Rowing

A Guide to Coxing

Races

All races will have their own different rules so it is impossible for this section to be comprehensive. The hope is to provide you with an overview of the sort of situations you will encounter. Just as in pieces, during a race you must coach the crew and make tactical decisions as well as motivating the oarsmen and steering.

A few general pieces of advice:

• Before you arrive at the race familiarise yourself with the rules and regulations of the race including checking the position of the start and finish line.
• Make sure you know what time you are racing and therefore what time you will need to boat. Assemble the crew substantially before this to allow you to confirm the race plan. This extra time also gives you a safety net in case people assemble late.
• If the rules require you to wear race numbers then you must collect them together with safety pins. One will probably be attached to your back. The other to bow's back. Make sure that you fix your number to the top layer of clothing and that bow attaches his to his racing clothes (rather than any extra layers he may be wearing for warmth before the race).
• If the rules require, make sure you weigh in well in advance. If you have to carry weights then make sure you have these with you when you boat.
• Before boating check that each pair of shoes has heel-restraints and that your boat has a bow ball.
• Make sure you have your lifejacket with you and that your coxbox is fully charged.
• Check that all nuts on the boat have been done up securely.
• Once you have boated and are paddling down to the start, try to familiarise yourself with landmarks along the course which you might want to use for specific pushes. Check that you are certain of the location of the start and finish lines.
• During the race, keep the crew informed of the distance to the finish.
• At the end of the race you must clear the finish line. Your crew will want to collapse but you must bully them, otherwise you risk disqualification.

Almost all off-Cam events will be side-by-side races or head races. On the Cam you will also encounter bumping races and processional time trials (the latter only in the University IVs competition).

In side-by-side races, two (or more) crews will start level. While the cox manoeuvres the boat he should keep his hand in the air signalling to the race umpire that he is not ready. He should be aware that the race may start at any time if his hand is down and the crew should be prepared for this. When all hands are down, the umpire will call "attention" to warn the crews that the race is about to start and then "go" signifying the start. Each crew must stay in the lane or portion of the river (known as "station") to which they have been assigned. Failure to do so may result in disqualification. If you stray off your station you will be warned. If you are warned, you must act straight away but do not panic. Violent use of the rudder will slow you down considerably. During the race make sure you keep the crew informed of how they are doing in relation to other boats. You will expect them to be focused in the boat so you must "be their eyes". Do not wind down until you are absolutely certain you have crossed the line (i.e. you have heard a claxon, been told by an umpire to wind down or you are clearly 2 lengths over the line!) The first crew to cross the line wins.

In head races, crews are set off at set time intervals (e.g. 30 seconds). You start rowing significantly before the start line. The time you cross the start line is recorded as is the time you cross the finish line. Crews are ranked simply in order of their total time. You can steer whatever line you choose so you must make careful use of the stream and cut corners (unless that takes you completely out of the stream). If you are going with the stream (or with the tide) you should aim to be in the middle of the river. If you are travelling against the stream (or the tide) you should be close to the bank and on the inside of the corners. Unless you are very familiar with the river you should watch a video of the course if one is available. It is also helpful to look on the internet for guidance and to discuss the best line with other coxes. It is very important that you have clearly defined race plan because you will not have a crew next to you to work off. However, if a crew closes on you try to push off them. If you move towards the crew in front try to overtake them quickly. This will demoralise them and give your crew a boost. It is important that you check the rules on overtaking and being overtaken because in each event the rules will be different. Usually the crew being overtaken must surrender the racing line, but this is not always the case. Start your cox box timer as you cross the start line. Your timer will probably not agree with the official time but it should be close and will give you a rough idea of your progress along the course which you can compare to times in training.

In processional time trials two crews are set off simultaneously from start lines spaced a set distance apart. They then race to two separate finishes which are the same distance apart. Your approach should be the same as in a head race, however, because you have only one opponent, it is important to give the crew an idea of how you are performing relative to your opposition.

Bumping races are the highlight of the Cambridge rowing calendar. They are also the most complicated form of racing. Crews line up with one and a half boat lengths between them. When the gun goes, crews race and try to hit the crew in front. If you succeed then both you and the crew you have "bumped" are out of the race. You swap places in the start order the following day. One year's finish order is the next year's start order. If a College is consistently strong, year on year, then they might be able to bump all the way up to end up "Head of the River". This is the ultimate aim. It is worth bearing in mind that a "bump" is defined as any part of the boat (including people and oars) making contact with any part of the boat ahead. You can also bump by overtaking the crew in front or by rowing past their starting station if for some reason they do not start. For a much more detailed guide to bumping races, go to our bumps introduction.