WORDS JAMES BUCKMAN PHOTOGRAPHY VASCO PINHOL
The knowledgeable coxswain understands that using the rudder can disrupt the speed and balance of the boat. Steering however is an inevitability, even on straight courses. There is rarely little more guidance given to a coxswain other than “avoid collisions” or “get on the inside of the turn”, and so rarely any way for them to learn how to steer effectively besides boat-feel and raw experience. That said, rudders are simple mechanisms that can be analyzed practically. It is imperative that the elite coxswain understands as much about this device as possible.