Previously: Getting to the starting line || Steering through the bridges
When I’m coxing, I like to look for distinctive landmarks along the course that will remind me how far in we are or serve as good spots to take some power strokes. They’re also important to know so that you can tell your crew where you are. This saves them from having to look out of the boat to see where you’re at but also gives you something beneficial to say in between everything else you’re saying. Head of the Charles is 3.2 miles long, which means anywhere from 15 to 22 minutes of nonstop talking from you, the coxswain. Instead of repeating the same stuff over and over, you can give them geographical information based on the landmarks along the course.
When you don’t know what to say, default to telling the crew where they are. Distance, rate, and time are the three things you should tell them on a consistent basis but when you’re doing a head race, location relative to the various landmarks can/should be added to that list.
Here’s the list of landmarks on the Charles in the order you’ll pass them.
Next up: Steering around the turns
This is very true, always location location location. The tree before the Weeks bridge is imperative for getting your mark on that turn don’t you think. Also..I think that attendance at the coxswains meeting is one of the best things to put on your calendar before the HOCR even if you have coxed it a bunch of times, you always get some new tidbit of information that can benefit you!
I agree 100%. Once I started using that tree as a “guide” I found that the turn was MUCH less stressful. I’m SO excited to go to the coxswain clinic on Friday. I love learning new things about rowing, especially when it’s from people like Yaz who REALLY know what they’re talking about.