Why do people sit with thier back towards the destination when rowing?

Question

pleaze don't say cause otherwise they'd go backwards, cause I think it would be easier to row backwards.........

Answer 1

I row as one of my main sports I do, and people ask me this question all the time. So I will list off some reasons. :)

1. When you row you are pulling your arms towards you, the causes a force down to your feet where you can balance yourself. If you rowed the other way by pushing it out, you would loose balance because you have no support behind or back in some cases.

2. Its a more natural arm movement for most people.

3. The muscles that you use to pull the oars are stronger in most people, therefore you would have more force going the opposite way you are facing.

4. you use your back muscles when you row, and also your leg muscles, and if you row facing forward you lack the extra power you should be creating with your back and legs.

5. Its the way I was taught :P

Answer 2

Because its easier to row with your back in that direction. When you row, you first put the oar in the water, you pull using all your body weight, you lift the oar out of watter, and then you reposition yourself.

You have a lot more power when you pull, you can use all of your body to pull, it would be difficult to push with the same body strenght in the same position.

Answer 3

Cause its far easier to pull the oars thru the water than to try to push them-like if you were facing the direction of travel.

Answer 4

You think that it would be easier to push the oars, rather than pull on them? Have you ever rowed or even canoed? You will go almost nowhere by pushing against the water,compared to pulling against the water. Therefore, in order to go anywhere at all, you would move the boat away from its destination doing it your way.

Answer 5

Natural movements of the arms makes rowing easier in that position.