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!

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Creating Motivations

  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 [...]

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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 make sure the two buoy lines are going symmetrically into the rowers' heads or necks depending on how tall you sit in the seat.  I also make sure to keep ...

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Recent Comment

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 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 ...

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