Coxswains crew team members responsible for navigating and motivating boats while on the water play a largely unheralded role. Few people know they exist, much less understand what they do. But for the Dartmouth rowing teams, they are an essential component of any crew's success, providing energy and decision-making skills despite taking a largely backseat role.
Reilly Bertasi '13 and Kristy Abo '12, both coxswains for the men's heavyweight crew, decided to take up the position after ending their own rowing careers before arriving at the College. Abo, who started coxing midway through her junior year of high school, was recruited by Dartmouth as a coxswain, while Bertasi joined the team as a walk-on.
Although she had already been part of a broader rowing culture through her involvement on her high school rowing team, Bertasi said she initially found it difficult to adapt to her new role.
"I felt guilty, like I was bossing people around, because I'm used to being the one doing the racing," she said.
Megan Jang '13, a coxswain for the men's lightweight crew, had no previous involvement in crew when she joined the team her freshman Fall. She began coxing after her trip leader and roommate both of whom were on Dartmouth crews at the time encouraged her to join.
Jang said she found the transition difficult, having played on sports teams in high school and being used to the more prominent roles.
"It's kind of a weird situation because when you win a race, I don't think anyone would say that the coxswain did a phenomenal job," she said. "But the mistakes you make will cost the team a lot."
Bertasi said that pressure often makes her incredibly nervous before races.
"You have to be thinking about everything," she said. "It's all very stressful."
Although Dartmouth coxswains' experiences vary, coxswains have similar ideas of what makes them an effective crew member.
Jang said she acts as "a combination of cheerleader, drill sergeant and airplane pilot."
"The rowers are all internally motivated," she said. "It's [the coxswain's] job to remind them why."
While coxswains do not need to be in top physical shape, Bertasi said they must know what is going on in their boat "technically, strategically and physically" at all times.
"A good cox needs to say very calm under pressure, keep [his or her] head above the turmoil of the race," Abo said. "You have to see everything that's going on and communicate it effectively to your crew."
Jang said they must make sure that what they say gets through to the rowers in their boat.
"I will come up with things and ask the rowers if they liked it or not," she said. "I get a lot of rower feedback because it's ultimately them that have to listen to me all day."
Jang and Bertasi both listen to tapes of coxswains on the United States national team in order to pick up new language to use during races. Jang also watches rowing on television as much as possible in order to observe others acting in the role.
"There's no shame in copying in the coxswain world," she said.
Abo said she trains best by trying out different tactics during practice.
"I think every coxswain has a unique style and voice," she said. "So if you just imitate tapes, it wouldn't be sincere."
Bertasi said her favorite aspect of being a coxswain is being a part of the men's crew team's "intense" dynamic.
"I think that rowing is a sport where the athletes are extremely close because they work so hard," she said. "So I enjoy that I can still be a part of that even though I may not be considered an athlete by traditional standards."
Abo compared her role to that of a teacher, helping "others achieve their goals." Jang said the "competitive energy" at every regatta is her favorite part of being a team member.
"You have eight guys all taking themselves to their physical limitations," Jang said. "I really like that aspect of crew."
