Hi! I am moving onto my fourth year coxing and I am a bit worried if I am getting too tall and/or heavy to cox?? I know the club’s guidelines are quite strict but I was just wondering what you thought! I am 5 ft 4 inches and weigh 105lbs (48KG). For most of our races the minimum weight is roughly 99 lbs (45KG). I am the same height as most of the rowers but have fallen in love with coxing! Btw your blog is so useful and the recordings are really helpful! 🙂

Where do you live that the minimum is 99lbs? That can’t possibly be in the US, right?

Related: Female coxswain weight minimums

I mean, personally, I don’t think you’re too big/too heavy. You’re pretty much the same size as most female high school coxswains that I know (and coxed with). Plus, it’s not like being a whole six pounds over is going to make that much of a difference, especially at the junior level. I honestly don’t think it’s a big deal but if somebody says something to you about it, maybe remind them that you’re a teenager and telling a 105lb girl that she’s too heavy for something pretty much makes them the mayor of Asshole-town. Strict club guidelines or not, a 99lb minimum seems … unhealthy … for the vast majority of girls/coxswains out there. Also, don’t use being close in height with the rowers as a gauge for whether or not you’re growing (or have grown) out of being the right size for coxing. Height, to an extent, has never mattered that much when it comes to coxing – it’s just more common (physically and logically) to have a coxswain who’s relatively thin and short because it’s just not that easy for most people to maintain 110lbs or 120lbs on a taller frame (that being like, 5’7″ – 5’9″+).

Like I said, I wouldn’t worry about it. You’ve been doing this long enough now to have a good grasp on what you’re doing so just keep focusing your energy on honing your skills and you’ll be fine.