Lessons from the coxswain's seat

A coxswain's job is simple: Maneuver a 60ft, 200lb, $55k boat around busy and often dangerous waterways, while listening to a coach's instructions (who is motoring along side in a small boat) whilst coaching and motivating a team of 8 athletes who are rowing so hard that some actually make themselves sick. And if you're in Seattle, it's probably dark and raining. Piece of cake.

Most non-rowers think of the coxswain as a loud mouth with a Napoleon complex who shouts commands. That's only partially accurate...

A loud mouth after a race

---

I was a nationally and internationally competitive coxswain for adult men's and women's crew teams for 10 years. It was a great way to establish lifelong friendships, get onto Seattle's gorgeous waterways, and develop my leadership and public speaking skills. Not to mention a habit of waking up way too damn early.

Humble. Unflappable.

Those are the words I use to describe a great coxswain, and they are the characteristics I've taken back into life. Humility and unflappability became the foundation of how I facilitate and coach.

Early mornings aren’t without reward

---

Humility
There is no place for ego in a boat, and no where is that more true than the coxswain's seat. After all, it's THE MOST uncomfortable seat in every. single. boat. The coxswain literally gets the leftover space that isn't being used by the rowers. But humility isn't just about being ok with bruises and getting splashed in the face. It's servant leadership at its finest.

When you do it right, the rowers get the credit.
When you get it wrong, you're the one to catch hell.

Imagine attending a conference where they keynote speaker screams at you and talks only about themselves. *SIGN ME UP*
Coxing - like public speaking - is more than just shouting commands. It's knowing which words are motivating, how to pull the team out of a rut, and when to shut the heck up. None of this is possible without humility.

I'm the slacker laying down INSIDE the bow.

Unflappability
I was not an easy-going kid, but I now have a reputation as the person who stays chill because it's all going to be OK. Coxing taught me how to stay calm, and project calmness, especially in the face of danger. Rowers face the rear of the boat (a.k.a. the stern) and they can't see what lies ahead. Rowers don’t like surprises and very last thing they need is their coxswain freaking out.

• Step 1: Breath.
• Step 2: Tell them what you see.
• Step 3: Tell them your strategy.

Whether it's an inexperienced coxswain about to push us into a bridge abutment, a stubborn flock of Canada geese, or a seaplane landing on the race course...

San Diego Crew Classic 2013

---

And with any luck, you’ll win a race and your reward is getting tossed in the drink.

Clearly my feet needed a wash

---

For a great article on the impact and importance of coxswains,
check out NPR's "The Secrets of the Coxswain."

Join me in the coxswain's seat for the 2012 San Diego Crew Classic
with the talented women of the ​Pocock Rowing Club.