Task · part of 5. Alongside a pier, and it depends which boat you can get

5(b). Sliding-seat, with a buddy, twice each way

Optional May not apply

This may not apply to you. You have not answered "Requirement 5: fixed-seat with a passenger, or sliding-seat with a buddy?" yet. Answer it and this step will either settle or drop off.

Come alongside a pier, get out onto it with your buddy assisting, help your buddy into the boat, then reverse the roles and do the whole thing again. Fewer separate skills than 5(a); the difficulty is that a sliding-seat boat is far less forgiving of somebody standing up in it.

Where this step comes from

Rowing Merit Badge Requirements (Merit Badge Hub, last modified 2026-02-18), Requirement 5(b) · The requirement asks you to get out onto the pier with your buddy assisting, help your buddy into the boat, then reverse roles and repeat.