We are fortunate to have been given access to the live recording from the 2016 Nationals (SG4X+) crew.
In this tape we hear the coxswain, Julia Crute, take her crew through the second semi final, achieving a respectable 4th place to gain a spot in the A Finals of the Sydney International Rowing Regatta.
Korowa had a solid stint in the Quad during the 2010’s making the A final in 2013, 14, 16, 17 and 19. Julia coxed the crew in 2016 and 2017 claiming a Bronze in the 2017 Nationals Sprint event with a respectable 1.41.42 for the 500m.
What I love about listening into the recordings is we can glean what went on in the boat and coxswains can really glean some great learning material.
Some key Takeaways:
- In the starting phase (3 minutes out out) as the crew is called into the “box” for the 2 minute call, Julia apears to be completely calm and relaxed.
- She is delivering strong, confident and sharp instructions.
- She is talking to her crew by name, not number (obviously harder in masters races when you are in different boats all the time).
- The crew then pulls onto the “finger” with 2 minutes to go, yet still everyone is calm, driven by a relaxed coxswain, of course nerves are extremely high and anxiety through the roof, yet the relaxed feel from the coxswain keeps all as relaxed as possible.
- Also worth noting, there must be a light crosswind as there is constant calls for touching it, yet all still remain calm, “Bodies up, Just relax” and “Breath” is said, no talking on the boat except the coxswain.
Then the Start:
- Instantly Julia’s voice changes, its “game on”.
- Straight away she is calling the stroke up!, she is calling on pairs (again by name), and alerting them to the surrounding competition.
- Through the middle stages she is using her voice to assist and control, rhythm and rate, this is a key thing Coxswains do; often they don’t even realise it, but its something you as a coxswain needs to learn to understand; you can bring rate up just with your voice.
- She focusses on keeping the crew invested during the brutal mid stages, this is of course vital.
- Yet still calling on stroke from time to time, no doubt to assist in executing the race plan and keep the stroke constantly focussed on every stroke.
The race is complete, and all calm is restored throughout the whole crew as they anxiously await the result to determine if they made the A final.
There are many more Takeaways, but this audio is certainly worth a listen, the race start is at 3.51 into the audio, but be sure to listen to the whole start.
Or listen on Spotify:
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