COXSWAIN (via Wikipedia)
In a crew the coxswain (or simply the cox) is the member who sits in the stern facing the bow, steers the boat, and coordinates the power and rhythm of the rowers.
The role of a coxswain within a crew is to:
- Keep the boat and rowers safe at all times by properly steering the boat (according to the river or regatta rules and safety for the crew)
- Be in command of the boat
- Coach the crew when the coach is not present
- Provide motivation and encouragement to the crew
- To provide feedback on the crew performance both in and out the races
- Make any necessary tactical decisions
- Organize and direct the crew at all times, including when putting the boat away etc.
- Be responsible for the vessel; in the event of a collision, the coxswain is accountable under maritime law as ‘Master of the vessel’ (although the stroke may be sometimes the captain of the boat).
LOL!! Does this little coxswain fulfill his job description?
She could be better. She certainly provides motivation and encouragement. The other stuff, not so much, for example, she always seems to disappear when it’s time to put the boat away. I recruited her because of her weight, to tell you the truth.
Very informative.
I’m afraid my dog would need additional lessons… and visuals.
Perfect. If anything goes amiss, the coxswain is responsible. Right? Who could get mad or argue with her?
I think kisses, tail wagging and enthusiasm could be viewed as feedback on the crew performance. Sort of like saying it was terrific fun!!
I have always admired this sport over the years and wished I had the chance to do it. Last year I looked on the internet to see if there were any teams for women over 50 in Connecticut that train you. I was not able to find any.
Ann, do you know of any? It is something I would like to look into.
It sures looks like you have the best time with all your animals. Dogs are the greatest and such company. Love the picture.
Stephanie,the answer is yes, there are several rowing clubs in CT. Where do you live? There is a 50 and older division which is very exciting to me and actually has me looking forward to turning 50 (though that’s many, many, many years away) so that I can be the youngest in the division and maybe win a race. Or not even win, just being the youngest in anything is exciting to me at this point. There are clubs in many of the towns along the sound, there’s one in New Milford, which is close to me. Just google CT rowing clubs.
I live right in the middle of the state, Southington, which makes it easy to travel anywhere. I probably didn’t put the exact, correct words into google. I will check it out.
Thank you Ann,
Stephanie
Holly is the perfect coxswain! Not her job to put the boat away…..
I have received several emails scolding me for not having a life vest on Holly. I thought all dogs could swim. Every dog I’ve ever had could swim, but apparently, some really can’t. Now I’ve been scouring the internet for an extra small doggie flotation vest, but they’re all so bulky and hot-looking. Does anybody have any recommendations? I think until I get one, I will at least put a harness and leash on her so that if she goes overboard, I can pull her up.
Ann, I know Ruff Wear makes flotation vests for dogs. They come in many different sizes. I have seen these coats on dogs, and they have a handle on the back, so the dog can be picked up out of the water. Looks like a pretty good idea to me.
REI, a sports/outdoor equip store in Norwalk, has numerous dog life vests for sale. Along with a ton of other really cool, fun stuff!
Holly is so darn cute!!
She just knows where it is at.
And she is fearless…” if mommy does it, so do I”, and I shall look pretty for the camera too!.
I still smile a lot when I look at the photos of the times she was really little….
I suppose a vest would not hurt and she would even let you do it, as she did with the hoodie… sweet pea…
LOVE this picture! Holly looks so at home on the water.
A couple of other tidbits (I actually know a little bit about rowing, as my brother was a coxswain for one of the freshmen crews at Boston University in the mid-1960s):
Because every pound of “excess” weight slows down the boat (technically, a “shell”) as it glides through the water, the coxswain is typically the smallest, lightest person on board. The coxswain also uses a megaphone (or other voice amplification device) to bark orders to the rowers.
I think Holly is good to go….
Better Holly onboard – than Gomer, but then again – he could pull you across the lake when you get tired. Holly could ride him back
So many possibilities!
Another good reason for doggie life jackets…they are usually brightly colored, making the dog easier to see in the water. Besides, even the good swimmers can get tired. If you’re ever looking for a jacket for Gomer, I still have the one that my Leo used. He was my baby, and as much as I loved having the huge guy, I don’t think I could afford ever having another.
Gomer is a serious swimmer. I can’t imagine putting a life vest on him.
Does REI carry dogggie megaphones? Do they have megaphones that match the doggie life jackets? Holly would want a coordinated nautical outfit I think. Maybe with a cap and sunglasses.
The leash is actually *not* a good idea because it can get caught & trap the dog – worse case scenario would be on the motor of a boat. If something were to happen leaving you unconscious or impaired, you wouldn’t be able to pull the dog back into your boat and she might not have enough strength to swim back to shore. Which is why life vests are recommended.
I always veer to the extremely cautious side because otherwise I’d be worrying and not able to enjoy myself. But the truth is plenty of dogs ride on and even live on boats w/o incident. Use your best judgement depending upon weather and other traffic on the lake. You’re a mom, I’m sure you have really good instincts!
Rowing looks like so much fun. I want to get one of those pedal-powered Kayaks you told me about; then Luke will need a vest, too
I just love Holly….
TOO CUTE!!!!
Holly does not seem afraid of the water and I bet she swims fine — if the water is not too cold, but in case of an accident she may not want to leave you so you or she could have a hard time if the water is too cold so both of you may want to invest in a personal flotation device. There is a neat one by Critter’s Inflatable, LLC, which has a handle on top but isn’t too constricting for the dog.
However, I am more worried about you because of the temperature of the water. I’ve spent enough time with the Coast Guard to know they want everyone on the water to wear a personal flotation device, but federal law does not require it on manually propelled vessels. But, from Oct. 1 to May 31, Conn. does require a PFD, so might as well get one too.
I’d be hard pressed to find
in the back of my mind
a coxswain more jolly
than she we call Holly
Cute poem Catherine
Thanks Mary. That cute Holly makes wax poetic – ha.
Adorable!
Clever, Cat! ‘just catching up on the blog.
Hi Ais!
Ann,, hmmm you aren’t wearing a life vest either,, you really should have one on as well as Holly.
I love it….Head of the Charles for both of you. People might not think of impairment without your recent escapades.
Lol.
Good grief, every time I start to feel that I am learning about kayaking, someone throws me a loop…like, what type of boat is that?? I’ve used several types of kayaks, but what is that? So confused. Will never become a pro this way…
On another note, I recently learned that not all dogs can swim. Who knew? I’ve always had big dogs, that would rather swim than eat.
So yes, get Holly a vest. She looks adorable, but her little legs might be hard pressed to get her back to shore, and run into the “eye sore” and find your EMS radio, dial up Bernie, and bark for help when you are floating around half dead.
And also, the leash thing is a bad idea. Denise is correct. So many things can go wrong, and drown poor sweet Holly.
Perhaps get in the pool with Holly and see if she can float around. Then you’ll have a better idea.
WE ALL LOVE HOLLY!!
P.S. Just read the last blog piece about Mark. I think that is my all time favorite bit of writing, Ms. Ann.
Please, some pictures of Gomer swimming! Love him, miss seeing him!
Life jacket for your doggie:
http://www.sportsunlimitedinc.com/ruff-wear-big-eddy-float-coat-dog-life-jacket.html?kw=ruff-wear-big-eddy-float-coat-dog-life-jacket&CID=CSE-amazon