Summary
This page attempts to summarise the basic competencies that a cox, should be able to demonstrate, as they progress from a complete novice cox to one who wishes to be upgraded to X status. The competencies below try to be as prescriptive as possible, but no amount of reading is a valid substitute for getting out there and learning by being in a boat.
The material below is split up in to seven areas; each area is divided into three sub-sections - "Minimum standards", “On assessment”, and "Going beyond". It is expected that a cox that has just been promoted to X status is fully able to demonstrate all "Minimum standard" competencies and is aiming at fulfilling a few of the "Going beyond" competencies.
The “On assessment” section tries to reflect which areas in particular the assessor will be looking for on an assessment outing for an upgrade as it’s not always feasible to demonstrate all of the points in a single outing. For example, you won’t be able to demonstrate your knowledge of how to deal with a capsize if you don’t capsize. Accompanying most sections is a "more information" sub-section, which aims to expand on a point if required, in order that the main list is kept as concise as possible.
1. Safety
As a cox, you are in control of a vessel and so have legal responsibility. No matter what your coach may say (or shout!) at you, only make decisions that you are happy with. Novice coxes are required to have suitably experienced and skilful accompaniment at all times.
Minimum standards
- Be able to make a risk assessment before each outing.
- Ensure that your crew are suitably warmed up before undertaking strenuous drills.
- Have a plan of action in the event of capsize. Dress appropriately for your outing, and ensure your crew does the same.
- Be aware of signs of hypothermia/heat stroke in your crew.
- Know what to do in the event of an incident such as sudden injury or collision.
- Know how to report an incident.
On assessment
- Assess whether the conditions are safe for your crew to have an outing before boating, reassessing during the outing if conditions change.
- Conduct a safe outing at all times.
- Make decisions yourself, without relying on your coach or rowers to assist you.
Going beyond
- Know how to put someone in the recovery position.
- Be aware of the "Dr's ABC" protocol for attending an incident.
- Learn how to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
2. Boat transportation
Minimum standards
- Fully and independently command a boat off its rack, and on to the pontoon; and vice versa.
- Ensure that a crew can swiftly and safely enter and exit a boat.
- how awareness of other crews who may also wish to use the pontoon by "walking" the boat up/downstream.
- Be able to spin a boat around when coming out of the boat house and onto the raft, taking care of both ends and ensuring that no passers-by are endangered.
On assessment
- Safely and efficiently get the boat out of the boathouse and onto the water, and the crew into the boat with a minimum of faffing about.
Going beyond
- Understand the differences and the difficulties for rowers to carry the boat at different heights.
- Be able to rack a boat on trestles, understanding where the pressure points are.
- Modify racking procedures for rowers of different experience, gender and strength.
More information
- At congested pontoons, especially at Longbridges, it may be the case that two or more boats wish to put the boat out at the same time. If this is the case, you should liaise with the other coxswain; one boat puts the boat down, and bow/stern 4 immediately get in. The boat is then walked downstream, to allow the other crew to get their boat in. A similar process should be followed for multiple boats wishing to land, and ensures that as many crews can boat/land as possible in a given time.
- Depending on the strength and experience of a crew, they may find it difficult to lift a boat straight out of the water and up to heads. They may need to lift it to waists and then up to heads, or, particularly for novice crews, once at waists, rock the boat up to heads “on three". You should make similar provisions if a rack is especially high or low for a crew.
3. Basic commands and control
Minimum standards
- Confidently and unambiguously start and stop a boat.
- Be able to hold up a boat hard.
- Be able to steer a boat without either under- or over-steering, increasing or decreasing turn rate as required.
- Understand and respect the turning, accelerating and decelerating limitations of your boat and crew.
- Be able to control the speed and rate of your vessel, and subset of rowers taking strokes.
- Instruct rowers to take taps or back down to make small adjustments to your boat's position when stationary
- Understand navigation rules, and to tuck in to the correct side of the bank where appropriate.
- Remain in control of your craft, even at race pressure.
On assessment
- Safely start and stop the boat.
- Position the boat using taps from individual rowers or pairs of rowers when stationary.
- Steer using the rudder when moving at speed, and pressure changes from the rowers when moving too slowly for the rudder to have an effect.
- Steer well in all sections of the outing and at all boat speeds; warm up and slide builds, paddling and technical work, and race pieces and bursts.
- Keep to the correct position on the river
Going beyond
- Gain an appreciation of how to account for poorer river conditions, such as high wind and high stream.
- Through efficient use of rowers holding it up, negate the need to reposition the boat when stationary.
- Modify racking procedures for rowers of different experience, gender and strength.
4. Rowing acumen
Minimum standards
- Know which way the river flows and therefore which way is upstream and which way is downstream.
- Be able to name the various sections of the Isis, and understand rules that apply to each section.
- Be able to judge, to a decent standard, distances between boats using scales of metres and boat lengths.
- Gain a solid appreciation of the capabilities of your and other boats, including river traffic.
- Know where your bow ball is relative to other objects on the river, even though you can't see it.
- Learn, as second nature, how to know what is in front of you, in your blind spot, and through communication with your stroke, what's behind you.
- To be able to pre-empt potential hazards and take action early.
On assessment
- Know and obey the rules of the river.
- Know where you should be in each section of the river and stay in the correct areas, especially when spinning, going through the Gut, and being coached.
- React quickly and correctly to developing situations on the river, such as congestion, swans, or boats in unexpected places.
Going beyond
- Know the basics of how to disassemble, re-assemble and re-rig a boat.
- Be able to accurately judge distances during races, both side-by-side and bumps.
5. Boat manoeuvres
Minimum standards
- Know how to safely undertake the following manoeuvres:
- Pushing off
- Landing unaided
- Spinning at the Head
- Spinning at Longbridges
- Spinning at Haystacks
- Navigating the Gut
- Overtaking protocols
- Responding to other river traffic
- Stopping near the Head to be coached
On assessment
- Push off safely, checking the river is clear.
- Spin correctly and efficiently at the Head, Longbridges, and Haystacks, without impeding other crews.
- Transit the Gut correctly, keeping to the right side of the river.
- Overtake well, without crossing to the wrong side of the river or cutting too close to the crew being overtaken, and tuck back in a safe distance in front of said crew.
- Land safely unassisted by people on the bank.
Going beyond
- Teach your crew how to "scratch on".
- Know how to navigate a lock.
- Know how to spin an empty shell on water, if applicable.
- Be able to land a boat elegantly at higher speeds.
- Know how to land both upstream and downstream.
- Know how to undertake and when it is appropriate to do so.
6. Coaching and drills
Minimum standards
- Liaise with the bankrider to get the most out of your outing.
- Understand a decent amount of rowing terminology and jargon.
- Be able to determine basic flaws in your crew's bladework.
- Be able to explain drills and exercises (which your coach has requested) to your crew in a clear and efficient way.
- Understand how to give calls in time with the stroke.
On assessment
- Give clear, concise commands.
- Know where in the stroke to place the “Go” command.
Going beyond
- Gain a repertoire of coxing drills.
- Pick up on more subtle flaws in bladework, and suggest exercises to remedy them.
- Use the tone of your voice to assist in giving commands.
7. OURCs Events
Minimum standards
- Know which rules change during events.
- Understand and follow the circulation pattern during IWL and Bumps races.
- Know how to safely bump crews and to subsequently move out of the racing line.
- Gain an appreciation of how races are marshalled and umpired, and be able to follow marshals' instructions.
On assessment
- Be able to adhere to the ideal racing line.
- Know how to get the most out of your crew.
Going beyond
- Gain a repertoire of coxing drills.
- Pick up on more subtle flaws in bladework, and suggest exercises to remedy them.
- Use the tone of your voice to assist in giving commands.