4B
Friday, January 31, 1997
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Shannon Krider, sophomore coxswain, encourages her teammates during practice in Allen Field House.
Coxswains' instructions important for rowers
Lightweight rowers work out as hard as others in team
By Seth Hoffman
Kansan Sportswriter
To some people the idea of being called a coxswain might not be too appealing, but the KU rowers who claim the title are not at all shy about it.
The coxswain (pronounced cocksin) is the person in a team's boat who is responsible for keeping the boat on course.
be for keeping the boat stable. Coxswains are responsible for steering and making sure everyone is rowing in sync. A common misconception about the coxswain is that they merely sit at the back of the boat and enjoy the ride. But there is much more to coxing than that.
Coaches always look for a small rower to fill the job.
“It's interesting because you can see how what you're saying affects the boat."
Karen Chandler Juniorcoxwain
"The idea is that we use someone who is small to reduce the overall weight of the boat," said Tami Odell, assistant rowing coach.
Coxswains aren't merely lightweights, though.
"They're really a coach on the water," Odell said. "Since the coach can't be out there giving instructions, like in basketball and other sports, the responsibility rests on them."
The KU coxswains enjoy the extra respon-
sibling.
"It's an empowering feeling. We kind of direct what's going on," said Karen Chandler, junior coxswain.
sibility.
Chandler said a good coxswain knew the nuances of each rower and would correct the rowers' imperfections immediately.
"It's their job to tell what's wrong as far as technical problems," she said. "We take as much responsibility as the rowers. We work really hard."
"They really work hard to earn the respect of the rest of the team." Odell said.
Odell said the coxswains work out and run stairs with the other rowers.
Indirectly, a good coxswain can make the difference between winning and losing.
The KU rowing team has big goals for the spring season.
"It's interesting because you can see how what you're saying affects the boat," Chandler said.
"We want to qualify for the NCAA Championships," said Chandler.
The spring season starts March 15, when the KU team will compete against Creighton University at Clinton Lake.
Contributed photo
The KU Sail Club uses sailboats outside campus buildings to help recruit new members into the organization. The club places the boats outside of Strong Hall and the Kansas Union throughout the semester to raise interest.
Club sailed through period of low interest
Faculty and community contribute to growth
By Aerica Veazey Kansan sportswriter
If you walk into Robinson Center on Feb 15 and feel like you need to rub your eyes, don't worry; you're not seeing spots. You are seeing the KU Sail Club practicing during the off-season.
John Siceloff, Belle Plaine senior and vice commodore, said the KU Sail Club had planned to set up large fans in the Robinson pool to practice capsizing the boats. The fans will create waves in the water.
Siceloff said that the practice helps the club members know what to do in case they are in the boat when it overturns.
"I know it sounds silly, but when I cappized in Clinton Lake, I knew what to do," Siceloff said.
The club hasn't always been all fun and games. During the 1980s and early '90s, membership dropped.
According to Jenny Keller, Prairie Village senior and commodore, the club fell apart because faculty was not allowed to join the club. Recently, membership has risen because of membership drives and heavy recruiting on campus.
Keller attributes the renewed interest in
the club to Chicago freshman Chris Draver.
Drayer. He has handed out flyers, sat at tables and talked to students about the club. Drrayer helped put the sail boats in front of Strong Hall and the Kansas Union to attract attention.
"I wanted to show others how fun sailing is," Drayer said. "You can get a lot out of sailing."
sailing. The club has also extended into the Lawrence community. Due to the generosity of an avid local sailor, throughout the next year members will restore a donated antique wooden boat.
antique wooden suit Keller said the club plans to recruit "at risk" Lawrence youth to assist it in the renovations.
"After the restoration is done, we want to teach them to sail," she said. "It will give the kids a sense of direction."
Corporate sponsorship is supplying the necessary funds needed to restore the boat.
At their meeting Wednesday, the club discussed the cost of sailing and sightseeing in the San Diego area for a week. The group plans to go to the area either during the first or last part of this summer.
People who are interested in the KU Sail Club are encouraged to join. The KU Sail Club has a web page located at http://www.ukans.edu/~kusail
"You can learn to sail in 30 minutes, but it takes years to perfect," Keller said.
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