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In order to back a rowing boat, the rowers twist the oar handle 180 degrees turning the blade (end of the oar) around backwards. Then the rowing stroke is done in reverse. The blade is placed in the water toward the stern, then the rower pushes (rather than pulls) the oar handle away from their chest sending the blade through the water toward the bow of the boat. As long as each rower that is "backing" is paired with another rower that holds an oar on the opposite side of the boat who is also backing, this motion will "back" the boat down, rather than send it forward.

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14y ago

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