Transferring to a new program…help?

just jump right in!

Q: Unfortunately I will not be coxing for my college next year because I am transferring to a new college.   I spoke with the coach at my new college and he said that I would be able to come out for the team in the fall.  He said there are 2 senior coxswains, 3 sophomores, and 3 freshman so there will be a lot of competition for who gets boated I would think. I was wondering if you had any recommendations about coxing in a new program.

Any help would be great!

–Uhaul coxy

A: My advice would be to learn that system as fast as possible. Be willing to use different words and get to know what the other coxswains say. With that said, don’t copy cat the other coxswains but reference what they do and then cross reference what you learned at your old college to come up with your own “new college style” that compliments the program, coach and athletes.

It is good that you have some outside experience but make sure you don’t fall into the….”well at my old school we did this…”  Use your skills and make sure you get to know your coach and what he wants.  Make sure to make meetings with him outside of practice times to get to know what he wants and how he communicates.

Above all, don’t be intimidated.  For all you know, you are the best coxswain coming into the program and the other coxswains are bugging out because the newbie might take their seat.  So enjoy getting to know your new team and jump right into it.  Rowing is rowing and coxing is coxing, you just have to learn how your team communicates and then speak their language.

Good luck this season and just be yourself!

–mwhip+

Tags: college, transferring

Posted at Monday, August 31st, 2009 in: Intermediate Coxswain