About Mary Whipple

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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!

College Uni Day!!

Coxing in Munich to Bled

We left Princeton 13 days ago but it seems longer. Maybe because we’ve done so much and by so much I mean rowing. This time of year is when all the months of training pay off and when boat speed starts to show.

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Mary Whipple-

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Tips for racing by one of our own! - 05/04/11

Blades

I recently read this article and have picked up some tips from a fellow coxswain. That’s right, even after 17 years of coxing, I’m constantly learning and seeking out new ways of sitting in that 9th Seat!

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Mary Whipple- Well Mr. Toon, got any to share from your time sitting in that seat?

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8 Questions Answered. - 03/11/11

crewclassic

I answers 8 questions from an Indiana University coxswain named Gayle. Questions ranged from favorite collegiate memory to best race ever. In Gayle’s blog post she mentioned that she recognized me by my voice which I think is so cool! Thanks Gayle for asking me those questions.

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Savana Joseph- I would like to know if you have any coxswain recordings I can listen to? Thanks.

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Practice is Heating Up! - 02/01/11

Land Warm-up

A coxswain can play a huge role in creating and maintaining a team’s culture. Here are examples of how to lead your team.

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Catherine- Mary, I have been trying to find a good coxing camp for my H.S. (rising Jr.) Coxswain. We are

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World’s Recap and NZ Adventure - 12/21/10

Mountain Biking in Queenstown

It’s been a month and two weeks since our final at Lake Karapiro and a lot has happened.  The final was very satisfying to execute.  The girls were aggressive and relentless.  The power in that 8+ was something that I haven’t felt since the Beijing final.  Now is the non-glamorous side to the sport and that is the part where…

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It’s a Business Trip - 11/05/10

Volp and the girls

I’ve always been taught that whenever I get to travel for rowing it’s because it is a business trip.  So I’m over here in New Zealand for business… I have one more day to wait until we get to race the final for the W8+.  The heat was a very solid race and it was a real confidence booster for…

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Anthony- Hello $author, your text on this blog is really inspiring. Its rare material that you brought

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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…

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Mary Whipple-

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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…

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Monica- Are there any video lessons on this, especially in the case of a stern loader 4+? I have major

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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…

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