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Going West…
By Laura Simon, Foundation for Rowing Education
Coxswains are some of the most critical members of any crew.
At any regatta, the lack of mayhem is in the hands of the cox. As is our safety. Yes, the referees are most needed and appreciated, but watch a novice coxswain throw a wrench into the works…
So let's take a huge regatta, days of racing and events for juniors and collegiate crews, masters too, and if it is a regatta only of eights? Hmmm. The importance of having smart, savvy coxswains is even more critical. Imagine "pick up sticks" on the water, no steering, no logic. Getting into stakeboats? Staying in lane? Help! We all appreciate the smart coxswain.
So when a regatta as large as the San Diego Crew Classic asked if we'd like to present workshops at their April event, we jumped. The event is legendary, fun, (did we say HUGE?) exciting, broad and, in California. For those of us on the east coast and especially in the north, we really jumped. It has been snowing and icy, cold and bone chilling in the Northeast. California and racing? You bet.
Frank Biller of NK and Laura Simon, Coxswain, coach and Director of Coxswain Education for the Foundation for Rowing Education, traveled to San Diego a few weeks ago, and worked in concert to educate coxswains all weekend long.
We held workshops, answered questions, handed out treasures galore. Hundreds of coxswains (from the very newbie-novice to the old-hand masters) stopped by to bask in the attention. "Wait a second…you are spotlighting us, the Coxswain?" they asked? Yes. We did. And are.
In San Diego, at the site, Frank and Laura (NK and FRE ) spent from 0'dark-thirty at dawn to way past dinner answering questions, critiquing audiotapes, demonstrating gear, handing out bumper stickers and generally having a blast. ZLAC rowers and coxswains assisted all weekend, which was generous and great fun.
We offered workshops on: the Eight Fundamentals for Racing, Stakeboats, safety, wind, and of course, how to use the new Cox Box. We demonstrated the equipment, spoke about its care and handling, (And yes, the new model floats.)
We gave a sneak preview of our newest joint venture, "The Coxswain Encyclopedia - From Racks to Racing," the ultimate Coxswain manual from the Foundation and NK. Two hundred pages of everything you need to know from Hands On to Finish line (hopefully with gold medals on your necks). Commands, voice control, and equipment from top nut to bow ball. Laura also helped the Crew Classic with their very thorough Coxswain's meeting and course orientation.
So here is our question for you:
When at a regatta, what would you like NK and the Foundation to do for you? Workshops?
What topics? Stakeboats? Sculling into the Start? Handling Wind? Strategy? Steering? Rules of Rowing?
What about audio analysis?
Please write and tell us how NK and FRE can be of service to you.
Contact Laura Simon, Director of Coxswain Education, Laura@rowingeducation.org
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