The stage is set for Head of the Charles, so in the run up to one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year, Junior Rowing News had the chance to speak to Whitney Powell, legendary American coxswain and founder of the 7 Seas Rowing Club to discuss all things coxing as the world’s largest Head Race looms on the horizon.
Having started rowing at a young age, Whitney embarked on a rowing camp in Philadelphia: the moment where she realised “elite rowing was what I wanted to do”.
Having grown up on the Orange Coast, Whitney’s first days in the cox’s seat consisted of just “plugging in and going off” with the first editions of the cox box, until after the Philly camp she became affiliated with Nelson-Kellerman and had the opportunity to spend more time at the cutting edge of rowing electronics.
“NK has played a huge part in my career, I’ve been lucky enough to see the development of the CoxBox, and seen just how valuable it has become in a time where split-seconds make the difference”
Having set her mind to elite rowing, Whitney began to consistently cox at the highest level. Alongside this, she took time to create the 7 Seas Rowing club which markets itself as “the all-stars of rowing” combining the best ex-Olympians and internationals from around the globe, all under the watchful eye of Whitney.
“I’m aiming to make the men’s team at some point… I just spent a year at Leander where I was able to cox and work with some of the best athletes in the world”
“[At 7 Seas] we race anywhere and everywhere we can – NK been there for me every step of the way. We work and partner with them… Working at the top level of rowing and using the top-level equipment makes a huge difference… it’s a privilege to work with the guys there”
In regards to HOCR, Whitney shared some top hints and tips for how to make your crews life a little easier in one of the hardest races the world over.
“I know the course is three miles long, but I also know that people can do it in 4,800 metres; less than three miles. So, I can use the most recent CoxBoxes and their GPS to help me lighten the load for the guys”
“The course is full of sharp twists and turns, bridges and other boats: the one constant is the CoxBox and the data it provides”
“Keep an eye on that on GPS, then look at the turns, maybe take the next one a little tighter, steer a better line
“The best thing [a cox can do] is to make the guys take less strokes and give them an easier race”
Of course, Whitney also recognises that there is more to a race than how many metres it is; after all a jockey can’t keep whipping a horse, they must be strategic in what they ask the animal to do, in the same way, coxes must know when to open up the engine, and when to preserve fuel.
“Other products on the market lag on what the split and stroke rate actually is, but not the CoxBox. The GPS onboard means the data I have to work off is incredibly accurate, which is incredibly motivating for me and the guys”
So, if you’re coxing on the Charles this weekend, bear these things in mind:
- Keep track of the distance you’ve covered; minimise the metres rowed
- Use the data from the CoxBox to motivate your crew
- Take the corners a little sharper, steer the better line and get a better result.
Having the CoxBox on board, especially when it’s so accurate is really motivating. It makes the difference between a good race, and an easy race”
Whitney Powell
Ed Evans
Opinions Editor
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