1. Rachel Quarrell Wednesday 9th November 2005
Coxing the Fours’ Head
Rachel Quarrell
Wednesday 9th November 2005

2. 4. Racing (specific, incl. steering) 5. After the race 6. Q&A
1. Preparation
2. Going to the start
3. Racing (general)
4. Racing (specific, incl. steering)
5. After the race
6. Q&A
28-Feb-19

3. 1. Preparation Check equipment over
Talk about race plan with coach, crew
Visualise
Safety checks
Cycle the course?
Checking timing with crew for race day
28-Feb-19

4. 2. Going to the start Where to be - look at marshalling info
When to be there - plan boating
What to do - warm crew up
Waiting - stay warm, stay in position
Turning - use more of bank-side rowers to move into centre-stream as you turn
Getting started - wind up under or before bridge
28-Feb-19

5. Useful pointers - against stream
Point bows slightly to bank in strong stream
Stick near the riverbanks
….. but beware mudflats/gravel islets
Know where to cross
….. and give way to other crews while x’ing
28-Feb-19

6. 3. Racing (general) Read the ***ing rules!
Stick to the race plan if possible
Think ahead about overtaking
Give rowers landmarks or timings
Keep coming back to technique
Stay calm and confident, but enthusiastic
28-Feb-19

7. Overtaking in races Think ahead Consider your relative speed to crews
Tell them which way you’re going to go
Factor in motivation and wash
Do not impede anyone
28-Feb-19

8. Coxing skills (races) Steering Motivation Tactics Technique
wind, tide, navigation, effect of rowers, equipt
Motivation
race plan, use other crews, confidence, enjoy it
Tactics
crew strengths, overtaking, using gaps, pushes
Technique
rhythm, relaxation, bladework, rate, timing, balance
28-Feb-19

9. 4. Steering the race General theory of steering
Where to be down the Head course
Keep it simple - not everyone has the time to learn the Tideway like the back of their hand
28-Feb-19

10. The Theory River profile - deepest point ≈ maximum stream
Different tide depths make it look different but the stream doesn’t move.

11. Where’s the depth? FFC => The fastest stream is not alwaysBE
=> The fastest stream is not always
in the middle of the river
28-Feb-19

12. Silting
Lack of dredging:
- centre-stream slows down and broadens

13. Useful pointers - with stream
Know where the fastest stream is generally
Curve with the bends, don’t cut them
You don’t need to steer much
Steer from the tops of the banks, not mud
Beware mid-stream obstacles
28-Feb-19

14. 28-Feb-19

15. Chiswick to Barnes Bridge
Centre of Chiswick Bridge
Approximately halfway between the banks
Don’t be drawn in towards Middlesex as you approach Barnes Bridge
Angle slightly towards the Mdx pier of bridge, aiming to just miss eddy behind it.
28-Feb-19

16. Barnes to Chiswick Eyot
As you leave Barnes Bridge, look to your left.
Up to moored boats, stay same distance off Mdx bank, past Bandstand
Parallel to moored boats before Eyot
approx. 1-2 widths away from them
Parallel to Eyot - midway or slightly to SS
28-Feb-19

17. Eyot to Hammersmith At end of Eyot, look at Surrey bank
Stay this distance away from it (ignore Mdx bank), round to St. Paul’s School
Continue at same distance
stay parallel to BS bank, around 1/3 off BS and 2/3 off S/S bank. Ignore S/S bank widening away to AK.
Under “second lamppost” or v slightly to its SS
28-Feb-19

18. Hammersmith to Barn Elms
By now you’re 1/3 off Surrey bank
Keep this distance away from BS bank
Harrods Depository wall: bad water?
Stay parallel to Surrey bank, ignore Mx
By Barn Elms, you are 1/4 off Surrey bank
This avoids Fulham Flats
28-Feb-19

19. Barn Elms to Putney Pier
At apex of Barn Elms bend, look to Black Buoy
Let yourself re-aim to pass it on its S/S
1-2 widths off Buoy (pref. 1)
Stay parallel to moorings until London RC
Then head for centre of Putney Bridge
At some Heads the extra buoys will guide you.
28-Feb-19

20. 5. After the race Return safely (if crossing, wait for permission)
You may be pulled in for safety checks
Avoid racing crews at all costs
Stop if necessary, and wait
Stay warm
Put boat away, and relax. Results?
28-Feb-19

21. Coxing skills (general)
HAVE FUN!
Exude a desire to rise above panic, to enjoy yourself, to enjoy winning, and to enjoy making your boat go as fast as possible…..
……. and the crew will want you with them.
28-Feb-19

22. Any Questions ?