Stake Boats 101
Racing season is upon us and the long winter training months are finished. Bring on the Spring and bring on the racing. The start of a race for me is the most fun because as coxswains, we don’t get to see the flag drop. By the time we hear the official saying, “Go,” the rowers are already in motion if your stroke has done her/his job right and gone on the flag and not the voice.
The start can also be very nerve racking at big races that are six boats across with stake boats. I thought I would share my tips for backing into the stake boats so when the most important races with the highest stress comes your way you will be able to handle the situation.
- When pulling into your lane make sure to not let it run no more than two to three boat lengths away from the stake boat. Backing more than that length can be tedious for your rowers and makes it harder for you to steer your boat.
- Notice if there is any wind that will cause your boat to blow too far to port or starboard.
- Visualize and practice in your head what rower will have to scull the boat to port or starboard. This way you can make your calls quick and have them sound confident.
- Once locked on call the rowers by name if you need to have, “Two scull bow.” By saying your two seats name you should get a faster reaction.
- For stronger wind at the start you may need to have two rowers on the same side scull. ”two scull bow and four scull three.”
These tips are just the starting point to backing your boat into stake boats. Do not underestimate visualizing in your head and figuring out who needs to grab whose oar so that when you need your bow point corrected it is done in a calm and efficient manor. And most importantly raise your hand and have your bow person raise their hand when making all of these corrections.
Good luck…
Steer Straight!
–mwhip
Tags: racing, stake boats
Posted at Wednesday, April 8th, 2009 in: Novice Coxswain
When you say “2 scull bow” does that mean that the 2 seat is using both oars at the same time or only
the bow’s oar? I’m assuming only the bows oar but,
the word scull is confusing me.
Thanks! Great Website!
2 only sculls bowseat’s oar, preferably as close to the boat as possible.
I’ll elaborate a little more…when two seat is grabbing onto bow seats oar handle it is done with one hand because the other hand is securing their own oar handle. Much like sculling where you have an oar in each hand…thus the phrase, “two scull bow.” This is used because if you would take a full stroke you would likely pull away from the stake boat holder.
With my boat I usually have bow pair working together and they keep their own oars and one backs and the other rows in a chopping stroke, like a chop turn. It is very handy when you need to make a very quick adjustment. However, I always resort to sculling if the wind is too strong or my point needs to really get fixed right after pulling into the stake boat. –mwhip+
Are there any video lessons on this, especially in the case of a stern loader 4+? I have major problems in this area, especially if there isn’t a stake boat holder. I ruined a big race several years ago (Varsity LW 4+) cause I didn’t know what to do and I panicked. Also, that was my very first 2k race coxed.
For some reason I can’t post a question on here….so I decided to just post it as a comment…
During a race how do you focus on so many things at one time? Like the race plan, motivation, where is the boat on the course, where is the boat on the other teams, am I straight as can be? All the while still talking and motivating my crew….I am shocked that I haven’t gone crazy yet…
Hi Victoria–look for an answer in the Q & A page. The ‘ask’ button should now be working. –mwhip+
I would like to build stake boats or buy them for our team in kearny nj. Our races are stated by eye. we row on a tidal river so it is hard to get a fair start. I hope you can point me in the right direction. thanks chris