I was the out-of-town guest coxswain and did not know any of the rowers before we started getting prepared for the race, and I was honored my old coach reached out. I had an amazing Crew Classic experience (my first time racing here!) with a local team. Would love to bring my team to the San Diego Crew Classic one day. The regatta atmosphere was incredible. Great course and venue as many people already know.

This is my first race recording, and it’s awesome to be able to criticize and analyze my own work. It’s also freeing to write candidly about a recording because I don’t want to do something like this to someone else’s recording. I’ve also had some incredibly effective coxswains watch the video and give me feedback, and it’s been nothing but helpful. Can’t wait for the rest of the sprint season.

Start 5 – Whoa, that sounds A LOT louder than it needs to be. No shouting during the first five strokes, got it.

0:54 – I ask for a second shift because we need it but then do not tell them whether or not we made it after the shift. Did we do it? Do we need more? We will never know! Need to make sure to deliver the results.

1:11 – 250m. This is the first time the rowers are learning where they are compared to the other crews. I purposely waited this long because I liked it when other coxes did it but while watching the recording, I could not stop wondering, “How long is it going to pass before they learn where they are?”

2:05 – 500m

2:10 – Never had an acceleration call fail.

3:19 – Does it sound like the first time we are talking about our halfway strategy? Something we should/could have discussed on land.

3:57 – 1000m

4:02 – Too much talking before our move. Another credible source who helped me analyzed the recording shared that there is too much talking and no time for the crew to focus on or process what I am telling them to do.

5:06 – Hyping up the sprint… Our boat knew that was our strength, and I kept bring it up to remind them of that.

5:22 – I was asked not to call power 10s but do bursts in 7 strokes, and we pass our competition in this 7-stroke burst on acceleration! What did I tell you about acceleration calls? 😉

6:10 – 1500m

6:27 – I only mentioned the alumni tents because everyone knew what that meant… even though I now forget. 500m-ish to go?

6:54 – Start of the sprint. The rowers’ execution was great.

7:38 – 100m to go

Last two strokes – I don’t think I will ever be brave enough to call “last 10” or even “last 5.”