So I just finished my novice year as a rower. I was the shortest on the team but had one of the best 2k’s and was bow seat of the medaling regionals boat. However, now that I am JV and am starting to think about the future I’ve been thinking that my future would be brighter as a coxswain. I’ve never coxed a race but I’ve coxed at practices when needed and I’m pretty decent at it. I am a 15 yr boy and about 5’5 and I really am not sure what I should do. I know that I could row lightweight but I feel like I have a much better chance in the future like varsity and college as a coxswain. I love rowing and coxing though. My question is how would you recommend making a decision about switching to coxing or to keep rowing?
I think it all comes down to what you want to get out of your rowing experience (“rowing” as in the general sense of the sport). If you decided to stick with being a rower but were limited, for whatever reason, to being in lower boats would you still be happy? Would you still enjoy coming to practice every day and helping to make your boat fast? Or, would you feel like you were missing out on something? Some people are perfectly happy rowing in the 2V or the 3rd 4+ and that’s awesome but there are others who aren’t and want more … and that’s cool too.
If you switched to coxing, you’d essentially be starting at the bottom of the totem pole – or at the very least, as close to the bottom as you can get without being a brand new, straight off the shelf novice coxswain. This usually isn’t too appealing to people but it sounds like you have the benefit of being a solid rower on your side so that could/would make the transition a little easier and maybe open up some opportunities early on to cox some of the upper boats, which is always great when you’re just starting out as a coxswain. If continuing the sport in college is a goal though it’d be ideal for you to make the switch now rather than in a year or two, at least in my opinion, because it gives you plenty of time to figure out how to do everything and do it well. If you try to make the switch at the same time as you’re starting to really get into the nitty gritty of looking at schools, taking the SAT/ACTs, going on visits, etc. you’ll just be miserable.
So … I guess what I’m saying is that my recommendation for making this decision ultimately comes down to what’s going to keep you excited about showing up to the boathouse everyday. Keep in mind too that if you’re only 15 then you likely still have a few years of growing ahead of you. It’s worth asking your doctor about the next time you stop in for a checkup or physical. If you’re 5’5″ now but are projected to top out around 5’11” then that might impact what you decide to do. I think it’d be worth having a conversation with your coach too before the fall season starts (assuming you aren’t back at school yet) since they’ve likely seen other rowers in your position before and can offer up some good advice based on what they’ve seen them do.
