What to coxswains do other than cox?

Question

I'm planning on trying out for the novice junior rowing team as a coxswain, and I'm wondering if coxswains actually get any exercise. Do they train with the team? Or do they usually just sit in a boat and call out orders?

Answer 1

Because the rowers work so hard, its a very good idea for the coxswains to do as much of the off the water workouts as possible.

That way, an unthinking coxswain is less likely to bark out "More Power", when everyone's heart rate is at about 200 beats a minute, and they've been in lactic acid burn for 4 minutes going on 5.

Primary responsibility is that the equipment on the boat is safe properly adjusted, and steering it safely in the water, and to and from the dock.  Modern kevlar or fiberglass boats are about $30,000 new.  So they are as expensive as many new cars.

Very important to learn good oar technique, and be able to keep the timing of all oars together going both in and out of the water.  You also try to motivate the rowers without irritating them.

Its sort of a driver and mother hen role, getting 4 or 8 others to work their butts off, and get even more out of them at the end of a race.