The definitive guide to coxing leadership, race-day strategy, and crew psychology.
Are You Ready to Own the Seat?
Steering straight and calling the right commands is the easy part. The real work of a coxswain happens in the seconds before a call — reading a crew’s fatigue, building trust stroke by stroke, and making the tactical decisions that decide a race long before the sprint begins.
Beyond the Call is for coxswains who want to go beyond the basics — from your first seat in a novice boat to calling a national final.
Written by Guy Besley — award-winning coxswain, international age-group triathlete, and host of The Coxswain’s Journey podcast — this book blends athlete psychology, coaching insight, and years of race-day experience into a guide that goes beyond steering and commands to examine what truly makes a coxswain exceptional.
More than a good read, it’s a working manual — a training and educational resource coxswains and clubs can come back to season after season, whatever your level.
Inside the Series
Volume 1: Foundations of Coxing
The definitive manual for mastering essential coxing skills.
- Complete coverage of core skills — steering, safety, course navigation, race preparation, and crew motivation
- Real-world examples and proven strategies from championship racing
- Step-by-step guidance on decision-making under pressure
- Practical techniques for training sessions and race-day execution
- Insights on working with Juniors, Masters, Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed crews
- Mental preparation and visualisation tools
- A comprehensive glossary of rowing terms
Volume 2: Beyond the Basics
The companion to Volume 1 — challenges convention and digs deeper into the realities of coxing.
- Advanced discussion of stroke rate, stroke length, sculling vs. sweep, and performance metrics
- Exploration of the psychology of fatigue, pressure, and motivation in competition
- Honest reflections on coxswain weight, training culture, and the balance between amateur and elite sport
- Broader insights drawn from years of multi-sport experience, not just rowing alone
- Provocative ideas designed to spark discussion, challenge assumptions, and inspire growth
- A focus on the leadership, courage, and trust that define genuinely great coxswains
Together, these volumes form a complete resource for coxswains at every level — part manual, part conversation, and part reflection on what it means to lead a crew.
Who It’s For
- New coxswains building a foundation in steering, calling, and communication
- Experienced coxswains refining leadership and in-race execution
- Rowers moving into the coxing seat
- Coaches and clubs developing coxswains at every level
Choose Your Edition
📚 The Complete Two-Volume Edition
Both volumes in one book — Foundations of Coxing and Beyond the Basics together. The complete package for coxswains serious about mastering every part of the craft.
- 📚 Paperback: amzn.asia/d/0dpk4sqi
📕 Volume 1 — Beyond the Call
Not ready to dive into the full guide? Start here with Foundations of Coxing — everything you need to own the seat.
- 📚 Paperback: amzn.asia/d/08mr6EVZ
- 💻 eBook, click below
Keep Learning
- 🎙️ The Coxswain’s Journey podcast — listen on Spotify
- 🌐 Join the community — www.thecoxswainsjourney.com
Own the Seat. Lead the Crew. Win the Race.
Get your copy today and become the coxswain your crew needs.
