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Pre-Race Checklist for Masters Coxswains
Masters coxswains have different responsibilities than high school and collegiate coxswains. See how this system compares to your own pre-race prep.
1. Access the heat sheet online
Look it up as soon as it's available and check it to make sure none of your race times conflict with each other. Masters regattas often involve many races throughout the day, and even the most organized coaches can accidentally boat you in two races back-to-back, or put your name in as a placeholder for a TBD coxswain and forget to find a substitute.
Check the online heat sheet again the night before the race (or the morning of, if you have time) to get updated times and lane assignments. These can change right up until the time of your race, so it's a good idea to load the webpage onto your smartphone and double-check it as close to your race as possible.
2. Get directions to the venue
Know when and where your team is meeting. It's not enough to know, for example, that the race is taking place at East Fork State Park; there are multiple entrances to the park and going to the wrong one will delay your arrival by 30 minutes at least (personal experience).
3. Get a map of the race course
Learn the lane arrangement and traffic pattern (by convention, lanes are numbered in ascending order from the shore on which the finish line judge is standing). If you look over the course map ahead of time, you'll get much more out of the coaches and coxswains meeting, and you can generate questions for the referees while you still have a chance to ask them.
4. Charge your devices
CoxBox batteries typically take 6-8 hours to fully charge (up to 9.5 hours if they're really low), and the SpeedCoach takes about 4-6 hours, so don't wait until race day to plug those suckers in.
5. Pack two bags
One for the things that you'll need with you in the boat, and a second bag for anything else you want to have with you. Place the boat bag next to the devices you have charging so you don't forget them.
