A coxswain (pronounced “KOX-in”) is the person who steers a rowing boat and directs the rowers during a race or practice. While everyone else rows, the coxswain sits facing forward, calling out commands, keeping the rhythm, and navigating the course. Think of them as part coach, part navigator, and part team captain, all in one.

In competitive rowing, eight or nine athletes work together in a long, narrow boat. The coxswain might be the smallest person on the team, but their job requires intense focus and leadership. They need to understand the river or course, watch for other boats, and make split-second decisions about strategy. During a race, the coxswain motivates the crew with sharp commands: “Power ten!” might mean ten powerful strokes to pull ahead of another boat, while “Weigh enough!” signals the crew to stop rowing.

The word comes from an old nautical term, since coxswains originally steered small boats on naval ships. Today, you'll hear the word mostly in rowing, where the coxswain's voice and judgment can make the difference between victory and defeat. A talented coxswain knows exactly when to push their crew harder and when to adjust their strategy, turning eight individual rowers into one unified force.