Rounded Rectangle: Date:                                        Time:                                       Duration: 1 hour Badge Level:      Oarsman                                                       Subject: Introductory Rowing Tasks:                3 – Responding correctly to rowing orders                           6 – Row competently as a member of a crew   REQUIREMENTS COMMENTS Lesson Aims: To introduce youth members to the skills required for rowing and managing a Scout cutter under oars.   Previous Knowledge: Youth members will have completed Lesson Plan 4 – Personal Safety in Boats.   You Will Need: ·         Scout cutter correctly rigged for rowing. ·         Adult leader holding a current Grade A charge certificate. ·         A crew of rowers (preference is to have a minimum crew of at least four rowers). ·         A coxswain (could be the charge certificate holder). ·         PFDs for each participant of an appropriate size. ·         MEC Rowing Orders instruction sheet. It is recommended that this Lesson Plan is undertaken in calm, non-tidal waters.   Developing Skills: Teamwork, following instructions, confidence in Scout cutters, rowing timing, personal fitness.   Learning Outcomes: How to effectively work as a crew member in a Scout cutter being rowed. Understand and respond to rowing orders from the coxswain. Improve discipline in small boats.   Method: Safely board the boat, ship the rudder and tiller. Allocate crew rowing positions. Explain the purpose of stretchers and adjust them accordingly. With reference to MEC – Rowing Orders instruction sheet In slow time, demonstrate the basic rowing orders: ·         Ship crutches. ·         Sight your oars. ·         Toss oars. ·         Oars. ·         Standby. ·         Give way together. ·         Dip. Initially, row for only two strokes returning to Oars to encourage correct timing and allowing the crew to become familiar with managing their oars. Frequently repeat this step until the crew’s rowing timing has improved. Recommence rowing by ordering Oars and then restart with Standby – Give way together. Ensure that the crew align the blades of their oars correctly at each Oars and Standby. The timing will be improved if the correct rowing speed is called out by the coxswain. This can either be counted as a series of numbers or “dip” called repeatedly as the blades enter the water. The crew members can also chant out the time in unison. Regularly stop rowing by ordering Oars and then restart with Standby – Give way together when the timing falters. Provided that the crew’s rowing timing has sufficiently developed, increase the number of consecutive rowing strokes between breaks. Introduce the crew to additional rowing orders: ·         Hold water. ·         Back water. ·         Rest on oars ·         Trail oars. ·         Boat oars. ·         Boat crutches. Rotate the crew into new rowing positions throughout the lesson to enable the crew to determine preferred rowing position and side of boat to row at. When rotating the crew through rowing positions, consider rotating them through the coxswain and bowman positions so they experience these positions and have some rest periods. During periods of rest, use some of the time to improve boat knowledge by testing crew members on correct names for parts of the hull (See Lesson Plan 1 – Parts of the Hull) Encourage the Coxswain to use confident and clear rowing orders and develop skills in boat control using the rudder (See Lesson Plan 10 – Rowing Manoeuvring) Follow Up Activities: Repeat this lesson to fully develop the participant’s understanding of rowing technique along with familiarisation of correct rowing orders. Evaluation: On completion of each session, question the coxswain and crew members on their performance and the general performance of the crew. Question the crew on their preferred rowing position. Observe improvements in fitness. Encourage youth members to maintain a personal training log (Refer to MEC – Training Log).    

Rounded Rectangle:

Marine Education Centre

Te Whare Wānanga o Ngā Matataua a Tangaroa

Scouts NZ - Region 1