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Requirements September 1961 until June 1972

1. Maintain yourself in the water for a period of three minutes fully clothed (shirt, trousers, sneakers) and cover 25 yards distance during this interval.

2. Demonstrate how to launch and land as follows: (a) Launch and land a properly equipped rowboat from and to shore. (b) Bring rowboat alongside pier, properly assist a passenger into it, row 50 feet, stop, pivot, come back to pier, and assist passenger safely from the boat. (c) Tie a rowboat to a pier: using (1) a clove hitch; (2) round turn and two half hitches; (3) a bowline; (4) a hitching tie or mooring hitch.

3. Row properly without assistance, with your counselor in the stern: (a) In a straight line for a quarter mile, stop, make a pivot turn, and return to the starting point. If a quarter-mile straight course is not available, shorter courses may be used. Row back and forth in a straight line until a quarter mile has been covered. For this requirement and b that follows, feather after each stroke. Pin rowlocks must not be used. (b) Back water in a straight line 200 yards. Make a turn under way still backing water, and return to the starting point.(c) Change position with the counselor and demonstrate sculling in good form for 25 yards, turn under way and return to starting point.

4. Alone or with one other person who is a swimmer, capsize a rowboat, turn it right side up, get in, and paddle 10 yards with your hands or an oar. Tell why you should hang onto or get in a swamped boat.

5. Alone in a rowboat shove off from shore or pier, row 25 yards approaching a swimmer, and maneuver boat so that the swimmer may hold onto the stern while he is being towed ashore.

6. Demonstrate and explain the proper use of anchors for rowboats.

7. Identify and describe. (a) The following types of boats: dory, dory skiff, skiff, dinghy, punt, pram. (b) Four common boatbuilding materials, giving some advantages and disadvantages of each. (c) Two of the following types of rowlocks: tholepin, box rowlock, ring rowlock, open top rowlock. Give one or more reasons why pin-type rowlocks are not recommended.

8. Explain the advantages gained by feathering oars while rowing and answer the following questions: (a) How would you handle a rowboat if caught in a storm or high wind? (b) How would you calculate the number of pounds that might be carried safely under normal conditions in any given boat under oars? (c) How would you properly fit out a rowboat, maintain and care for it during the boating season, and prepare and store it for the winter season?

2nd class scouts must first complete this 1st class test.

5. GO SWIMMING

SWIMMING*--Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe swim. Jump feet first into water over your head in depth. Swim 50 yards. During the swim, stop, make a sharp turn, level off and resume swimming.