THE COXSWAIN

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 140, 14 June 1924, Page 19

THE COXSWAIN

SMALLEST MAN IN THE BOAT.

It is usual to refer to each crew in the Oxford and Cambridge boat race as' an "eight," but actually there are nine men in each boat. That ninth man, seemingly regarded as insignificant, and not worthy of consideration, is the coxswain, the lightest man in the boat. Not only must cox have accurate eye, perfect judgment, and a rare knowledge of rowing/ says "An Old Blue" in the "Daily Chronicle," but he needs, too, an iron j nerve/. To allow himself to become flurried even in the most thrilling moment would be fatal. A thorough knowledge of the famous course from Putney to Mortlake is also an essential. That is why cox is taken over it in a launch with a man who knows all the idiosyncrasies of the river. A mistake* an error of judgment, might, and conceivably would, in a close race, make all the difference between success and failure. But if cox must keep one eye always on the course* he must keep the other, on the boat and the work of the individual members of the crew. Ho has. to be ever on the alert to prevent the development of faults; all the time ready to jerk out sharp words of instruction and exhortation so that the work of the eight shall produce the most beneficial results. "Watch your time, Five !" you might hear him shout if you were near eiiough on the great j day. And No. 5 would correct his faiilfc'j so that the whole crew strike the water absolutely together. All the time he has to keep the men rowing in perfect unison. None of them must roll eveli a trifle more than his fellows. There is also stroke to watch and warn of any rough Water that might lie ahekd. Per'hitps even only a glance from stroke means that he desires some injunction given to the crew. Most of all has cox to exercise judgment as to When t spurt is necessary. As the Winning post looms nearer and nearer ■ this becomes increasingly important. In a close fight, as most boat races are, an error of seconds in timing the last terrific effort and daeh may mean lest honour's.

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