Coastal Coxing Certificate Level 1
Learning Sessions Module 1 Module 2 Module 3 Module 4 Module 5 Module 6 The rights, roles and responsibilities of the cox Safety and Risk Management Terminology, commands and communication Lifting, launching and landing Steering and manoeuvring British Rowing Technique for Coxes 2
Module 1 The rights, roles and responsibilities of the cox 3
The roles and responsibilities of the cox / steersman 1 1. Safety 2. Steering 3. Commands 4. Coaching 5. Communication 6. Positive motivation 7. Strategy Order of coaching of a cox 4
Developing coxes Coxes may have had little initial training or subsequent coaching Coxes should demand coaching Coaches should coach coxes too! Does your club have too many coxes? Are your clubs coxes valued and appreciated? Clubs get the coxes they deserve! 5
Rights; The Cox s Charter Coxes have as many rights as rowers and scullers. To enjoy the sport To be kept safe\ Not to be perfect every time To improve To receive quality coaching To be treated fairly To be given responsibility To be praised To have rights To eat! 6
Rights; Weight of coxes Misguided comments on weight can have serious consequences! The minimum weight is to encourage heavier not lighter racing coxes! Good coxing is about much more than weight! The effect of an additional 1kg weight is small What difference will this make at your level? Are there other more significant factors? If you are considering cox weight what about the effect of additional crew weight? 7
Module 2 Safety & Risk Management 8
What is Risk Assessment and Risk Management? Risk assessment Thinking what might go wrong and taking it into account Risk management Doing something to reduce risks to an acceptable level, not to eliminate them! Taking action to reduce the likelihood of an incident, or the consequences, if one occurs. 9
Risk Assessment 1. What hazards/risk factors can you think of when coxing/steering? (off water and on water!) 2. Who might be harmed? 3. In what ways might people be harmed? 2 10
1. Examples of hazards 2 Boat type/stability Level of ability of crew Water Cold water immersion Flow/Tide/Currents Waves Debris Weather; Heat, snow, fog, rain, wind etc. Wind speed/direction Check the forecast! 11
2. Examples of individuals who might be harmed 2 Coxes Participants Other water users? People on the bank 12
3. Examples of ways in which people might be harmed 2 Illness Injury Death 13
Pre-Session Checks Before you go out always assess the following: Weather forecast Tide Water conditions wind and sea state Participants ability Based on the above, make your final assessment. Then do the following: Plan route - navigation Check equipment and clothing Check communications 14
Weather forecast Always assess current weather conditions and get an up to date weather forecast. Harbour master Phone / Mobile Phone Navtex HM Coastguard Broadcasts - VHF: The initial call is on CH16 then broadcasted on either channel 10 or ch73 Radio - Radio 4 LW/FM: BBC Radio 4 broadcast the shipping forecast four times a day at the following times: 0048, 0535, 1201, 1754 Internet - www.weather.org.uk, www.bbc.co.uk/weather, www.metcheck.co.uk, 15
Tides The rise and fall of the tide, the direction and the rate of flow of the tidal stream will affect progress. The decision as to duration and direction of the training session should take these factors into account. 16
Force Water conditions - Wind 0 Calm Wind Description Speed 0 Sea like a mirror Sea Description 1 Light air 2 Ripples but without foam crests 2 Light breeze 5 Small wavelets. Crests do not break 3 Gentle breeze 9 Large wavelets, some crests break, some white horses 4 Moderate breeze 13 Small waves, frequent white horses 5 Fresh Breeze 19 Moderate rather long waves, many white horses, some spray 6 Strong Breeze 24 Some large waves, extensive white foam crests, some spray 7 Near Gale 30 Sea heaped up, streaks of foam blowing with the wind 8 Gale 37 Fairly high and long waves, crests breaking into spindrift, blowing foam in prominent streaks 9 Strong gale 44 High waves, dense foam streaks in wind, wave-crests topple and roll over, spray reduces visibility 10 Storm 52 Very high waves, overhanging crests, dense blowing foam, heavy tumbling sea appears white, visibility poor 11 Severe storm 60 Exceptionally high waves, hiding small ships, sea covered with foam, crests blown into froth, visibility poor 12 Hurricane Air filled with foam and spray, sea white, visibility extremely bad
Water conditions Sea state 18
Water conditions Wind and tide Direction of the course for training will depend on wind and tide conditions. Wind and tide together give a flatter sea. Wind against tide creates a "short" confused sea. The stronger the wind and tide the rougher the sea gets. Always try to have the first leg into the wind and return with wind and tide. 19
Assessing participants Always match the participants to the conditions, by assessing the following Ability level Experience Age Fitness level Type of boat being used, e.g. level of stability Any injuries/illnesses 20
Making Your Final Assessment Using the forecast and tide tables provided by your tutor, discuss in your groups how each of the areas below would impact on the planned session: Wet or dry Cloud cover Temperature Visibility Wind speed Wind direction Sea state State of tide Time of forecast Ability/experience of the participants 21
Plan route - Navigation Ensure the planned session route takes into account the forecast, tide, conditions and is appropriate for the participants ability levels. Ensure the cox is familiar with: Rules of the Road Prevention of Collision Buoyage - Knowledge of the IALA Buoyage (Area A) and what buoys mean Sound Signals Shapes and Lights rules 22
Plan route - Know your local waterway Get a copy of the map of your local waterway. (It is a requirement that one is displayed at your club.) Identify the local circulation pattern. Annotate it to identify the usual hazards. Are there any unusual hazards at this time? Where are the emergency access points? Where are the areas of shelter which can be run to in an emergency? What local safety regulations are there? 23
Equipment 3 Check all equipment for wear and/or damage prior to every outing Check the boat has the correct safety equipment on board Where a launch is used check that it is in good working order and has the correct equipment on board 24
Clothing for cox and crew 4 What clothing should coxes and crew wear In hot weather? In cold weather? Give an example of a common item of clothing which you shouldn t wear. What equipment should coxes have? What equipment should crew members have? 25
Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) 4 Do you know your own club or association guidance on swimming ability and on wearing PFDs? What is the difference between a buoyancy aid and a lifejacket? What different types of PFDs are there in your club? PFDs must be regularly checked and maintained! They must be worn properly! 26
PFDs 27
Communications ALWAYS; Make sure someone ashore knows your plans. Inform the coastguard of your plan. Who you are. How many. Where you are going. When you are due back. Always take a VHF with you in a waterproof case. Always have a shore contact. Recommended that all boats are registered under the CG66 scheme. 28
Re-cap - Pre-session checks Before you go out always assess the following; Weather forecast Tide Water conditions wind and sea state Participants ability Based on the above, make your final assessment. Then do the following; Plan route - navigation Check equipment and clothing Check communications 29
Know what to do in an emergency! 5 What would you do if.. Hypothermia! Man overboard! Capsize! Collision! At different locations on your waterway? Devise some possible scenarios and your emergency action plan 30
Cold water immersion Immersion in cold water can present a risk due to; 1. Cold water shock 2. Swim failure 3. Hypothermia from immersion 4. Circumrescue collapse 31
Capsize / Man overboard and recovery training What are the procedures for recovering a participant who has become immersed through a capsize or man overboard? 32
Recognising mild hypothermia Symptoms of Mild Hypothermia (35 C degrees and below) Complaints of feeling cold and tired Shivering Confusion Poor comprehension Disorientation Poor concentration Pale Blue lips and nails Rapid breathing Wheezing or cough Fast pulse Slurred speech Irrational behaviour Violent outbursts 33
Moderate to severe hypothermia Shivering stops; rigid, lack of voluntary motion. Very slow and shallow breathing. Pulse slow/irregular. Lack of responsiveness. 34
Hypothermia What steps can you take to reduce the likelihood of hypothermia occurring? Coxes? Crew? 35
Sources RNLI Interactive Sea Safety Guide Level 2 Coaching Course Risk Assessment and Risk Management Guide British Rowing RowSafe Guide St Johns Ambulance First Aid Manual HSE leaflet; five steps to risk assessment British Standard 8800 36
Module 3 Terminology, commands and communication 37
Commands Commands should be Understood! Clear Concise Consistent Firm Simple What do cox and crew understand words and commands to mean? 38
Commands 6 Look at the resource of coxing commands, Are there any other ones that you can think of? 39
Bow Side/ Starboard Stern (Aft) Stroke Side/Port Thwarts (Fixed Seats) Footrest/ Foot Stretcher Hull Gunwale Keel Bow (Forward) 40
Terminology Thole Pins Rowlock Sill Top Nut Washers Pin Gate Swivel Locking Nut 41
Terminology Outboard Inboard Spoon/Blade Shaft/Loom Sleeve or Leather Button or Collar Handle 42
Communication 7 Communication is made up of What you say How you say it When you say it How much you say! 43
Communication: What you say 7 Be positive! What is the effect of positive instructions (do s rather than don ts) vs. negative instructions? What positive instructions can you give? 44
Communication: how you say it! Be confident. Sound confident. Give clear concise commands. Project your voice. Take command of the crew. 45
Communication: how you say it! 7 Paralanguage, Tone, pitch, pace, conveyed emotion? The sound of the word The delivery of the word / phrase Meaning of a word / phrase Same word, different meanings Same meaning, different effects 46
Communication: when you say it 7 Correct timings lead to better transitions and rowing Use go, now, change At the catch, call; changes in slide length changes to/from square blades At the finish, call; changes in pressure 47
Communication: how much to say 7 How much communication is too much? How much is not enough? 48
Communication - Practical 7 Get some recordings of coxes, e.g. off the internet Analyse their communication Record yourself coxing during your next outing 49
Communicating with a coach Coaches and coxes should communicate! Before the outing Communicate on the plan and goals, and the coxing /technical points to improve. During the outing; Work with each other. Allow time for the cox to cox and the coach to coach. After the outing Cox feeds back to the coach. Coach feeds back to the cox. 50
Module 4 Lifting, launching and landing 51
Lifting, launching and landing Lifting and exiting the boat store launching/landing in varying conditions Knots 52
Lifting, launching and landing guidelines This is a particular area where the boats are easily damaged or physical injury can occur. Group Activity: Design a set of guidelines for launching and landing at your club. 53
Lifting, launching and landing guidelines How do you safely move the boat to the water in your location? How would you launch/land in your location? What hazards are there when launching/landing? What factors might influence the direction in which you launch/land? 54
Lifting and Exiting the Boat Store What is your local boat store like? Which boats are the easiest to get in and out? Which boats are the most difficult? Why? 1. Where would you position the crew initially? 2. Who would move where, when? 3. When lifting, where would you stand? 4. What commands would you give? 55
Launching and landing general guidelines Ensure enough people are available to launch the boat safely. Ensure crew are well briefed on procedure before launching and landing. Encourage crew to be quick and efficient. If in doubt, don t go out! 56
Launching Launch bow first into conditions - rowers can row faster forwards - (normal rowing). Crew embark in Reverse Order: Bow>Stroke>Cox Do not attach rudder until well clear of surf. Crew must keep paddling as directed by the cox until the cox considers it safe to stop and make final adjustments. One of bow pair may need to use oar to hold boat straight, in on-shore or cross winds. 57
Landing Land bow first in good conditions. Land stern first in poor conditions e.g. surf/breaking waves. Off-shore Wind = Faster approach On-shore Wind = Slower approach Side Wind = Faster approach + up-wind of landing area 58
Landing Slow down by using less rowers or less pressure. Bow Pair: get out quickly and hold boat. Take rudder off first if landing stern first. Cox or one of stern pair may need to use oar to hold boat straight, in on-shore or cross winds. 59
Knots There are five basic knots that can be used for securing boats in different situations; 1. Cleat Hitch 2. Bowline 3. Reef Knot 4. Round Turn and Two Half Hitches 5. Clove Hitch 60
Cleat Hitch 61
Bowline 62
Reef Knot 63
Round Turn and Two Half Hitches 64
Clove Hitch 65
Module 5 Steering & manoeuvring 66
Steering & Manoeuvring Lookout! Ahead and behind Maintain an awareness of course and others Maintain awareness of navigation rules Actions to avoid a collision? Emergency stops; Hold it up! Slap, bury and turn 67
Factors to consider when steering / manoeuvring 8 Rudder: Only works when boat moving! Oars: Use less or more pressure Use all or some crew members Rowing on, or backing down (Alternate or Spin) Boat Speed: Faster = Rudder more effective Water: Stream/Tide (Especially in Narrow Rivers or around Headlands) Direction of Travel: Upstream or Downstream Waves and Swell Wash from Other Boats Wind: Head Tail Cross Wind:Tide 68
Steering: when to steer? 8 Oars to manoeuvre the boat at low speeds Rudder when the spoons are in the water, the rudder is less effective but has less effect on the Balance Rhythm Comfort of the crew Speed of the boat 69
Steering: how much to steer? 8 Steer early, little and often (not late & a lot!). Account for the apparent delay between applying the rudder and the boat changing course. Move the strings or toggles 5cm in each direction. Avoid repeatedly over-steering and correcting. 70
Steering 3 - New direction 2 - Steering moves /Skids stern of boat 1 - Boat travelling straight forward 71
Examples of different rudders 72
Effect of water and weather conditions on steering The following will affect the cox s ability to steer their boat: Water Stream Currents Waves Wash from boats Direction of travel; upstream/downstream Wind Head Tail Cross 73
Steering a course Direction of tide or wind 74
Steering a course Direction of tide or wind 75
Using the stream / tide to turn / manoeuvre Turning from facing upstream to facing downstream Start away from the stream/tide. Turn the bows into stream/tide. Stream will continue taking bows around. 76
Using the stream / tide to turn / manoeuvre Turning from facing downstream to facing upstream Start in middle or strongest stream. Turn the bows into bank or slowest stream. Stream will turn stern around, whilst bow is still in the slack water close to the bank. 77
Using the stream / tide to turn / manoeuvre Stream/tide b a n k 78
Steering in waves and swell Long swells are fun and the cox can aid the speed of the boat by calling for faster shorter strokes as the boat rises on the wave. In this way the boat is born along on the crest of the wave and can attain high speeds. However caution is required! 79
Steering in waves and swell If the boat is heading directly into waves it can become very hard work for the rowers. The waves constantly check the speed of the boat and waves often break over the bow. In these conditions it may be more comfortable and faster to angle the boat to the waves reducing their impact. 80
Steering and Manoeuvring Steering in waves and swell Short breaking following seas are much more difficult to deal with. As the boat starts to accelerate down the face of the wave the rudder becomes progressively less effective. In extreme cases the boat may yaw to one side and broach into the trough, tipping the rowers and the Cox into the surf. 81
Steering and Manoeuvring Steering in waves and swell Coxes must make sure that the boat is kept at right angles to the following sea by anticipating the boat movement and making small subtle adjustments to the rudder. Never angle a boat down the face of a breaking wave. 82
Steering and Manoeuvring Steering on rivers & estuaries Make sure you have a knowledge of the river flow and sandbank formation With the river flow Always keep to the outside of bends never cut corners Stay in the centre of the river Be aware of fast flowing and shallow water Stay in dark water Against the river flow Stay out of the main stream (closer to the bank) Look for eddies in the current Watch out for cavitation 83
Steering & Manoeuvring Practical 9 Launch a boat safely. Steer a designated course. Command some different methods to turn the boat. Turn in different directions. Land a boat safely. 84
Module 6 British Rowing Technique for coxes 85
British Rowing Technique for Coxes Use your senses What can you see? What can you hear? What can you feel? See the British Rowing Technique for Coxes resource 86
What can you see? Crew & individual blade-work Crew & individual body technique 87
Technique What can you hear? Crew & individual blade-work Sound of the catches clonk of the releases, etc.. Crew & individual breathing Signs of stress/work or no work! 88
What can you feel? Rhythm. Timing of catch and release Acceleration of the boat / heaviness of boat Trim / Balance of the boat 89
Resources Videos Coxing the tideway http://www.horr.co.uk/wordpress/coxing-the-tideway/ Books Coxing; surviving the wilderness years Tom Hooper. 90