Coxing Competencies
Summary
This page attempts to summarise the basic competencies that you, as a cox, should be able to demonstrate, as you progress from a complete novice cox to one who wishes to be upgraded to experienced (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.
This document is currently in its first draft - anyone who feels that this misses out a salient skill is encouraged to email secretary@ourcs.org.uk and help make this resource better. Better still, why not stand for OURCs Captain of Coxes?
The material below is split up in to seven areas; each area is divided into two sub-sections - "Minimum standards" 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. Accompanying each section is a "more information" spoiler box, which aims to expand on a point if required, in order that the main list is kept as concise as possible. Any point that leads on to the spoiler box is appended with a bracketed number
1. 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
- Show awareness of other crews who may also wish to use the pontoon by "walking" the boat up/downstream (1)
- Be able to spin a boat around, taking care of both ends and ensuring that no passers-by are endangered
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 (2)
2. 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 adustment to your boat's direction 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
Going beyond
- Gain an appreciation of how to account for poorer river conditions, such as high wind and high stream (3)
- Through efficient use of rowers holding it up, negate the need to reposition the boat when stationary (4)
3. Rowing acumen
Minimum standards
- Know 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 your stroke, what's behind you
- To be able to pre-empt potential hazards and take action early (5)
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
4. Boat manoeuvres
Minimum standards
- Know how to safely undertake the following manoeuvres:
- Pushing off
- Landing unaided (6)
- 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
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
5. 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
Going beyond
- Gain a repertoire of coxing drills
- Pick up on more subtle flaws in bladework, and suggest exercises to remedy them
6. 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 skillful 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 (7)
- Know how to report an incident
- Gain an appreciation of how races are marshalled and umpired, and to follow marshals' instructions
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
7. OURCs Events
Minimum standards
- Know which rules change during events
- Understand the circulation pattern during IWL and Bumps races
- Know how to safely bump crews and to subsequently move out of the racing line
- Know how to spin on to a bungline
- Gain an appreciation of how races are marshalled and umpired, and to follow marshals' instructions
Going beyond
- Be able to adhere to the racing line
- Know how to get the most out of your crew
