Depends. In 1967 I was coxing the UCLA boat (loaned by Cal) for the race against Cal in the estuary. We quickly gained open water. About 60 strokes in the tiller jammed and there was no undoing it. We careened starboard, passed Cal's bow and headed straight for Mare's Island (I think that's the name). I had zero rudder control. I told 2 and 4 to stop pulling. The boat came to port and we lined up on the course. We continued in that fashion down the course, 2 and 4 regular, then light. In spite of that, we never lost the lead. That course ends beyond a bridge. They called the race and gave us a win before we got to the bridge. That sorely disappointed me because my crew responded with alacrity and we could have sailed right under that bridge without risking hitting a pylon. But, we got the win all the same.
New coxswain here! So 1234 are bow four and 5678 are stern four?
yes that is correct
Thankyou this was very helpful as I have just been a selected coxswain at the age of 12 mainly beacause I am very light
The technique of that stroke though :////
I'm sorry but these are really bad rowers
Much better to gently use the rudder than to have rowers use different pressure. So confusing for them.
Depends. In 1967 I was coxing the UCLA boat (loaned by Cal) for the race against Cal in the estuary. We quickly gained open water. About 60 strokes in the tiller jammed and there was no undoing it. We careened starboard, passed Cal's bow and headed straight for Mare's Island (I think that's the name). I had zero rudder control. I told 2 and 4 to stop pulling. The boat came to port and we lined up on the course. We continued in that fashion down the course, 2 and 4 regular, then light. In spite of that, we never lost the lead. That course ends beyond a bridge. They called the race and gave us a win before we got to the bridge. That sorely disappointed me because my crew responded with alacrity and we could have sailed right under that bridge without risking hitting a pylon. But, we got the win all the same.