The City of Bristol Rowing Club

CITY OF BRISTOL COXING GUIDE

The Responsibilities of the Steersman or woman and the Coxswain

All persons steering a boat are responsible for the crew in their charge. Coxswains should comply with the following:

· Every coxswain shall be able to swim and to demonstrate that ability when called upon by the Safety Officer

• All coxswains shall wear a life jacket (conforming to BS3595 standard) or buoyancy aid of approved design, when the water both in training and in competition. Where coxswains are located in the bows of boats, care must be taken in the choice of life jacket to ensure that the coxswain is not restricted when exiting from the boat.

· All coxswains shall be able to satisfy their Safety Adviser that they are in good health with adequate vision and sound hearing. No-one who is subject to epileptic fits or blackouts shall steer a boat. In cases of doubt, medical advice should be obtained.

· Dress suitable for the prevailing conditions must be worn. Particular care should be taken to ensure warmth around the head, neck and lower back, wrists and ankles and the clothing should be water and windproof. Water resistant outer gloves are recommended but bulky and heavy clothing and "Wellington" type boots are to be avoided.

· Be aware of the dangers and symptoms of hypothermia. (See advisory notes on Hypothermia on the Safety Notice Board).

· Voice projection and radio communication equipment, when carried in the boat must be securely fixed to the boat, not the coxswain. Similarly, in competition, deadweights when required must not be attached to the coxswain.

· Steering a boat, in training or in a race is a highly responsible role. very often entrusted to young and inexperienced coxswains or rowers with little or no experience of steering. The steersman is responsible for the actions of the boat being steered. Commands have to be given and discipline exerted. The following represents the knowledge that the steersman/woman must develop.

Steers People must:

· Learn and use simple commands for boat control both on and off the water. Use them correctly, clearly and instinctively. Understand the basic commands and signals of other river users.

· Understand and carry out all safety procedures and regulations applicable to the water they use, especially those relating to right of way. power boats, sailing craft, etc.

• Understand and observe local navigation rules of the river or water.
• On unfamiliar water, become acquainted with local regulations and practices and of the existence, nature and location of particular hazards before going afloat.
• Be conversant with safely and rescue procedures in the case of an accident.
• Recognise and respect the rights and needs of other water users, especially anglers.
• Watch out for swimmers at all times.
• Watch out for unexpected floating objects.
• Know and have practised capsize and man overboard drills

What you should know before going on the water

· The cox's highest priority is the safety of the crew (including themselves) and other river users and the safety of the equipment. The stroke is responsible for the use of the boat but the cox has control of the boat both on and off the water. What you say, goes, so if you are not happy about any aspect of safety then tell the crew. On the water you are the eyes of the boat and must be aware of what's happening around you.

Safety precautions :

· Study the City of Bristol Safety Rules and the Map of the Docks. There are numerous hazards such as jetties and inlets which you must be careful of.

· Always wear a lifejacket. It is virtually impossible to capsize an eight or a four but you must wear a lifejacket just in case and also because you are uninsured if you don't.

· Until you feel confident (i.e. after a number of outings) only go out on the water with a coach or an experienced Stroke

· Make sure that you could get out of the boat in a hurry if you needed to - e.g. don't tie yourself up in knots with a coxbox. (Ideally you should not wear wellington boots in the boat as these can make swimming difficult - if available wear something warm but buoyant like windsurfing slippers.)

· During winter wear lots of layers - you can get very cold.

· Don't go out after dark unless you are experienced and have the correct lights

· Never go out if the river has been closed by the National Rivers Authority or in thick fog, in a very fast stream or with a high wind. As far as the latter is concerned, the river can be very deceptive - apparently calm in one part and treacherous around the next bend.

· Don't go out if the equipment is badly damaged

· When the boat is being carried or lifted in or out of the water, watch both ends of the boat and, in particular the fin, to ensure the crew don't hit anything and don't damage the boat.

· However remember that many other users are not qualified and as such do not know the rules. Many of these will not be able to stop in time. Thus always take availing action.

THE BASICS - the first few outings

The job of the cox can be split into three parts:

· Steering

· Giving commands

· Coaching (Covered later in this guide)

However it is not necessary to be familiar with all rowing terminology and commands before going out on the river as long as there is a coach going out with the crew or Stroke is relatively experienced. Neither is it necessary for a cox to be familiar with all the nuances of advanced steering or navigation, and effective coaching is only something a cox can do after years of experience.

· The most important part of the cox's job after ensuring the safety of the crew. This can only be learnt through experience and familiarity with the river. When you feel happy with the steering you can start to give commands. If in doubt, ask Stroke what to say or say nothing.

Steering

· Using the rudder

• Pulling the rudder string to the left turns the boat to the left (by pushing the stern to the right) and vice versa.
• Hold a rudder string in each hand with the rudder lines taut and the rudder straight.
• Only a very small movement of the hands is necessary. Steering an eight is like trying to drive a juggernaut from the back. Think ahead as far as possible and plan your course accordingly. Good anticipation and gentle corrective action that does not interfere with the run of the boat is the essence of good steering.
• Try only to use the rudder when the blades are in the water.
• Sit up straight and try to avoid moving. If the boat is unbalanced then it is up to the crew to try to correct it, not you, though at times it can be very difficult to ignore your instinct to lean out.
• Keep your eyes to the distance ahead, picking a fixed marker (tree, building, moored craft etc.) so as to be able to pick, and follow a straight course.
• If you need to look to the side (e.g. to judge proximity of adjacent craft) make it a very short (1 or 2 seconds maximum) glance and resume your look ahead. Longer looks to the side almost always result in an unwanted turn in that direction.

· Avoiding the use of the rudder

• Always try to set off straight without having to use the rudder. Ask for Bow or 2 to "Touch it. Go" before getting the whole crew to set off.
• If a tight turn is required for some reason, ask strokeside or bowside to paddle harder by saying :"Harder on strokeside (or bowside). Go." then when you are straight say "Together. Go".
• Spinning
• Remember only to spin downstream of bridges or obstacles unless you are absolutely sure there is no danger of being pushed onto the pier
• Always stop the boat first
• If spinning upstream point the boat out into the middle of the docks. If spinning downstream point the boat into the left hand bank (checking first that the river is clear).
• Usually you will want to spin anticlockwise which will require you to get bowside to paddle on and strokeside to back down: "Spin the boat. Bowside paddle on. Strokeside back it down. Starting with bowside (or strokeside). Are you ready? Go."

Giving commands

• Commands should be given in a loud clear voice.
• Refer to the crew as Bow, 2, 3 and Stroke (in a four) or Bow, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and Stroke (in an eight).
• Refer to sides of the boat as "stroke-side" i.e. usually the side which is the same side as stroke (cox's left) or "bow-side" i.e. usually the side which is the same side as bow (cox's right). ¹
• On the water half of the crew can be asked to do something by using "Stern pair/four" (the half closest to the cox) or "Bow pair/four".
• All crew members should wait for an order from the cox before proceeding. This is particularly important when the boat is being put in the water or taken out and also when you are turning or "spinning" the boat when on the water.
• Always state action required then "go" or make it quite clear how you will give an order before you give it.
• Two extremely useful phrases are : "Are you ready?" and " Next stroke" which both prepare the crew that there is a command coming up and "Easy oar" which stops the boat. Other useful commands are given within the following relevant sections.
• When on the water, try to time what you say with the catch and finish of the stroke. Think of two beats (catch, finish) and fit the words to this rhythm: "Back stops. Are you ready? Next stroke. Go."
• Always give the "go" at the finish so that the crew has time in the recovery to be ready on the catch.

o Occasionally stroke and bow are on not on their usual sides - this is extremely confusing and you are well within your rights to be confused! In this case ignore where stroke and bow are sitting. Strokeside is still cox's left and Bowside cox's right.

Preparing for an outing

• Make sure you are wearing a life jacket

o If you are using a coxbox check to see if it works while the boat is still on the rack.

o It is useful to ask before the outing what work it is intended to be done. If there is a coach with you then you don't need to worry too much as they will tell you as you are going along. If there is no coach you need to discuss the work first and ask questions about anything you don't understand. You may need a ratemeter or a stopwatch.

o Carrying the boat out of the boathouse

o You should stand at the end of the boat closest to the boat house doors so that you can direct and help with the carrying of the boat out of the boat house.

o To get the crew to stand by the boat give the command : "Hands on".

o To lift it, give the command : "Are you ready? Lift".

o There now follows a series of commands which become quite complicated depending which rack the boat is on. An experienced crew can take the boat out without too much guidance from the cox. See the next section for these commands when you are feeling more confident.

Boating

• Putting the Boat on the water

o Boats should always be put into the water with the bows pointing away from the Boathouse. Check the boat as it comes out of the boathouse to see if it needs to be turned round.

o To put the boat in the water an experienced crew can "throw" the boat : " Throwing the boat above heads. Bowside moving. Are you ready? Go." Then : "And in".

o Other crews may wish to do it in four stages : "Half turn. Riverside riggers up. Go." Then : "Strokeside under. Go." Then : "As she floats." Then : "And in".

o If the boat is to be put onto trestles so that the crew can do some faffing around (traditional for a large proportion of outings!) then the boat needs to be rolled over : "As she floats. Bowside (or strokeside) riggers coming up. Are you ready? Go."

· Getting into the boat

o Bowside (usually) have to hold their riggers while strokeside get in : "Bowside holding. Strokeside in. Go."

o When all of strokeside's blades are in the gates and pushed out on the water ask bowside to get in : "Bowside in. Go" while you hold a rigger half way down the boat.

o You get in when all the crew appear to be ready. Before doing anything else ask the crew to: "Number off when ready." They will shout "Bow, 2, 3" etc. up the boat to stroke.

o Check for traffic before moving off then say "Push off on bowside" to get the crew to push away from the bank.

o As you enter the Docks check for traffic.

Navigation :

· All use of the word ‘right’ below refers to right from the coxes seat, i.e. facing the direction of travel.

• The basic rule of the river is that craft should keep to the right.
• Keep a sharp lookout - overtake with care. Faster moving traffic must overtake by moving towards the middle of the river. Always look behind you before moving out to overtake.
• Craft in the navigation channel have priority over those crossing it but be prepared to give way to sailing craft
• If you think another craft has not seen you and are on a collision course call "ahead".
• Always "spin" i.e. turn a boat below a bridge or an obstacle to avoid getting washed onto it unless you can be absolutely sure that it is safe to turn above.
• Beware the pontoon itself during winter, as the surface is slippery and the front edge will tip into the water if a heavy crew gets near to the edge.
• Be aware that other crews may approach to land from your bowside (right, starboard) or directly ahead as you leave the pontoon.
• Never go past the pontoon toward the Cottage. Always keep towards the SS Great Britain.
• Pass oncoming vessels portside to portside (i.e. BOTH keeping to your respective right).
• Be alert through bridges. You must give way to all other non-rowing traffic. Be particularly careful under Princess Street Bridge where crews travelling towards the Boat House have right of way.
• Always row at light between Redcliffe Bridge and Bristol Bridge.
• Pass though the central arch of Bristol Bridge when going away from the boat house and through the right hand arch (that nearest the Glass Boat) when returning towards the club house.
• Keep to the right arch at the Tunnels, what ever direction you are travelling in.
• The narrow entrance to the feeder canal is too narrow for any sweep-oared boat to pass through without shipping oars.
• Be careful on the feeder since there is not enough room for two crews to comfortably pass each other. A number of fishermen tend to frequent this area. You must be considerate to them at all times.
• Under the last bridge, you will note that the right bank juts out at you. Stop just past here, as there is an opening on bowside that allows for easier turning of a long craft such as an eight. Sculls may go to the end by the lock and turn.
• At certain times and tides, you may proceed through Netham Lock onto the River Avon. An inexperienced cox may only do this with an experienced crew member who knows the water. Inexperienced steer people are not allowed to navigate beyond Netham Lock
• Sound signals may be given by other boats. These are:

Commands during the outing

· Warming up

o Ask the stroke how s/he wants to warm up. Often it involves half the crew sitting the boat and the other half moving up the slide, possibly with square blades. e.g.: "Bow pair, backstops, square blades, hands only. Are you ready? Go." Then "next stroke, body swing. Go" then " next stroke, quarter slide. Go" etc. moving through half slide, three quarter slide to full slide.

o After bow pair/four have got to full slide taking five to ten strokes at each slide position ask them to "easy oar. Drop" and repeat with stern pair/four.

o To get the whole crew rowing together you can either ask stern pair/four to stop rowing and get the whole crew to row together : "Backstops. Paddling light. Are you ready? Go" or you can ask stern pair to feather their blades : "Next stroke, feather. Go" and then get bow pair/four to join in by saying : "Bow pair, get ready to join in. Join in now."

o Increase the pressure by saying : "Next stroke, half pressure. Go"

o Give the crew one or more bursts of work by saying : "Get ready for ten firm. Next stroke, firm. Go"

o Some crews like to do five, ten, then fifteen firm with light or half pressure in between.

o On the penultimate stroke of each set say: "Next stroke, light. Go."

· General commands and counting strokes

o Whatever the pressure or work always set off by saying : "Backstops. Paddling light. Are you ready? Go." i.e. even if the crew wants to go firm start off light.

o After a few strokes call for half pressure then go into any stronger pressure rather than going straight from light to firm, say.

o Use your fingers to count strokes. If you have to call a change in stroke at the end of ten strokes which is not easily anticipated by the crew give them lots of warning. e.g. count six then say : " Get ready. Rating up two. Next stroke. Go" or some crews prefer (after five strokes): "Rating up two. In three. In two. In one. Go." Check with stroke which s/he prefers if possible.

o When you wish to stop, check behind for approaching boats, move towards the bank and say : "Next stroke, easy oar". Then say : "Drop". Reprimand crew for dropping the blades on the water before you wish them to as it can be useful to allow the boat to run on until it is in the position you want.

Navigation - anticipating other craft

• Navigate with consideration for other river users, including anglers.
• Show understanding to others when they are engaged in organised competition.
• Eights, coxless fours, quads, doubles and singles can move much faster than you might imagine. Make sure they have seen and heard you. If they have, you can usually aim to hold your own line as they will know what you are doing.
• Skiffs tend to travel quite slowly and need to be given a wide berth.
• Be particularly vigilant for craft that may not obey the simple navigation rules :

· Sailing craft - What speed? Are they tacking ? Is it a regatta?

· Day hire craft - They probably do not know the rules and may not be alert.

· Youngsters - They may not be experienced

· Uncoxed scullers - They are fast but not always vigilant

· Large pleasure boats and steamers who travel up and down the middle of the river.

· Canoes often stick very close to the bank going upstream and paddle in a row going downstream

· Craft moving out, crossing or turning including the ferry

Returning to the Club House

• Landing:

o Go in very slowly - you need time to make the turn and to check that no other boats are coming out

o For the last few strokes, ask Stroke to hold the boat us and get bowside to push their hands down to avoid them catching their blades under the edge of the hard.

· Getting out of the boat

o Ask strokeside to lean towards the bank and hold on to allow you to get out

o Hold a rigger in the middle of the boat and say : " Strokeside out".

o Get strokeside to hold their riggers : " Strokeside holding the boat, bowside out".

· Putting the boat away

o Usually the crew will put their blades away while you hold the boat.

o When the crew is ready, ask for : " Hands on. Lifting the boat above hands, on three. Bowside moving. 1,2,3".

o Or if the crew don't wish to throw the boat, say : " Hands on. Lifting to waists. Are you ready? Go." Then " Half turn. Riverside riggers up." Then "Bowside under. Go."

o The boat should be carried to just outside the boathouse, put on trestles, then washed.

o Then ask for : "Hands on. Are you ready? Lift. Half turn on bowside shoulders. Go." (This works for racks that are to the left of the rowers as they carry the boat in, otherwise strokeside shoulders.) Carry into the boathouse slowly keeping an eye on gates which might get caught on the ceiling and other boats as it is put back on its rack.

BECOMING MORE AWARE - commands for the first season of outings

· Taking the boat out of the boathouse

o Boats sitting on trolleys can be pulled out and crews can step over them to position themselves opposite their riggers before lifting.

o Boats being lifted off the top racks involve half of the crew moving underneath to get on the other side of the boat as it is lifted off. Experienced crews will automatically work out who needs to move - if not you will need to tell them what to do: look at the rigger closest to you which is sticking out into the boathouse. If it is bow's rigger then bowside need to move under so that they end up opposite their riggers. Otherwise strokeside move. Say "Bowside moving. Are you ready? Lift."

o With racks that are at waist height all the crew will need to stay on the same side until there is room to ask bowside or strokeside to move under.

o Boats will need to be carried out of the boathouse on the "half turn", i.e. with the riggers vertical. Again many crews will do this automatically. If not, say : " Half turn. Bowside (or strokeside) shoulders. Go."

o As soon as possible, give the command : "Level" to allow the crew to carry the boat at a more comfortable position. If needs be, the boat can be carried at different heights to avoid obstacles. To achieve this say : "Shoulders", ".Above heads. Go.", "Waists", "Up in the bows".

· Spinning

o In a tight place you might need to ask just one side to paddle on then to get the other side to join in e.g. "Bowside only, paddle on. Go" then "Easy there" then " Strokeside hold it" then Strokeside paddle on" then "Bowside back it down, spinning alternately. Go."

o A completely different technique involves both sides "chopping" the water together with bowside paddling on and strokeside backing down just using hands only.

o If there is a strong stream, then you will only need one side to paddle on while the other side holds the boat.

· Exercises

o What follows are just a few of the most common exercises. Every new coach or stroke is likely to have a repertoire of exercises that they particularly favour. Listen carefully to what they say and use these commands at a later stage. If you don't understand why a crew is being asked to do something then ask after the outing.

o If the command is quite complicated then explain what's going to happen first, then say " Get ready. Next stroke. Go" or "Get ready. Change. Go." Remember always to give the "Go" on the finish.

o Slide work: see Warming Up section but with whole crew. e.g. : "Whole crew. Backstops. Hands only. Paddling light. Are you ready? Go." This helps to get the crew swinging together, swinging before sliding and sliding together.

o Strong point rowing: "Three - quarter slide, three - quarter pressure. Are you ready? Go." This works on getting the catches together.

o Acceleration paddling: " Half pressure catch, three-quarter pressure finish. Next stroke. Change .Go." This is good for the finish and co-ordination.

o Square-blade paddling: " Get ready for square-blade paddling. Next stroke. Go." This is to get everyone working the finish together, drawing up, thinking about consistent hand heights and making sure the finish is coming out square.

o Alternate square-blade and feathering: (You need to really concentrate on the timing of the commands for this one!) "Get ready for alternate square blade and feathering. Next stroke, square blade. Go. Change. Go." etc.

o Single strokes: "Single strokes to hands away, bodies over. Are you ready? Go." This concentrates the minds on moving together and letting the boat run. It can be done to a variety of positions. You need to shout "Go" after a brief pause then after a while increase to two strokes etc. by saying : " Two strokes. Go."

o Changing hand positions: "Inside hand down the loom. Change. Go." "Hands together. Go." "Outside hand off. Go." "Normal paddling. Go." These get the crew to think about what each of their hands are doing and to draw the stroke through to the chest.

o Feet out paddling: stop the boat and ask the crew to take their feet out. This gets the weight onto the feet and gets them drawing through the finish together.

Work

Listen very carefully to what the coach or stroke want you to say and ask again if you're not sure what is wanted. There is nothing worse for both you and the crew than to get half way through a piece and not be sure what to do next.

Again what follows just covers the most common forms of work - the variation is endless.

• For timed pieces, check you have a stopwatch. Ask what sort of rating is expected. If the watch doesn't work or you forget to start it then you can count strokes.
• Check the pressure wanted. It is likely to be firm for 1-3 minutes or half/three quarter pressure for five -ten minutes. Steady state is about three-quarter pressure.
• Check whether a running start or racing start (i.e. stationary start) is wanted. For a running start, start off paddling light then say : "Build over five. Go." Count two then say : " Next stroke, firm. Go."
• If a short piece of work is in progress, give the time every minute: "One minute gone" . This however can be very depressing if there are nine more to go so for longer pieces give the time every two or four minutes.
• If the rating is about thirty, then the last ten strokes will be when there are 20 seconds to go. If in doubt always overestimate the number of strokes left. Say : "Last ten. Go"
• Tell the stroke at regular intervals what the rating is and if it's below what's being aimed for, ask her/him if s/he wants to take it up. If so : "Next stroke, rating up two. Go"
• Every so often if the pressure is going or concentration is being lost have a push for ten. This could be a push for ten on the legs, catches, finishes, length. Say " Get ready. Next stroke. Ten on the legs. Go." Most crews do not want you to count it. They can do that themselves if they wish. You must count silently however and could perhaps say : "Five more". At the end say : " Rhythm" or "Lengthen out" to let the crew know that the ten is over.
• A "Pyramid" is where the rating goes up two and the time goes down a minute then it is reversed e.g. five mins rating 28, four mins rating 30, three rating 32, two rating 34, one minute rating 36 and back down again. At the end of each time period say : " Get ready. Next stroke, rating up. Go."
• A "Castle" is where the rating goes up and down for fixed periods e.g. two minutes rating 26, two at 28 repeated a number of times.