Learn to Cox Week - Beginners - 9/22 - 9/27 2008

9/15/2008


MEDIA RELEASE
Sept 13, 2008

CONTACT: Coach Neil Bergenroth
(918) 906-5233 (cell)
Email: coachb@tulsajuniorsrowing.org
Web: http://www.tulsajuniorsrowing.org

Learn To Cox with the Tulsa Rowing Club Juniors
Team Hosts Learn To Cox Week Sept 22nd – 27th

TULSA OK - The Tulsa Rowing Club Juniors Team will offer a Learn-To-Cox week to recruit high school age athletes who weigh 125lbs or less and are interested in learning how to steer and command racing shells on a competitive rowing team. Lessons will be held at the Tulsa Rowing Club Boathouse located on the west bank of the Arkansas River at 715 West 21st Street. Learn To Cox sessions run Monday, September 22nd through Saturday, September 27th from 4:15PM to 6:15PM. The fee for the week of coaching and equipment is $100, which will be pro-rated towards the rowing club membership fee if a participant decides to join for the season. Interested participants must submit an application and complete a swim test at a local YMCA. Required forms and information about the juniors program can be found at www.tulsajuniorsrowing.org

The Tulsa Rowing Club Juniors currently has 43 members but is in need of coxswains to maximize its sweep rowing program. “In my experience, a coxswain is the most important member of a sweep crew be that a four or an eight” said Head Coach Neil Bergenroth. Last year the juniors program graduated most of its coxswains placing them top division I rowing programs such as Yale, Gonzaga and OU. “It was a real loss to our program when they graduated, but I’m confident that these past team members will be assets to their collegiate programs”, said Coach Bergenroth

The coxswain of the crew steers the shell on the water and acts as a layer of leadership in the crew. Ideally, the person in the coxswain seat communicates to the crew in a way that maximizes the speed of the shell and creates a cohesive environment in race and practice situations.

Paige Fedon (Cascia Hall ‘08) was a member of the Tulsa Rowing Club Juniors for 3 and a half years and is presently a coxswain and member of the Yale Freshman Women’s Crew. When asked about the qualities a good coxswain should have Paige said, “Ideally, coxswains should weigh less than 125lbs and possess an intelligent personality that communicates and organizes effectively”. “Our coxswains are integral to a successful program and therefore it’s important at this time to see if there is anyone in the community who would like to step up to the challenge and become a part of our successful program and all of the opportunities it provides”, said Coach Bergenroth.