The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Rowing coxswains: A voice of reason
01.25.2007 | Rowing
Texas Rowing is led across the water by a group of four fiercely competitive coxswains. But what exactly do these small, loud motivators do to help lead their respective crews? TexasSports.com recently sat down with this group of leaders to learn more about their background and their unique role on the team.
Those not familiar with the sport of rowing may wonder why the tiny, loud young lady at the back of the boat gets a free ride across the water when all she has to do is yell "Stroke, stroke, stroke!" -- yet being a coxswain is much more than that. The coxswain (prounounced kok-suhn) is the coach, pilot and motivator when the team gets out on the water. In a situation unique to sports, coxswains hold the key to succeeding in a physically grueling competition, while hardly exerting a muscle. To shed some more insight on this uncommon position in athletics, UT's four varsity coxswains took some time out of their schedules to sit down with TexasSports.com to let us know exactly what goes into being a coxswain.
Texas' four coxswains are freshman Annie Heiner (Madison, Wis.), sophomore Melissa Jensen (Houston, Texas), junior Katy Kemp (Sugar Land, Texas) and freshman Mary Cait McPherson (Brigantine, N.J.).
For those who don't know, what exactly is a coxswain's job?
Kemp: A coxswain's number one priority is to steer the straightest and safest course. The next big responsibility is to motivate the rowers to win a race. A coxswain must know her rowers and know the words to say to push them through a race. Rowers are extremely physically (and mentally) exhausted during a race, so my job is to be their brain when the pain takes over!
How did you get into being a coxswain?
McPherson: Well, I guess you could say it's in my blood. All three of my uncles rowed in high school and college and one of them coxed in college. My sister rowed in high school and coxed in college, and I loved to watch her race on the weekends. After watching for a few years I joined the club in 7th grade and have been coxing ever since.
Jensen: I found out about Texas Rowing from a flyer sent to my high school during my senior year at Cypress Creek High School (2005). I was never an athlete in high school, but I was interested in getting into better shape and trying new things in college. I spent the summer prior to my freshman year working out and expecting to row, but when I went to the tryout meeting for the novice team, then-varsity coxswain Katey Porter stood up to talk. She described the coxswain as someone small and loud who was a natural leader and could take control of the situation and be the "mom" of the boat. I have always been that figure my whole life, especially the small and loud part, so it was a perfect match for me!
What is the best or worst thing about your position?
Jensen: The best thing about being a coxswain is what happens in the middle of a race when you're totally in synch with your boat and then something you say resonates with your crew and you see them dig in a little harder and find that strength to get another seat and win. There is nothing like seeing them responding positively and knowing that you're making it possible for them to win.
Heiner: The worst part about being a coxswain is that it feels like everything is ultimately the coxswain's fault. It could be that we were confused about a workout in practice, didn't have a very straight course (when steering) or that one of the rowers gave up because our motivation wasn't what they needed. Another bad thing is knowing that because the coxswain steers wide around a turn or hits something, the team will not place as well as they should.
What have you learned from your experience as a coxswain?
Kemp: I think I have learned how to be a leader and take initiative. You have to when your job is to tell people what to do all the time!
McPherson: Of course I think you learn the basic concepts of teamwork on any team, but commitment is a big thing I've learned in rowing. You really have to be dedicated to your sport and your team to be at practice at 6:00 a.m. every morning, but I know there are about 40 other rowers going through the same thing.
What is one thing that people don't know about coxswains or rowing?
Jensen: I don't think anyone who hasn't been to a boathouse understands how hard we work. As soon as people hear you're a coxswain, they assume you just sit in the boat and say "row" over and over again.
Coxswains always have to be on their toes and aware of what's going on. You have to be intelligent and competitive, to know when and what needs to be said. You have to have a total understanding of rowing technique and be able to help your boat in hard times. Rowers work insanely hard and most people don't realize the time that goes into being a rower.
When done right, rowing looks fluid and easy, but so much effort is behind everything we do. It is not pretty in the boat. A boat is a fierce competitive machine of nine rowers exhausted and all dying to win. Rowing is not easy, and even if the team puts their all into every stroke it will not matter if the coxswain doesn't bring her 'A' game.
