Tips to Being A CoxswainCommunication is Key!
With your coach
With your rowers
With other coxswains
Be Willing to change for your rowers
Each rower will have different needs or expectations of you
Respect their hard work and show them your hard work
Earn your seat as they have to earn theirs
Men and women are different!
Know your rowers capabilities
Weak points/strengths as individuals and as a boat
Be confident
Know your stuff
Learn how to fix issues in your boat/rowers
Dealing with the Coach
Take Responsibility
Fight for your rowers
Let your coach know what’s going on in your boat
A Little Bit About Me
I grew up in South Africa
Graduated from Liberty University in 2012 with a Major in Exercise Science
Started Rowing my freshman year in college
Started Coxing my Sophomore year in college
Worked mainly with Men
On my 2nd year as Head Coach of both Men and Women’s team
Content
Privilege of Being a Coxswain
Challenges of Being a Coxswain
Tips to Being A Coxswain
Looking At Your Season
Week Before Your Race
Day Before Your Race
Day Of Your Race
After Your Race
Fall vs. Spring Season
Privilege of Being A Coxswain
You are a Leader – Captain of the Ship!
With responsibility comes great expectations
Strategy is in Your hands
Own your race!
Constant Challenge to how you think
Challenges of Being A Coxswain
Steering your boat
Learn how your rowers move the boat
Try different types of steering moves
Meeting each rowers specific needs
Looking At Your Season
Know what courses you are going to
Youtube and see if there are coxing videos of the course
Set goals for the season – podium finishes, faster times, leadership qualities to learn, changes to make in your coxing style
Be Realistic with goals – talk to the coach and rowers
Week Before Your Race
Map of the course
Talk with your boat
Make your race plan – break the course up into strokes/distance and pick focuses for each part
Day Before Your Race
Print the race plan – make it waterproof if you can
Print the course map
Have a copy of the race schedule, time, and bow number
Know when you will be launching and checking your boat
Day Of Your Race
Coxswain kit
7/16 Wrench
Adjustable wrench
Electrical Tape
Water
GatoradeAnyone double racing/hot docking?
Have a snack ready for them when they get on land again
After The Race
Reflect on how it went on the water during the race
Good and bad strokes – why?
Why did the other school win/lose to your boat?
What changes should you make going forward
Fall vs. Spring Season
Long Distance (Endurance)
Let your rowers know where they are on the course
Boats around you
General form and motivation
Short Distance (Sprint)
Break down strokes by 5’s or 10’s
Push them as hard as you can
Seat positions (where you are on boats specifically)
Form and motivation