When you row a boat why does it go forward when your oars go backward?

When you row a boat, the oars push backward against the water, creating a reaction force that propels the boat forward, as described by Newton's third law of motion—every action has an equal and opposite reaction. As the oars move backward, they displace water, generating thrust that moves the boat in the opposite direction. This efficient transfer of energy allows the boat to move forward while the oars are pulled back.