I am coxing our V4 at regionals soon and realized that I have a lot of trouble coxing in bow loaders. I have trouble getting enough air in my lungs between words and feel like I can’t project my voice and can’t use my abs to cox. What would you recommend?
I’ve been waiting for someone to ask this – it seems like it would be a pretty standard problem with coxing bow loaders. Have you tried sitting up more? Obviously not so far up that you’re in your bow man’s way but just a little more than you have been? If you’re down so far that your chin is practically on your chest then that’ll definitely inhibit your ability to take in the amount of oxygen that you need, as well as decrease the range of motion you need to have in order to be able to contract your abs to help with projection.
Outside of strengthening your core (which will help a lot) I think experimenting with how you lay in the boat is going to be your best option. Talk with your bow man and let him/her know that that’s what you’re planning on doing over the next couple of practices and ask them to let you know if you’re sitting too far up and getting in their way (since doing so would affect their ability to lay back).
