far side.
Additional videos of getting into a stern rigger coastal solo are available from West Coast Rowing Adventures.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Practice helps!
- Bow mounted rigger may be a bit more challenging than getting back into C1x with stern mounted rigger.
- Entry from stern may be easier for some compared to reentering from side especially in the double.
- Having something to hold oar handles together (thus more perpendicular to boat) is helpful (used stern gear net in single; consider carrying a small bungy in boat).
- To wear PFD or not – if cannot get back into boat, definitely put on PFD and inflate if an inflatable one.
- Might have to help partner in first.
- Most were able to get back into boat with 1-2 minutes.
- If struggling to pull self across boat from the water, try the bounce method to gain a bit of momentum.
- If boat has flipped upside down remember to put blade(s) parallel to boat before turning upright, and watch for flying oars as the boat turns over.
- 2 boat rescue – stern to stern is effective way to get boats close.
- Watch for sharp portions of the boat (eg, rigger, oarlock).
- Always hold onto the boat.
- If unable to re-enter boat and in a group, consider towing boat with person lying stomach-down on stern deck.
- In double best to have bow-person reenter first so they can more easily see stern rower during reentry and brace accordingly.
- Recognize that conditions that caused the person overboard or capsize incident will likely make re-entry more difficult than in a calm pool.
- Try to keep weight low to the deck/cockpit.
Additional Comments
Brenda:
1. Getting in the 2x from the stern was pretty easy and I think the best way to do it.
2. Assisted rescue- where the 2x came along side the solo, stern to stern, so that the rowers in the 2x could stabilize the solo, made getting in the solo much easier. (it kept it flat).
3. The biggest challenge with the solo we used is that it is very tender, so even once you got in, it was tippy until you got control of the oars. This was especially tricky because of the the bow mounted riggers. Putting them under the net at the stern (or for boats without that, getting a strap/bungee to hold the handles together) helped keep them under control.
For that solo it was also important to get as far over/onto the boat on your first try as possible, to keep the boat as flat as possible- otherwise (if more of you weight was on the near gunwhale) it very easily went vertical, making it hard to get in. Kirsten did this the best.
Marla:
My biggest takeaway was that unlike a racing single, you don’t have to hang onto the oars when doing a self-rescue. I did my solo self-rescue practice in advance in salt water. Using the same Swift bow rigged solo, I came in from the side while holding the oar handles firmly in one hand. A leap up to the deck and then the realization that it is a long reach to the gunnel on the far side of the solo. I was glad to be tall with long arms. Once in the boat and sitting facing the stern, I now had the oars behind me. It was definitely a “Now what?!” moment. I ended up lying flat in the boat while bringing the oars over my head.
I also practised an entry into the solo from the stern much to the laughter of those on shore. I made it but came very close to falling in a couple of times. From the side was easier.
One of our OARCA members did a formal self-rescue for World Rowing certification and the boat that was used for the test didn’t even have oars. Now I know!
I have my own stern rigged Euro solo and found it much easier for self-rescue. Relatively stable and even if you hang onto the oars with one hand, they are in the right position when you are actually in the rowing position in the boat when entering the boat from the side.
One of our newer rowers
My first attempt scared me because I could not do it. I tried to get back in the boat from the stern, but repeatedly did not kick hard enough to keep my legs from pulling under the boat. Then I put on a life jacket while in the water which was not easy and definitely tiring but my stress level was increasing….
That first attempt was very discouraging.
Janice kindly gave me some time to relax and then encouraged me to try again. Many thanks Janice.
The double was lined up to stabilize the single. The rowers in the double certainly worked hard but I felt safe. That set-up helped me stay calmer, able to listen, and take directions better. Sure wish I had longer, stronger arms!