Taking charge
A good coxswain makes the difference between success and failure.
A cox (short for coxswain) has to be a combination of coach, motivator, psychologist, race tactician, organiser, and – most importantly – be able to steer. In other words, it is a lot more demanding than just sitting in a boat and shouting while you pull the rudder cable. If you enjoy taking the lead or are a born motivator and tactician with a sense of direction and a willingness to learn, then it is a hugely rewarding role.
Coxing development sessions
We believe that, throughout Oxford colleges, coxes are generally not well supported. At MCBC we strive to be better.
Coxes at MCBC are not simply there to facilitate rowing outings. They are there to learn, improve, and refine their skills. Every outing has a focus for the rowers, and therefore it must have a focus for the cox too. It’s not about doing everything perfectly, it’s about developing each skill one step at a time.
Coxes’ training program
We run coxes training programs for both our novice and senior coxes. This involves presentations on rowing technique, training sessions, races, race plans, race calls, the rudder, manoeuvring, racing lines – everything you could think of, and all from the perspective of a cox. This also involves analysis sessions discussing world class cox recordings, as well as our own recordings. We also have more active sessions, bringing coxes to ergo and tank sessions to discuss everything rowing coxing related.
What is coxing at MCBC like?
Novice Coxing at MCBC involves learning the basics calls, manoeuvring, and steering. You may cox both senior and novice rower outings (since, in our experience, our senior rowers can help novice coxes develop very quickly). Whilst your crew develops their skills, you develop as a cox.
Novice coxes are also welcome to try out rowing, get involved with the land training alongside the rowers, join MCBC coxing development sessions, try out racing in both novice and senior crews, and more.
Senior Coxes at MCBC will often act like another coach, taking a lead role in crew development, feeding information about technique and boat speed to the crew, reminding the rowers about various changes that the coach is trying to make. Senior coxes may lead uncoached outings, cox/coach land sessions, lead race plan meetings in the build up to key races, and on race day, have authority over the structure of the day, the warm up, and the race.
Alongside this, we endeavour to give our senior coxes the space and time they need to develop their own skills from the coxing seat.
Do coxes attend less sessions than rowers?
It depends. In the novice squad, all our members choose their training by signing up, on a session by session basis. We facilitate our most eager members training multiple times a week, as well as our more casual members training a couple of times a month. This is the same for whether you are a rower or a cox (or both!).
For our senior crews in the lead up to racing, we usually expect our crews to train 1-2 times per week on land, in addition to the water sessions. As a cox of one of those crews, there is no obligation to attend the land training.
Do coxes have to attend land training?
It is entirely down to the individual. All our coxes at MCBC have access to the same training resources that the rowers do, so they can join in on the fitness programs if they wish. However, there is no obligation to do so. Our Head Coaches can also create fitness programs tailored to our coxes.
Do I have to be short to cox?
Not at all. Some of our tallest rowers are also some of our keenest coxes. Steering, quality of coxing calls, racing decisions, and technical feedback, is all much more important than height.
Do I have to start out as a rower?
Not at all. Many members of MCBC start rowing and then switch to coxing. Many members also start coxing straight away – never rowing themselves. There is no right or wrong way to find your place as a cox at MCBC.
Can I row and cox?
Yes, absolutely. We have many members who consider themselves both rowers and coxes. These members find a balance of rowing and coxing that works for them – whatever they decide, we facilitate.
Many senior rowers also try out coxing for the occasional session throughout the year. It’s a great skill to develop – even as a rower.
In terms of racing, we also have members who race Summer Eights both as a cox, and as a rower. For example, our M2 cox rowed in M1, and our W2 cox rowed in M2.
What equipment do coxes use?
The main piece of equipment is a cox box and microphone.
All coxed boats are fitted with microphone & speaker systems, so our coxes can talk to the whole crew with ease.
The cox box also gives data about the crew: it times pieces, gives boat speed and GPS data, counts strokes and provides the stroke rate. Through this, our coxes have loads of important data available to the, which can help both the crew with both training and racing.
Interested in coxing a boat at Merton?
Our Captain of Coxes oversees coxing, and looks after all current coxes, within MCBC, ensuring everyone gets the right training with the right crews. If you are interested in taking up coxing or have any questions to ask, they are the person to find!
Our President and Rowing Captains would also be delighted to help anyone with any questions about coxing at MCBC. Our 2024/25 President is a cox himself, and our 2024/25 Men’s Captain has a lot of experience in the coxing seat too.