The Coxwain’s Responsibilities

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 626, 1 April 1929, Page 7

The Coxwain’s Responsibilities

VERY -MLCII move responsibility rests with the coxswain of a racing eight than. is generally appreciated by the uninitiated, whose idea, no doubt, is that he has only to puli his starboard line or his larboard line according to the direction in which it is necessary to steer the boat. There is ranch art in the simple act o? steering, but the coxswain has much more than this to consider. He often takes the place of th 9 coach, and particularly during the actual race it devolves upon him to call on members of the crew to rectify faults, to encourage them in the struggles, and to

keep the stroke oarsman acquainted Trith the positions of the rival boats should they be leading or about level ■with his own. A good coxswain has » great deal to do with the steadiness of the boat. When he wishes to alter the course he takes care to pull on the rudder lines between strokes. Pulling on the lines during a stroke leaves a wash behind find tends to roll the boat, from which it may take quite a while to recover. The coxswain must cultivate promptness and decision. At the full speed ;of a racing eight there is but little , time for reflection on the course to be taken, if an obstacle should sudden ly cross his boat s water.