Role of the Coxswain

One of the highly debated subjects of the coxswain's role within the crew is what is the purpose of a coxswain?

From an outside perspective a coxswain is described as the "cheerleader within the boat." They're equipped with a microphone and speakers to dictate motivation to the crew during races. Another role people describe is steering the boat; either sitting at the front or the back and steering the boat since all the rowers are facing the opposite direction.

While we know some of this to be true, and some of it to be false, and along with many other responsibilites that comes with the title coxswain; the main purpose for a coxswain is to make everyone else's life easier. 

I know I just simplified everything we do into one sentence but it's the truth that so many of us often forget. As you get up to higher levels of rowing and rowers are getting more experience in small boats, the ugly truth is that they are perfectly capable of steering a boat without us. They can also motivation themselves, run drills themselves, and PR all without us.

This week I got the pleasure of coxing for a visually disabled mixed four. Even with their disability they row in blind boats (not intended to be punny, just boats without a cox) and earlier this year rowed a double in the Head of the Charles without even being able to see the course. When I got asked to cox them I was really nervous since I had no idea what they were going to be expecting of me. But they weren't looking for me to give them magical motivation or technique calls that were going to fix all the boats problems. They were just looking for someone to steer, run the workouts, and communicate with the coach -- someone who would make their practice easier.

Don't get me wrong, coxswains are a huge part of the boat. From fixing technique to giving that extra push during a workout, coxswains DO have an impact within the boat. But what I'm saying is that when you do these "extra" things and forget why you're there, thats when you'll be running into issues. All too often people forget their role and whether it's getting too into the piece and forgetting about your course or not following the coaches instructions, that's when you're making it harder on your rowers.

Rowing is hard enough as it is, lets not make it even harder on ourselves by going off target and forgetting the basics.

Reach for the Summit 2

"Hard work is hard work. But the results of hard work are fun. They're rewarding. People ask our kids all the time, 'Why go to Tennesse? It's so hard.' The answer is, because the process leads to greater rewards."

In rowing, like most other things, there are many uncontrollables. However, the level of which you work is within your control. The only one who knows how hard you work and can force you to complete it is you. You are the driving force behind every workout and every extra effort you put in. Hard work isn't fun but the results will be. It's hard to go into training now, knowing that racing season is so far away. It's easy to let yourself slip and not put in your full effort if you aren't seeing results now. But something I can promise is if you put in the effort now the results will be there. You'll see it in your attitude, in your confidence, and in your approach to all future training.

With hard work and dedication comes the confidence that you believe success will be sure to follow. 

"Belief in yourself is what happens when you know you've done the things that entitle you to success. Real confidence is not groundless. It is based on everything you've practiced all year long. It's based in your experience and how much homework you have done." -Patt Summit

Believe in your work and believe in the process. Hard work will pay off in more ways than trophies.

Statement

"if you constantly push yourself to the limit there are no limits"

Reach for the Summit

"Here’s how I’m going to beat you . I’m going to outwork you. That’s it. That’s all there is to it. You’ve just learned my most valuable secret. It’s not that exciting, I know. You were hoping for some mystery, or witchcraft. The problem is, there is no great intangible quality to success. It’s not a gift people are born with, or a touch, or a talent, or a knack. It’s a simple matter of putting your back into it ...But I can tell you this: The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender. Tennessee wins because, in the end, our players feel they have worked too hard not to.” -Pat Summitt

If anyone doesn't know who Pat Summitt is she holds the record for the most all-time wins for a coach in NCAA basketball history and has never had a losing season in her 38 years of coaching. If anyone knows anything about success it would be her. Recently, I have started reading her book on success called Reach for the Summit, where she talks about the concept of outworking the competition. 

How simple, yet powerful, of an idea it is. Imagine going out to any race against any competitor, and already knowing that you have put in more meters, more work, and more time than they have. Imagine the confidence you would gain by knowing you have trained harder. 

Effort dictates results. What are you doing today that your competition field hasn't began to do? Or better yet, what are they doing that you're NOT? Figure it out, and change it now. If something is going to separate you from the competition do not let it be under working. Think about last season and use it as motivation. If you didn't do as well as you thought you could; step it up, if it was your best season yet; get working again to make next years' even better. 

Last season is over and everyone is in fair game for the next one. Time to get going and start working before your competition does, because trust me, I know I already have. 

The Value of Marginal Gains

In everything you do there is always room for improvement; even if it’s as little as 1%. Small gains are what add up to make the larger improvements, and gradually increase over time.  1% is what gets rid of the bad habits, turns them into good, and then evolves into a permanent change. Many people like to overlook the small efforts or try to take the easy way around solving issues and improving. 

“It’s easy to overestimate the importance of one defining moment and underestimate the value of making better decisions on a daily basis.” 

Every habit is the result of many small decisions over time and the sum of small choices add up.  1% can be as little taking the stairs or drinking a glass of water with your breakfast, and as the days add up these little actions create a larger ripple affect. 

Success is a few simple disciplines, practiced every day; while failure is simply a few errors in judgment, repeated every day. —Jim Rohn

Think about it this way; if you were do to something 1% better every day how far apart would that separate you from your competition? 

(the original article I quoted from is http://jamesclear.com/marginal-gains and I highly suggest reading through his other published works)