So… I’m 5’6 and I weigh 132. I really like coxing and I suppose I could lose weight, but right now I only feel comfortable going down to about 125 (because of my shape and where my weight is distributed). I don’t really like rowing, but that may be because I can’t keep up with some of the girls on my team that I get paired with, I don’t like sweeping (but I LOVE sculling), I’m embarrassed by my painfully, horribly slow 2k, etc. etc. Basically what I’m saying is I’m in a huge rut because I’m too big to cox but too small to row well, but I’ve fallen in love with everything about the sport. What do you think I should do?
I’ve known people in similar situations, be it between rowing and coxing or rowing lightweight and heavyweight, and I’d guess that roughly half of them made it work and the other half took it as a sign that they’d gone as far as they could with their rowing career. I’d say you have two options. Option one, try coxing men. Their weight minimum is 125lbs so that tends to work in the favor of girls who aren’t comfortable going down to 110lbs or just have a natural body weight closer to that than to the women’s minimum.
If you’ve got experience coxing (actual experience is always preferable to “I coxed learn-to-row twice a year and a half ago!”) then I’d consider looking into this. Option two is to hang up your rowing hat and enjoy the magical concept known as “free time” which you will find that you suddenly have an abundance of. Regardless of whether you’re a rower or a coxswain though, height and weight are important components of being competitive in this sport (no matter how much people would like to pretend they’re not) so it’s up to you to decide whether or not losing a few pounds is something you’re willing to do and/or would be comfortable doing.
