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By George Kirschbaum
The role of coxswain comes with great responsibility, and with that responsibility comes great pressure. We are not supposed to let on when we feel it but inevitably we will.
What do you do when you aren’t feeling your most confident, when the seeds of doubt creep in and you question whether you’re capable of doing the job?
First, remember that everyone goes through periods of self-doubt.
“I always had self-doubt,” said 2004 Olympic champion coxswain Pete Cipollone, who also won three world championships in the late ’90s, a silver (2003) and a bronze (2002) in the eight as well as worlds gold (1995) and silver (1994) in the coxed four. “It is an essential motivator.”
The way to head off these moments is to begin learning as much as you can about the sport and to keep learning. Knowledge is power, and that knowledge gives you the basis for acting. Sometimes the action you take leads to success, sometimes to less-than-desired outcomes, but it’s always a learning experience, and that learning experience leads to wisdom.
“My confidence was highest when I knew I had done everything in my control to prepare,” Cipollone said. “This meant practice, practice, practice—not until I got it right, but until I could not get it wrong.”
Wisdom and experience give you the self-sustaining confidence you need when things get tough. Don’t be afraid to take chances or make mistakes.
“I learned to embrace the notion that the first step to being great at something is being bad at it—and doing it anyway,” Cipollone said.
If you are unsure, turn to a trusted coach, coxswain, or other mentor for advice.
“Early in my career, Coach [Mike] Teti told me, ‘It’s only a mistake if you make it twice.’ It was one of the most important pieces of coaching I ever got.”
Ask questions and think through the answers carefully. Stay positive and know you’ll have ups and downs. Just remember to keep your bow pointed in the right direction.
George Kirschbaum, author of the Down and Dirty Guide to Coxing, is a coach and a member of the USRowing Safety Committee, serving as the Mid-Atlantic representative. When not advocating for safety, he can be found championing the building of a boathouse in Arlington, Va. He can be reached at george@thecoxguide.com
