Indiana University Athletics
Training in Tampa - Betsy Hibbard
1/7/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
Jan. 7, 2006
TAMPA, Fla. - The Indiana rowing team is currently training in Tampa, Fla., for its winter training trip from Dec. 31 to Jan. 7. The Hoosiers will write in to IUHOOSIERS.com from time to time to let everyone know how the team is doing. Junior Betsy Hibbard is the sixth to report in from Tampa.
I'm not a typical Big Ten student-athlete. The most physical activity I did this past week was a run when the fog was too thick. I'm a coxswain. Cox-what? I'm most known as the person who sits up front and yells. I see myself more as a race car driver or a horse jockey. I steer, strategize, coach and motivate. I juggle activities and become better and better at it over time.
And after winning races, I get thrown into the water.
So this morning, my first task is to wake up. We expect both the rowers and the coxswains to be on their toes from the first stroke from the dock until the last one in, I can't sleep through the warm up. Despite the chilly, strong winds today, we went out in two mixed eights. The varsity eight and the top freshman boat mixed up. As much as I like just working with the varsity, I enjoy helping the unexperienced rowers get faster. I watch their oar blades for technical flaws and then help them correct it. It's important for coxswains to understand boat feel and how rowers contribute to it. After almost seven years of coxing, I have developed a feel for when the boat is moving well, or when something is preventing speed.
Technique stuff. For example, we really drill on how high the blade stays off the water in between strokes. If all the blades stay level, the boat will stay set. It's easy to drop hands, which causes the blade to sky, which will delay the catch, throw off the balance and slow the boat. I would say, "So-and-so, we're dropping the hands on the last quarter of the recovery, force them up." Then, when she corrects it, I let her know.
For longer practices, such as this morning and yesterday, I do a lot of that stuff. Then, during shorter practices like this afternoon, I focus on getting the rowers to move together and give out info. My job is to get anal about getting all eight rowers to do things at the exact time. This afternoon, we did one-minute on (full pressure near race pace) and then two-minutes off pieces. I watched the clock and call the rowers on.
"Alright Indiana, let's go! One minute, ON!"
We'll then build up the rate, and I watch the speed pick up! It's a great ride! I'll call out the speed, according to an impellar on the bottom of the boat, which tells me how fast the boat moves through 500 meters. I remind them of things like accelerating the body and keeping hands up. I allow myself to get intense and excited. I let them know how much time is left and keep them going to the last second.
At the same time, I look out for turns in the river, boats, debris, shallow objects and beaches. I also remind them of our shared goals. Goals we will reach and have made huge leaps this week towards!
My job doesn't end after a race or piece, not even at the dock. After leading the boat into racks, which sometimes involves problem solving skills dealing with odd placed poles and trees, my job is done. Sure I get a lot of grief for my job...and lots of headaches...got to love two-a days. but the rush during a race, even competing between boats at practice, is the best feeling ever. I love my role. I love demanding the best from these student-athletes, and even though I fight and hide, I love being thrown in after winning!
Go Hoosiers!!!
