THE COXSWAIN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19202, 19 June 1924, Page 5

THE COXSWAIN.

.SMALLEST MAN IN THE BOAT. It is usual to refer to each crew in the Oxford and Cambridge boat, race u.s 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, tho 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 tho Daily Chronicle, but he needs, too, an iron 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 Alortlake is also essential. That is why cox is taken over it. in a launch with a man who knows all tho 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, ho must keep the other on the boat and the work of the individual members ol the crew. He has to bo over on the alert to prevent tho 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 mest beneficial results. “Watch your time. Five!” you might, hoar him shout if you were near enough on the great day. And No. 5 would correct, hv fault so that the whole crew strike tho water absolutely together. All the time he has to keep the men rowing in perfect unison. None of them must roll oven a trifle more than his fellows. There is also stroke to watch and warn of any rough water that might lie ahead. Perhaps even only a glance from stroke means that ho desires some injunction given to the crew. Alost of all has cox to exercise judgment as to when a spurt is necessary. As the winning post loom,? nearer and nearer this becomes increasingly important. lit a close light, as most boat races are, an error of seconds in timing the last terrific effort and dash may mean lost honours.