Ok fellow coxies! So, I wrote this Coxie Test as one of my first posts on this forum a long time ago. So the initial one had a few problems (and I'm sure this one does too!!), however I hope to fix it up a bit and as my views have also changed as I've progressed as a cox my answers will have changed a bit too. (Again, all of this is my own opinion, the point is to compare and learn from different perspectives!!) Enjoy!!

Q. Why do you, personally, cox? Have you tried rowing?

I used to hate coxing! I had never been so consistently wrong in anything ever! It was so discouraging. Eventually I asked around for a bit of help and found this site. I've been improving ever since. So, initially my motivation was to get better, and try to impress this new community I was in, especially being the youngest and most inexperienced in the club. Now, I simply love coxing and the sport itself!! That's my motivation to get better.

I have tried rowing, and I still do row! I'm small and weak (surprise, surprise), but my motivation is that the other cox (very petite!) in the club is also a rower. She's an A or B grade rower, so it IS possible! I would like to be a very experienced cox and a competent rower.

Q. So, what is a coxswain?

A very important part of any crew (with the exception of the unmentionable coxless goers *shocked*), whose main priority is to make the boat be able to go the fastest it possibly can. The cox motivates, delegates and steers the boat.

Q. Are you only important on the water? Or does your importance and status remain on land too? Do you think there is any benefit from crew chats?

I do believe your importance remains on land too (unless it's at the pub, when the rowers take over!). Stuff like boat loading, regattas, rigging, land training, getting the boat to the water and back. You have to make sure that you know what's going on, and the rowers know you are in charge even if stroke is calling the shots - you have the power to change what s/he says (not that you do, but you have to make them think that!!). Obviously crew chats before and after are very important to be a part of, I hate it when people walk away without a crew chat - I want to give feedback and I want it myself!! It's the best way to learn what the rowers felt, the coach felt and what you personally felt, it gives the strength to the crew to work together. Mentally and physically.

Q. Why are they needed?

They're needed to do all the necessary things the rowers can't do. Seeing, speaking and sometimes believing. They have to be able to answer all the questions a rower would have; in a race, in training. Have to be able to notice flaws in technique and fix them. Motivate the rowers to achieve the crew’s personal best. Also to make sure that the shell and rowers are safe, (and of course yourself!).

Q. Why is safety an issue? Or isn't it your responsibility?

Safety is an issue and is certainly your responsibility!! I always say to myself, "I'd rather ruin a piece than ruin a boat" when I'm making decisions regarding the safety of the boat and rowers. It's good to take risks, because you learn from them, but a certain degree of safety must always exist. If there's something you don't see, and it's evident you don't see it (such as something directly in your way), it may come down to the coach or other crews to alert you. You can also help other crews on the river if they are oblivious of a threat to their safety.

Q. In what ways do you help or hinder your crews' performance?

Being able to motivate effectively and pick up problems (and fix without the aid of the coach) with the rowers is essential. To not provide this would be a hindrance, so negative and ineffective calls. To be able to keep the straightest line and use efficient rudder movements to turn the shell can be seen as the most important aspect of coxing. This is because we hinder our crews by the drag of the turned rudder in the water, which slows the boat down and can also cause balance problems.

Q. Do you have a preference of men or women? Any reason?

It depends on the standard and capability, obviously, but in general, men, simply because I feel they have more discipline! It may also be because I haven't had as much experience with elite women’s crews as I have with men. (I'm female)

Q. Is talking from the rowers in the boat good for the crew in any way? If yes, why? And no, how do you deal with it?

No!! How do I deal with it? It depends on what mood I'm in. Usually I'll just say "Shut up!"; otherwise if I'm feeling a little less harsh I'll say something like "no talking in the boat". If they don't stop I'll get at them until they do - and if they simply don't (haven't had this happen before) "Do you have a problem? Do you have something you want to say? I'm the only person who can talk in this boat, so shut up now." (<< Maybe a few swear words... I hate doing it but it means I'm serious!). If they don't - easy and be completely silent!

Q. Is asking rowers what they want to do acceptable? Or does it give the wrong image of not being the "all seeing, all knowing."?

I had a coach who was very against asking the rowers what to do when I was a novice, which made it very difficult for me to learn, especially as my coach wasn't particularly helpful himself. I think, if you have a question, ask it - ask it in the right way of course, but I figure if you don't know the answer it's better to ask it once and be more confident about the problem next time it occurs. But hey - if you make a mistake, you can apologise if you like, which I usually do, but I love the times when I don't and they give me this expectant look and I remind them "Hey I'm the cox, what says - goes".