As a coxswain on the women’s crew team, this fall has created a unique opportunity for me to become a pseudo rower. Generally my role on the team is to tell my teammates when to do what, hype them up so we go fast, and steer the boat. Because of social distancing restrictions this year, we are not allowed in our big boats and can only go out in singles. Our coaches opened up the opportunity for us coxswains to learn how to row, which we all gladly accepted. The team has been broken up into three pods of six rowers, and I am part of the coxswain pod with the other women’s team coxswains. The coxswain pod gets to do a little bit of everything. We lift and do circuits with the team, watch some practices from the coaches’ launch, and alternate rowing with pods.
While it is not the same as being together as a whole team everyday, we have made the best of the situation. In particular I have been able to learn from the coaches on the launch, and I have also been able to gain a better appreciation for what my teammates physically do every practice. The rowers have also gained a better understanding of what it takes to be a coxswain because now they have to launch, dock, and steer the boat all on their own. While it has not been a normal season by any means, we have done our best to make the best of the situation. And at the end of the day we still get to see the sun set on Messalonskee Lake.