Despite what many believe, a coxswain is not just responsible for steering a course during a regatta. To become a successful coxswain and guide your boat to victory on race day, you must constantly be on alert and pay close attention to the minute details that can make or break a race. Even the smallest inefficiencies in a stroke can be the difference between a first-place finish and a devastating loss on race day.
Theo Quan, the B3 coxswain, explains. “I need to give my undivided attention to every movement in the boat,” he says, “so I can maximize the power my boat generates with every stroke while maintaining boat speed.” While a rower can push themselves to their absolute limit, without a coxswain’s guidance, they will never be able to optimize that effort and reach their full potential.
Coxswains even take on a coaching role during practice; with 8 to 16 rowers to manage at a time, coaches can only commit so much attention to every rower. “A cox acts as a second pair of eyes on the water and makes sure the proper feedback is being given,” says Alex High ‘25. Beyond giving physical feedback, coxswains have a massive responsibility to create a healthy team culture and push rowers past their mental barriers. Standing next to ergs, coxswains are there to uplift their rowers to go farther, even when they think they are reaching their limit. “There are some rowers that have told me that without one of my fellow coxswains or I standing behind them on the erg, a PR would seem impossible,” says High. With the dedication of our coxswains, SPS retained the Davis Cup this season and had a great showing at the New England Interscholastic Rowing Association races.