About Mary Whipple

Photo of Mary Whipple

Welcome!

9th Seat is the brainchild of Mary Whipple, Olympic gold medalist coxswain of the US women’s eight. Here you’ll find informative blog posts, tips and tricks, and opportunities to learn from the best!

ial-class-photo

Where has The 9th Seat been?

Since my last post I, The 9th Seat, have been busy.  I started grad school at the University of Washington and am on my way in completing a masters degree in Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership.  Which is basically a mouth-full for sports administration for college sports.  This is the main reason for taking the summer off from the National Team since…

Continue reading "Where has The 9th Seat been?" »

Masters Rowing Camp - 05/27/09

masters-pocok-camp

  Way back in April Pocock had a 3 day Masters Rowing camp that I helped coach along with Brian Volpenhein, Sloan DuRoss, Steve Dani, and Dusan Nikolic.  Each day there were 10 to 12 rowers rowing for two sessions with a lunch break.  I took care of the morning sessions where we mostly focused on sculling with the intention…

Continue reading "Masters Rowing Camp" »

Recent Comment

Mary Whipple- Honestly just go with your gut and have fun. Once you are in the boat live in the moment and

Leave a comment

Creating Motivations - 05/12/09

coxing-the-olympics

  Q: Even though I make sure I’m constantly telling the rowers information like rate, position against boat/on river, and technical reminders I feel like i don’t have enough motivation techniques to get them past other boats. You wouldn’t happen to have any tips on creating motivations would you? I don’t want to end up saying the same phrase 10…

Continue reading "Creating Motivations" »

Recent Comment

Phincox- Yes, the surf drill was a fun one. I stayed in the seat to steer but we had four rowers stand

Leave a comment

Actions Speak Louder than Words - 04/22/09

being-thrown-in

Q: I’m the Varsity coxn on my team and I’ve been coxing for about a year now, but I do feel like I am taken advantage of at times by the older rowers, even when I assert myself and speak with authority. Any suggestions on how I could let my rowers know I know what I’m doing even though I’m…

Continue reading "Actions Speak Louder than Words" »

Recent Comment

jeux- jeux... [...]Steering Buoyed Courses | 9th Seat[...]...

Leave a comment

Steering Buoyed Courses - 04/21/09

buoyed-course

Got a question from a coxswain asking about buoyed courses… Q: I was wondering, when steering buoyed 2k courses, do you use really distant points or the buoys? It’s kinda hard to see that far… A:  Exactly, it is far to see down to the finish line of a 2k course.  That is why when I steer a buoyed course, I…

Continue reading "Steering Buoyed Courses" »

Recent Comment

Jess- Boston area

Leave a comment

On-the-water Coxswain Clinic! - 04/20/09

lake-stevens-group

Last weekend I went to Lake Stevens to give a coxswain clinic for the coxswains of Lake Stevens, Orcas Island, and Bainbridge Island.  All in all there were 10 coxswains from the three rowing clubs.   We started the day out with a small lecture covering the basics of steering, organizing practice and your role on race day.  Then came…

Continue reading "On-the-water Coxswain Clinic!" »

Recent Comment

debgjdrdd- CCfkkQNRCAByTIcESi [url=http://www.coachbagseshop.com]coach outlet[/url] uckNSMzkYVHQCScW

Leave a comment

Stake Boats 101 - 04/08/09

bow-point-sm

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…

Continue reading "Stake Boats 101" »

Recent Comment

Mary Whipple- Hi Rayna, Stay confident in what you do know and start paying attention to not what you say

Leave a comment

Calling all Rookies! - 03/19/09

cox box eyes

My definition of a Rookie in rowing is anyone training on the varisty squad for their first time. Rookie year was the hardest yet funnest.  It was my Sophomore year of college which was my first year on varsity. It was a year of a lot of learning the hard way…making mistakes and trying not to make the same ones again all while…

Continue reading "Calling all Rookies!" »

Recent Comment

køb dine billige printer toner her- køb dine billige printer toner her... [...]Know your Audience | 9th Seat[

Leave a comment

Know your Audience - 03/14/09

Anna and Mary

The next time you get into a racing situation in practice make sure you know who is in your boat. Sometimes the best motivation for a rower is simple information. Information like: How much farther until the line? How many seats will it take to get even? How many seats until the lead? After your rowers hear the information, make…

Continue reading "Know your Audience" »

Recent Comment

Cascadepowdercats- Congrats on your launch day!

Leave a comment

You Ready? Are you sure? - 03/13/09

bow-point-sm

I was on the water the other day and noticed that many coxswains who want to get their boat moving quickly forget to make sure that their  rowers are actually ready.  Just because you want something to happen doesn’t mean it is going to happen when you say, “Ready, Row!” To get more bang for your buck, make sure you…

Continue reading "You Ready? Are you sure?" »

Buy Tramadol Online - cheap tramadol online