Gender of Crew

[coxiefoxie]

I currently cox a men's crew and am considering switching to the women's team. I have no experience coxing women and am wondering if other coxswains have found any differences coxing for crews of different genders. Thanks in advance!

[BowwwwBallll]

There are many such differences.

I'm a man who has coxed lightweight women and open women to multiple national titles and major head-race wins. I also coached some pretty successful collegiate novice women.

The differences range from self-esteem issues, to societal issues, to expectations, to the way they view the sport.

While all people are different, there are a number of general principles that apply to women rowers in general, and to the different weight classes in specific.

But the topic is too exhaustive to approach from a general standpoint.

What, in particular, do you want to know?

[coxiefoxie]

Well, I walked onto the men's lightweight team last year without considering whether I'd be better suited to cox a women's crew. I've heard that women respond better to different calls and that the team has a different dynamic. But to be completely honest, I'm considering switching teams because I'd have a better chance of being boated on the open women's team.

I guess the two main points I'm asking about are the differences between the experiences of coxing different genders (eg. which calls might work better, what things would i notice on the water more) and the experiences of being on the team with women (eg. more/less seat competitive bitchiness, bonding). If it makes any difference, I am female.

[Norm]

CF:

This often becomes a tough topic, mostly because it's full of stereotypes, misperceptions and PC landmines. While I defer to BowwwBallll in all things coxing, I will say a few very general statements about driving boats based on coaching experience:

#1 The more professional, knowledgeable and confident you are, the less gender has to do with it . Washington's 1V ALWAYS has a female cox'n, and those guys are no picnic.
#2 Maturity is more a determinant of some negative or positive response from a rower than gender. However, simple math tells us that in an eight the odds of there being some immature jerk or petulant rower are 8 to 1 against you.
#3 Your primary job is not to motivate - you are not their momma. Their job is to bring self-motivation with them when they get into the boat. No-hand holding and limited cheerleading - be a professional and expect professionalism.
#4 Lead! Male or female, humans follow strong leaders. Like wolves, they bite weak leaders. Someone in the boat is going to lead. Better that it's you.
#5 Your primary job is to give the crew information and steer. One hard thing about coxing is when you don't yet have the knowledge, skill or awareness to provide that information or steer straight. You are left facing 4 or 8 critics, some of whom, as I alluded to before, are immature. You have to be thick-skinned, and you have to work off the water to get up to speed ASAP. Watch videos, read manuals, and books on leadership.
#6 You deserve the support of the coach in terms of information, education and abuse-control. Like the Navy, the coach is the admiral, you are the captain, and the crew, well, they are the crew. Talk to the coach - never complain or whine, ask smart questions and keep a journal. The coach can be there for you when times are tough, however, it's best that you suck it up - most things settle themselves the next day. As coach, I am looking for a partner/facilitator in making the crew go faster. I don't like complaining coxswains and neither do the rowers.
#7 Do what Bowwwwballll tells you.

Good luck