What the Heck is a Coxswain?
A coxswain is an obnoxious, sadistic twerp with Napolean complex that sits in the stern of the boat. But besides that, a coxswain is an essential part of the boat, perhaps just as essential as the rowers themselves. A coxswain needs to be small. A coxswain needs to be loud. Those are the only two real requirements for being a coxswain. Sure a little boat knowledge would help, but really, that’s all there is to being a coxswain. Because of the fact that they just yell and steer, coxswains need to be light because they are just dead weight in the boat. A coxswain needs to motivate a crew. In the last 500 meters of the race, when all of the rowers are exhausted, it is the coxswain that the rowers depend upon for the motivation and the determination to win. The coxswain makes them add that little extra bit a of strength that they find deep down inside of themselves. Coxswains’ primary job is to keep the boat moving straight. If a boat can’t stay in the lane, it gets disqualified. Coxswains
