Coxswain Fantasy
June 5th, 2009
Archive
Archive for the ‘Coxswain's Corner’ Category
Speed Coach Mobile for iPhone: Review
May 13th, 2009
Last Tuesday I had the chance to try out the new iPhone app from Performance Phones LLC using NK’s speed coach technology. The app is called Speed Coach Mobile, and uses the accelerometer and GPS system built in to the iPhone to record data about your rowing workout.
I mounted the phone next to the Cox Box, in two duct taped ziplock bags, with some silica gel to absorb any condensation inside the bags. The iPhone is very fragile when it comes to water exposure, even more than a regular phone or device: it has a water sensor that causes the phone to irreparably shut down at the slightest exposure to water (I tried out this feature a few months ago, ack).
Output from Speed Coach Mobile, Facebook, and Google. Click to enlarge.
Having the app next to the trusty Cox Box, I was able to compare the accuracy of the strokes-per-minute feature. I am happy to say that the two devices were within half a beat of each other for the entire workout. It was very impressive.
The main screen of the app shows 500m split, strokes per minute, distance in meters, time of current interval, average split, stroke count, interval number, and time of day. All these fields are customizable so you can set it up to show more or less.
In the preferences you can set it for the various types of boat you row, for example, row, kayak, even dragon-boat. As far as rowing goes, it’s designed to work with any size boat, from single scull to 8’s.
Our plan was to do 3x 12 minute pieces at 90% pressure, followed by 6 minutes of paddle / rest. It was very simple to program this workout into the app and things were looking good, but we ran out of space in the marina to do the workout. It would be very good for that kind of thing though because of the timing and interval features.
Today I have uploaded the workout details to Facebook, where you can tag the team members, and even your coach. A stack of data is available, graphs and maps too.
An aspect of the app that is not so good is that the upload to Facebook costs money (I don’t know how much per upload). They give you 15 free uploads, but still, I don’t like that, considering the app’s steep cost of $65. I understand that the app was difficult to develop, and that the rowing community is relatively small (their reasons for the high price), but that seems irrelevant to me, the end user. How about pricing the app at $70 and providing free uploads? Most Garmin sports watches have free upload software that comes with them.
That said, the cost is still roughly half the price of a real Speed Coach (not including the cost of your iPhone), and it is a fantastic product. I absolutely recommend it. For more information head to Performance Phones LLC’s website:
How to Avoid going “Thunk”
March 9th, 2009
From Trinity:
At this weekend’s board meeting, the issue of incident reporting came up. I, listening in as best I could on my first Skype call on my laptop, was amazed to hear that buoy hits have become “common” in LARC. So this is a little article I’m calling “How to Avoid Going ‘Thunk’” into anything- sea lions, buoys, other boats, etc. It pretty much applies to everything.
Now, the first thing, the very first and most important thing is- and I’m not telling you something I wouldn’t tell my toddler (she likes to go thunk)- the supremely important thing you MUST do to avoid going thunk is…
WATCH WHERE YOU’RE GOING
Ok, all facetiousness, aside, coxing isn’t a passive thing. You’re not just along for a pleasant Sunday row simply reacting to what’s in front of you. You should be looking, actively engaged and looking for the next obstacle that can impede your boat.
“But Trin, the buoys aren’t in a line!,” you say. No, they aren’t and boats don’t stay in one place either. In fact few things in the water are stationary. Everyday is slightly different and you can never rest on your laurels or previous knowledge.
Helpful Hint: As you make the first turn by the breakwater and cross the channel, you have a clear view down the channel to at least UCLA. Use the time to visually pick out the buoys and anything else that might be in your path. Your mission as you cross the channel is to KNOW where the buoys are and where they aren’t. Which brings me to the next point
PLAN AHEAD.
The difficulty in coxing isn’t in counting to 10, its in the extraordinary level of multitasking you have to do in order to keep track of the piece, the rating, the feeling of the boat, the time -and if that’s not enough- steer that bad boy safely through an ever-changing landscape. Its not easy- I know but Planning ahead makes a huge difference. I don’t mean, looking at maps the night before (though if you’re traveling to a race, do that). I mean, thinking 20 strokes ahead of where you are. Remember, depending on speed, pressure and size, your boat will take several strokes to respond to your steering. You simply can’t wait til the last minute to make a sudden adjustment.
“But what do I do if I’m just not sure and can’t see?” you ask.
Well, there are a couple of tricks. If you’re worried there’s something out there, say you’ve passed two buoys and you know there’s a third, but you don’t know where, here are some more Helpful hints:
you can:
1) Weigh enough. If you think danger is imminent. Really its ok. Your rowers would rather stop for 2 secs than risk damage to themselves and the boat by ramming full speed into something.
2) Steer slightly to port and lean out to starboard, then steer slightly to starboard and lean to port. This will let you look into that big blindspot caused by the rowers directly in front of you. Works well when you have a sense of impending doom but think you have enough time to adjust. ***Don’t go fishtailing down the channel- some small adjustments are all that’s required.
Another note about buoys, this has always been true for me: if I’m between the breakwater and UCLA and thinking, “hmmm, I don’t know where the buoy line is”, there’s a real good chance we’re about to hit it.
As for the Sea lions, please be kind and share the water, especially now as the little ones appear. If you’re out in the pitch black- You can’t see the sea lions per se but you can see the smooth humps their bodies make as they sleep near the surface. Look for the break in the ripples ahead- that small smooth patch in the water is probably a sleeping sea lion.
And lastly- LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP (or, um, row)
This is also called “how not to ram into outbound boats when returning to our basin.” Simply Don’t cut the turn short. Come parallel to the basin- should be near the white gazebo on the right side but at least far enough down so that you can see down the basin before turning to cross into it.
As for the seagulls. Whatever, they have wings they can fend for themselves.
I know I’ve said most of this before but I’m going to keep saying it. After all, isn’t that what we coxswains do? Talk until we’re blue in the face (and hands and feet).
Happy Rowing.
Your cox in exile.
Top Ten Reasons Why Coxing is Awesome
February 18th, 2009
It seems a good coxswain is always hard to find and this problem isn’t unique to the LARC. I see it here in Atlanta and I hear from college coaches about the difficulty of getting and training good coxswains. I’m sure there are many factors for this, uhh, short fall but one of them is that we don’t do enough to advertise this unique position within the boat. To that end, here are my top ten reasons to love coxing.
Top 10 Reasons Why Coxing is Awesome
10. All of the adrenaline rush without the taste of vomit in your mouth after a race.
9. You’re the only one who really gets to enjoy the scenery.
8. No blisters.
7. Sincere appreciation from your rowers, often in the form of free coffee.
6. When else in life do you get to tell anyone to “squeeze their buns like a dime-store stripper picking up quarters” ?
5. Cutting a tight turn and using that to pull away from other boats is just plain fun.
4. Its a great way to vent aggression. I mean, yelling isn’t just allowed its expected.
3. Its a wonderful way to improve your public speaking skills. I’m quite serious about this- who needs ToastMasters when you have a crew to cox.
2. Truly sincere appreciation from your rowers, often in the form of lifelong friendships.
1. Because after it stops being scary, it starts to feel like home.
Safety for Coxswains
February 3rd, 2009
Hi LARC,
This was written in response to the incident with the single the other week but its really about best practices on the water. As a member of the Board, legally my butt is on the line for any ‘incidents’ out there but more than that, I want you all to be safe and have fun. -Trinity
A few quick notes on best practices for anyone who coxes:
- Don’t assume you’re always going to overtake a single quickly just because you have more rowers. They are lighter, can move faster and are more agile.
- If you are overtaking, don’t be afraid to ask a single to move to starboard. There should be plenty of room on the Channel for a single and a four without having to cross over to the middle of the channel.
- Remember no power pieces in the channel!
- If passing the boat in front is going to take significant power and time to get around, just drop a pair and stay behind them. Do some pause drills or square blades. Don’t push it especially during high traffic hours.
- Budget your time wisely. Don’t be caught at the head of the channel at 7:58am when your rowers need to be on the beach at 8am. Leave a good 10 minutes to get down the channel and docked.
- Also, give your mouth a rest occasionally and listen. You can very often hear other boats when you can’t see them.
- Though there is a temptation to relax once you’re off the Main Marina but DO NOT relax until your rowers, boat and oars are all dry, on land, properly in place and secured. Your job does not end until that moment.
Coxswain’s corner debut post
December 8th, 2008
Hello from Your coxswain in exile! I asked Simon to create a Coxswain’s corner on here which ideally will be a discussion board for all things related to coxing. Post questions. Post answers. Post favorite calls, favorite moments. I think the best way for all of us, any of us to do this coxing thing we love better is simply to talk about it and share ideas.
More to come….