Coxswain Information

by | Apr 11, 2025

The coxswain is an essential part of the boat, just as essential as the rowers themselves. The coxswain’s primary job is to keep the boat moving straight. In addition to steering the boat, the coxswain helps the crew keep the cadence, calls out instructions and the stroke rating. If the boat can’t stay in its lane, it gets disqualified. Coxswains steer the boat by making minor corrections in the direction of the rudder. If a boat is leaving its lane, the official behind it will wave a flag at the coxswain. The coxswain is also responsible for the safety of all rowers and the equipment in the boat.  

During the race, besides steering, the coxswains need to keep their wits about themselves and control the pace of the boat. They do this by using their cox-box, which tells them the current stroke rate. If it is off the race pace, then they will tell the stroke to control the rate and bring it back to race pace. A coxswain also needs to motivate the crew, especially in the last 500 meters of the race. When all the rowers are exhausted, it is the coxswain that the rowers depend upon for the motivation and the determination to win. The coxswain helps them find that little extra bit of strength down deep inside.  

The coxswain must be a good communicator. A list of coxswain’s commands used during a race and water training is given in the next section. All coxswains should know these commands before racing. Besides the basic commands, a coxswain must be able to motivate the crew. Tell them where they are in a race, “200 meters left to go, pick it up for ten!” Tell them where the competition is and give them encouragement, “we’re riding their stern, get me up there! Pull ahead, you have the ability!” And a coxswain must stay calm during the entire race and sound confident.  

Rowers can help the coxswain by being attentive and keeping their heads and minds in the boat. When rowers are looking around, oftentimes they tend to react to what they perceive to be a judgment error on the part of the coxswain. It is also important for rowers to keep their heads physically in the boat as well. Swinging those 5lbs of weight around can disrupt the set of the shell. Rowers need to trust their coxswain to tell them where the other crews are positioned. On the rare occasion the coxswain finds the boat in a dangerous position, he/she needs to know that the crew trusts them and will respond immediately to his/her calls.  

After a race, congratulate the winner, and thank the losers for a good race. 

Maintenance  

  • Make sure all trash and personal items are removed from the boathouse after each practice.  
  • Coxswains are responsible for the proper care of the equipment by all rowers.  
  • All boats must be wiped down after each row and all equipment returned to the boathouse.  
  • The coxswains must immediately report damage to any equipment (boats, oars, parts, etc.) to their Head Coach.  
  • Parts must not be removed from any boat. If a boat is discovered that needs repairs before it can be rowed, it must be placed on slings and repaired or placed back on the racks with a sign describing the damage and stating it must not be rowed.  
  • The coxswains are responsible for assessing the safety of the equipment (e.g., bow balls, riggers tightened, shoe safety straps, etc.) and report any infractions to the head or assistant coaches. Unsafe boats are not to be rowed.  

Practice Checklist  

  • Pick up and return the assigned box for plug in every practice.  
  • Have boat-specific tools and med kit onboard.  
  • Have rowers check nuts and bolts before every launch.  
  • Notify Head Coach of repairs needed. 

Race Checklist  

The following checklists covers most of the things that a coxswain and team captains need to remember.  

Launch and Warm up 

  • Check in with the dock master or control commission; if there is a problem, report it at once and write down the official’s name to which you reported the delay.  
  • Recheck bow number one last time and make sure the bow ball is okay.  
  • Carefully follow normal warm-up pattern  
  • Be very conscious of races on the course; stop to let them pass if you are near them to avoid a warning.  
  • Follow traffic pattern religiously.  

Start of Race 

    • Know the various starting commands.  
    • Be at the starting area 5-8 minutes before the race and, if possible, get there with time to spare and focus.  
    • If you are late and permission has been given, don’t panic your crew on getting to the line.  
    • If possible, listen to the starter’s voice and cadence for the previous race to get a sense of how he or she will call your race.  
    • Check in with the referee or marshal; identify yourself and race; this is very important in large regattas.  
    • Be locked on to stake boats with three minutes to go, if possible; get sense of wind at start.  
    • On raising hands: vigorously wave bow hands only.  
    • Check the position of your rudder especially after you have backed in.  
    • Know exactly how to scull bow around; check on where you want blades depending on current/wind.  
    • Acknowledge any warnings from the starter.  
    • Remember, the movement of the flag starts the race, not the voice of the starter.  

    During the Race 

    • Know your own lanes and others on buoyed and non-buoyed courses and when you are out of your “home” water.  
    • Interference and fouls; leaving your lane; others leaving theirs 
    • Be mindful of the referee’s commands and flags: white and red flags. 
    • Be careful with steering and avoid oversteering.  

     The Finish 

    • Make sure you have crossed the line; finish buoys or flags are usually beyond the line.  
    • Be aware of the things the referees need to do at the finish: safety, weight, time, look for protests, certify race with white flag. 
    • Check the rower’s well-being and look for trouble signs.  
    • Understand when to leave the finish; filing a protest on the water; withdrawing of a protest.  
    • Filing a Protest 
    • Understand all the actions necessary to file a protest. 
    • File a protest, if and only if you have given verbal notification on water to the referee of your race; A signed written form of the protest must follow usually within an hour of your reaching land stating the problem and remedy sought. 
    • After the filing of a valid protest, the jury can accept, reject, order a new race, or order a change in the finish order.