Qualified Coaching Coxswain

The Pitch

Problem statement

We are an all inclusive, community rowing club that rows traditional 7 person Cornish Pilot Gigs. We have recently increased our club membership by around 30%, including 18 new junior members. To get everyone out on the water, we need additional qualified coxswains. The coxswain's role is very important as without one a boat cannot put to sea and crews cannot row. Coxswains also coach our racing crews and a good, qualified coxswain is vital if we are to become more competitive in the increasingly popular Gig racing regattas held throughout the summer.

Solution

Coxswain training courses, operated by British Rowing, are available in our area at a cost of around £600, and we would like to send one of our enthusiastic, but unqualified coxes on it. Upon passing the course, they would be much better placed to take crews out onto the water, safely, and to provide valuable coaching in the finer arts of fixed seat rowing. This would help rowers become more competent, which in turn would enable them to enjoy their rowing more, and become more competitive when racing. Doing things better would also improve their wellbeing. As for the coxswain, they would improve their skill set and gain more satisfaction from being able to pass on their knowledge.

Why are we best placed to deliver?

Our club is growing in size and is operated by enthusiastic volunteers, and supported by the local community. Our traditional rowing boats are out on the water throughout the year, locally and throughout the south west when participating in regattas. We cater for all ages and not only offer rowers the opportunity to race, but if they prefer, to simply row recreationally. We do have several qualified coxswains but do need more and we know that a qualified coxswain can bring so much more to the role than an unqualified one. An additional qualified cox can only help us go from strength to strength.

Focus Areas

Delivery plan

Budget breakdown

Beneficiaries

130 people

Expected impact

The impact on our club would be great as a qualified coxswain brings so much more to the table than an unqualified one. Rowing fixed seat, 32 foot long Cornish Pilot Gigs, in the open sea, is very technical and physically hard, and rowers, particularly those new to the sport, can get very despondent if they feel they are struggling to pick it up. It is also very easy to get injuries if ones technique is not very good. A good qualified coxswain is able to coach a rower, instructing them how to row properly as an individual and as a member of a crew. This enable new rowers to enjoy the sport and all the benefits to ones physical wellbeing it brings. Experienced rowers also benefit, as proper coaching enables them to improve and make fine tweaks which can make them more competitive in racing events. The coxswain also benefits, from an improved skill set and greater confidence.

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