Day: May 24, 2013

Coxing Q&A

Question of the Day

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I am a novice lightweight rower who started rowing about a year and ago. I absolutely love crew, only problem is that I tore my rotator cuff earlier this year and had to have surgery. It is going to be a while before I can start rowing and even with all the rehab who knows if I will be any good. My mom suggested that I perhaps take up coxing and I have been reading up a lot about coxing and listening to recordings, the only problem is that I am about 5’7″. Am I too tall to be a coxswain? I really love rowing and I would love to stay involved in crew any way I can. Do you have any suggestions for me? Thanks.

Theoretically yes, the coxswain’s seat is typically reserved for those of us not as vertically gifted as yourself but tall coxswains do exist and have coxed just as well as their shorter teammates. If it’s something you’re interested in doing talk to your coaches about it, particularly the men’s coach(es). If you’re a girl, you can usually get away with being a little taller if you cox men vs. the women. If you have any clubs near you that offer learn to row camps over the summer, I’d go to one and get some experience coxing. You’ll start out on the same level as every one else and the atmosphere is relaxed enough that there’s no pressure to actually be good. You’ll want to get a feel for the steering first and then worry about the calls and stuff later.

Q&A Rowing Teammates & Coaches

Question of the Day

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My coach always says she values experience, commitment and attitude. I’m one of the more experienced rowers on the team and I’m always trying my hardest to be positive and row my best. I’ve been spending most of the season in the third 8+ even though she’s told me before she thinks I’m really strong and a good rower. She’s put me in this boat for all of our major regattas and when I ask for an explanation, she doesn’t give me a straight answer. I know its supposed to be for pushing the lower boats and such, however, it’s really demoralizing for me because I feel like I’m never given a chance to show my full potential as a member of the team. I’d also really like to win, which my 8+ rarely does, whereas the first and second 8+ s are always taking gold and silver. What do you think I should do?

Hmm. I never really understood how putting a competent rower in a lower boat was supposed to “push” the other rowers but that’s just me. It’s definitely not something I’d ever do. I mean, there’s other reasons why I’d move a rower down but that particular reason isn’t one of them. Have you told her that you find it demoralizing to be put in lower boats when the feedback you’re getting indicates that you have the potential to be in a higher one?

I would try talking to her again and making it abundantly clear how you feel. It’s possible that she’s not giving you a straight answer because you’re not making it known in a clear enough way that this is bothering you. If you beat around the bush and don’t say exactly what you’re thinking/feeling, your coaches aren’t going to know why you’re asking. If they think you’re just asking because you’re pissed you’re in a boat that you deem “lesser” than your skills, they’ll write you off as being whiny. I doubt that’s the case here but it is a possibility. You never know until you ask. Have you asked or has she told you why she thinks having you in this boat pushes them? I know it’s not the most profound piece of advice I’ve ever given but I think the best thing you could do is sit down with her and talk about why you think you deserve at least a shot at the upper boats, what she thinks or had hoped your role in the 3rd 8+ should be, etc. Clear the air on both sides, if that makes sense. There’s probably a lot being lost in limbo right now because no one is asking the right questions.

Until then though and most especially since we’re creeping closer towards the end of the season, commit yourself to the 3rd 8+. The frustration you have for not being in the top boats should not be noticed, sensed, or felt by anyone in the boat you’re currently in because it’s not fair to them. Keep working hard and put all your energy into making the 3rd 8+ as fast as possible. Have a good attitude and try to find something positive about the experience. If you can think of something before you talk to your coach, tell her that – for example (this is completely hypothetical), being in the 3rd 8+ and doing all the technique work you did really helped you to focus on engaging the legs immediately at the catch and having a solid drive instead of disengaging them by shooting your tail and relying solely on your upper body. Epiphanies such as this sometimes cause coaches to reevaluate a rower’s position in the boat, so it’s worth a shot.