St. Cloud State Rowing Club

Coxswains

Welcome to the Saint Cloud State University rowing page for coxswains. This page is designed for the coxswains of the Saint Cloud State Rowing team. Many people typically ask what a coxswain is. As a coxswain, you are the person in charge of the boat at all times. A coxswain can be considered the most important person in a boat, but with this comes a lot of responsibility. You must be able to think on your feet and be able to make split second decisions. Another key characteristic of a coxswain is a loud voice and the ability to be vocal. The key to being a good coxswain is remembering that the safety of the rowers in the boat comes first above all else. If this means stopping the boat immediately, do it do not hesitate. What follows below are items that a coxswain should know.

Commands

Off water

The first thing you want to do before you use any other commands is to make sure you have two people unstrap the boat, whether it is tied down to the racks, in the water cage, or on the tees.

Hands on: This command asks that all rowers get hands on the boat. Do this when you are getting ready to take the boat off tees, slings, out of the water or anything that requires the boat to be moved. Usually this requires all rowers to be on the same side of the boat when lifting over heads.

Up and over heads: This command will immediately follow hands on. Say"up and over heads and up". The rowers will bring the boat abover their heads and keep held above their heads.

Split opposite from bow/stern:This command will immediately follow "up and over heads". With the rowers still holding the boat above their heads, they will move their heads to one side of the boat, alternating directions every person.

Down to shoulders and down: This command will follow "split opposite from bow/stern. This allows the rowers to rest the boat on their shoulders.

Down to waist and down: This command can be used at any time when the rowers are holding the boat. Typically used when rowers are holding the boat on their shoulders for long periods of time. If you are waiting to get on the water and the wait is going to be substantial have them hold the boat at waist to make it easier on your rowers.

Inch above the tees: When you are going to place the boat on tees, use this command. It basically tells your rowers to place and hold the boat an inch above the tees while you line the tees up. If you are coxing the boat make sure you place the tees underneath a rib on the boat.

Down to the tees and down: After you have the tees set up underneath a rib of the boat, issue this command and your rowers will rest the boat on the tees.

Getting on the water:

Once you have your rowers holding the boat on their shoulders, you are ready to have them walk the boat down to the water. Once you are on the dock, use the following commands to get the boat in the water.

Arms across: This is the first command you will use while you have your rowers standing on the dock. All this does is allows the rowers to know that you are getting ready to lift the boat above heads. All you will have to say is "arms across" and everyone should have a hand on each side of the boat, with the boat still resting on their shoulders.

Press to heads and up: This command immediately follows the "arms across" commands. By ordering the "press to heads" command, the rowers will all raise the boat above their heads, keeping their elbows locked.

Toe to the edge: After the "press to heads"command, issue the toe to the edge command. It is up to you to decide which side of the dock to put the boat on. Sometimes there is only one side, this is usually the case, but if there are more than one side to the dock, just add either left or right to the command. So it would be either "toe to the left edge" or "toe to the right edge". All this command does is have the rowers put one of their feet right on the edge of the dock.

Roll it down and in: After you have the rowers to one side of the dock, have them "roll it down and in". All together they will roll the boats towards the water. Make sure you tell them to push it away from the dock; otherwise they may set it down on the dock and break the skeg off. Whenever you have your rowers putting the boat on the dock, you should always stand by the skeg and make sure you give it a push away from the dock while they are putting the boat in the water.

Sometimes the boat won't fit all the way on the dock (ex: if you put the boat in the water part of it will be on shore). If this happens, just have your rowers walk the boat forward on their hands until you have enough room to set the boat in the water.

Now that you have the boat in the water, it is time to get the boat out on the water.

Once the boat is in the water, have people grab oarlocks and grab oars. Once it looks like most people are set to get off the dock, issue the following command.

Count down from bow when ready. Remember we are timed on getting off the dock, so you have to be the one in charge and make sure you get off quickly otherwise you will be penalized. Make sure everyone knows who is doing what before you even step onto the dock. (ex: getting oars, doing oarlocks)

On the water:

Warm ups:

Start with doing arms for around 10 strokes, or until everyone is in and out together. Then add in arms and back for another 10 strokes. Then add in 1/2 slide making sure that everyone is keeping the blade on the square for 10-20 strokes. Finally, add in the full slide with feather and have them do this for around 20-30 strokes, making sure they are focused on every part of the stroke.

Turning around:

There are two ways to turn the boat around, either have one side hold water and the opposite side row. There is also the river turn if you need to turn the boat in the same spot. Have one side do a normal stroke, then have the other side backrow. Keep alternating sides until the boat is turned around.

Stopping the boat:

Hold water/Check it down: Have everyone square their blades, and then bury them to slow the boat down very quickly. Use this command if you need to stop immediately.

You can also say "weigh enough" then "let it glide". This takes longer to stop the boat, but the oars are resting flat on top of the water, with the rowers in the rest position.

Other Miscellaneous Commands

Weigh enough (Pronounced: weigh'nuff): Stop whatever you are doing immediately!

About face: Do this when the boat is completely stopped and not moving. When you say "about face", all rowers switch directions they are facing (turn around in place, without letting go of the boat).

Bow/stern acting as the pivot, Bow/Stern swing it left or right: All this does is helps you pivot the boat one way or the other while having one end remain in the same place. This is useful if you have a don't have a big open area to turn the boat.

Side step to the left/right: Instead of walking the boat forward and trying to get to the left or right, this command enables you to move the boat to the left or right without moving forwards or backwards.

Walk it forwards/backwards: To get your rowers moving, just tell them to walk it forward or backward.

St. Cloud State University Rowing
	Coxswains Welcome to the Saint Cloud State University rowing page for coxswains. This page is designed for the coxswains of the Saint Cloud State Rowing team. Many people typically ask what a coxswain is. As a coxswain, you are the person in charge of the boat at all times. A coxswain can be considered the most important person in a boat, but with this comes a lot of responsibility. You must be able to think on your feet and be able to make split second decisions. Another key characteristic of a coxswain is a loud voice and the ability to be vocal. The key to being a good coxswain is remembering that the safety of the rowers in the boat comes first above all else. If this means stopping the boat immediately, do it do not hesitate. What follows below are items that a coxswain should know. Commands Off water The first thing you want to do before you use any other commands is to make sure you have two people unstrap the boat, whether it is tied down to the racks, in the water cage, or on the tees. Hands on: This command asks that all rowers get hands on the boat. Do this when you are getting ready to take the boat off tees, slings, out of the water or anything that requires the boat to be moved. Usually this requires all rowers to be on the same side of the boat when lifting over heads. Up and over heads: This command will immediately follow hands on. Say"up and over heads and up". The rowers will bring the boat abover their heads and keep held above their heads. Split opposite from bow/stern:This command will immediately follow "up and over heads". With the rowers still holding the boat above their heads, they will move their heads to one side of the boat, alternating directions every person. Down to shoulders and down: This command will follow "split opposite from bow/stern. This allows the rowers to rest the boat on their shoulders. Down to waist and down: This command can be used at any time when the rowers are holding the boat. Typically used when rowers are holding the boat on their shoulders for long periods of time. If you are waiting to get on the water and the wait is going to be substantial have them hold the boat at waist to make it easier on your rowers. Inch above the tees: When you are going to place the boat on tees, use this command. It basically tells your rowers to place and hold the boat an inch above the tees while you line the tees up. If you are coxing the boat make sure you place the tees underneath a rib on the boat. Down to the tees and down: After you have the tees set up underneath a rib of the boat, issue this command and your rowers will rest the boat on the tees. Getting on the water: Once you have your rowers holding the boat on their shoulders, you are ready to have them walk the boat down to the water. Once you are on the dock, use the following commands to get the boat in the water. Arms across: This is the first command you will use while you have your rowers standing on the dock. All this does is allows the rowers to know that you are getting ready to lift the boat above heads. All you will have to say is "arms across" and everyone should have a hand on each side of the boat, with the boat still resting on their shoulders. Press to heads and up: This command immediately follows the "arms across" commands. By ordering the "press to heads" command, the rowers will all raise the boat above their heads, keeping their elbows locked. Toe to the edge: After the "press to heads"command, issue the toe to the edge command. It is up to you to decide which side of the dock to put the boat on. Sometimes there is only one side, this is usually the case, but if there are more than one side to the dock, just add either left or right to the command. So it would be either "toe to the left edge" or "toe to the right edge". All this command does is have the rowers put one of their feet right on the edge of the dock. Roll it down and in: After you have the rowers to one side of the dock, have them "roll it down and in". All together they will roll the boats towards the water. Make sure you tell them to push it away from the dock; otherwise they may set it down on the dock and break the skeg off. Whenever you have your rowers putting the boat on the dock, you should always stand by the skeg and make sure you give it a push away from the dock while they are putting the boat in the water. Sometimes the boat won't fit all the way on the dock (ex: if you put the boat in the water part of it will be on shore). If this happens, just have your rowers walk the boat forward on their hands until you have enough room to set the boat in the water. Now that you have the boat in the water, it is time to get the boat out on the water. Once the boat is in the water, have people grab oarlocks and grab oars. Once it looks like most people are set to get off the dock, issue the following command. Count down from bow when ready. Remember we are timed on getting off the dock, so you have to be the one in charge and make sure you get off quickly otherwise you will be penalized. Make sure everyone knows who is doing what before you even step onto the dock. (ex: getting oars, doing oarlocks) On the water: Warm ups: Start with doing arms for around 10 strokes, or until everyone is in and out together. Then add in arms and back for another 10 strokes. Then add in 1/2 slide making sure that everyone is keeping the blade on the square for 10-20 strokes. Finally, add in the full slide with feather and have them do this for around 20-30 strokes, making sure they are focused on every part of the stroke. Turning around: There are two ways to turn the boat around, either have one side hold water and the opposite side row. There is also the river turn if you need to turn the boat in the same spot. Have one side do a normal stroke, then have the other side backrow. Keep alternating sides until the boat is turned around. Stopping the boat: Hold water/Check it down: Have everyone square their blades, and then bury them to slow the boat down very quickly. Use this command if you need to stop immediately. You can also say "weigh enough" then "let it glide". This takes longer to stop the boat, but the oars are resting flat on top of the water, with the rowers in the rest position. Other Miscellaneous Commands Weigh enough (Pronounced: weigh'nuff): Stop whatever you are doing immediately! About face: Do this when the boat is completely stopped and not moving. When you say "about face", all rowers switch directions they are facing (turn around in place, without letting go of the boat). Bow/stern acting as the pivot, Bow/Stern swing it left or right: All this does is helps you pivot the boat one way or the other while having one end remain in the same place. This is useful if you have a don't have a big open area to turn the boat. Side step to the left/right: Instead of walking the boat forward and trying to get to the left or right, this command enables you to move the boat to the left or right without moving forwards or backwards. Walk it forwards/backwards: To get your rowers moving, just tell them to walk it forward or backward.



Last Updated on Sunday, August 19, 2007 6:18 PM