The San Diego Crew Classic holds a special place in my heart.  Over my rowing career I have been lucky enough to race at the crew classic 7 times and coach a crew of masters women down to race to win. I’ve always wanted to offer coxing clinics at the Crew Classic because it is a tough but rewarding course to navigate.

Challenges you’ll find at the Crew Classic

• beach launching
• organizing the sometime long trek down to the beach launching
• tide
• choppy water
• salt water
• sail boats as stake boats
• distraction of Sea World
• losing focus of the buoy line and getting on a diagonal
• getting caught off guard from the cross wind
• dealing with probably your first 6-boat across race of the season

In addition to addressing the craziness of the course we will get into the nitty gritty of spring sprint racing.  I’m giving two different kinds of clinics during the racing weekend, so kick off the new racing season right and get dialed.

Option #1: Small Group Racing Clinic

When:

• Friday, April 5th
  • 10-11:30am
  • 2-3:30pm
• Saturday, April 6th
  • 9-10:30am

Max: 10 coxswains each session

Open to all age groups and levels

Registration: Click on the times above or click on this link, Regatta Central, and scroll down to the 9th Seat logo.

This small group clinic will allow for a round table discussion atmosphere.  I want to make sure that all coxswains attending will receive personal attention while having the opportunity to learn from other coxswain’s style and questions.  We’ll listen to all audio examples brought to the session as well as some of my race tapes.  The goal for this session is to leave feeling ready to race and confident that your words will make your teammates better and your boat faster.

At the clinic you’ll get a 9th Seat t-shirt and discounts to Boathouse Sports and Rubini Jewlery.

Please bring:

• an audio example of either a practice race piece or a full blown race (head cam footage is good too)
• notebook
• three goals you want to achieve this race season
• questions!

What We’ll Cover:

• handling Crew Classic Challenges
• race strategy
• filtering information
• motivation
• steering
• situational awareness

Option #2: One-on-One Session

When:

• Friday, April 5th
  • 8am
  • 9am
  • 5pm
• Saturday, April 6th
  • 11am
  • 12:15pm
  • 1:30pm
  • 2:45pm
  • 4pm
• Other times may be available upon request. Feel free to email me! (scroll down and fill in the text boxes)

Open to all age groups

Registration: Click on the times above  or click on this link, Regatta Central, and scroll down to the 9th Seat logo.

Here is your chance to have an hour session to ask me anything you want…in regards to rowing and coxing.  Bring as many audio examples you have or want to share with me and your race plans and we’ll talk some major shop.  I’ll provide you with a questionnaire before hand and you’ll submit me your first choice of audio or head cam footage you want to make sure we cover during the session. I want to be prepped and ready to utilize our full hour session to help make you a better leader, decision maker, and racer.  The best part about this One-on-One session is that we’ll have a complimentary follow up session via Skype to review your race at the Crew Classic to see the changes you made and to create new goals to help you continue to expand your skills in the 9th seat!

In addition to learning all my tips and tricks you’ll get a 9th Seat t-shirt and discounts to Boathouse Sports and Rubini Jewelry. You’ll also get a 10% discount to my summer camp this July!  If you are attending the spaghetti feed look for my reserved table that I’ll be hosting just for the One-on-One coxswain sessions.

Steer Straight and see you in San Diego!

Mwhip+

The post San Diego Crew Classic Coxswain Clinic appeared first on 9th Seat.

A:   It is perfectly normal to be nervous for your first couple of practice on the water.  Just remember why you love coxing and make sure that comes out in the first couple of practices.  You will make mistakes and when you do shrug it off and quickly move on to the right decision or direction.  Your goal for the first couple of practice on winter training camps should be about executing efficient boat maneuverability and executing your coaches directions as efficiently as possible.

For the first two water sessions I would:

• Focus on steering straight
• Notice technical focuses and changes
• Get your boat spun and headed where it needs to be first
• Then think about motivation

**Accuracy on execution of the workout should get you more coxswain street cred than cheerleading!

By the time your winter training camp is in full swing and short race pieces are being worked into practice you’ll be ready to handle all of the above bulleted items in addition to adding your personality and the vibe of your team’s goals into your motivations.  Never sacrifice accuracy and steering for motivating.  Use winter training trips to help you prepare for when you return to campus and start training for spring races.  That way the first day of practice back at home to start where you left off at winter training camp.

Steer Straight!

mwhip+

The post 4 Tips for Winter Training Camps appeared first on 9th Seat.

1. Where did you move from?
2. What do you do?

This is all of course before dropping the Olympic bombshell upon meeting someone for the first time.  You see, I feel that I want to have the person get to know me as just plain ‘ole Mary before knowing what I’ve gotten to do and accomplish over the last better half of my life.

So the answer to the first question is, “I’ve recently moved from Princeton, NJ.

I’ve been living in New Jersey on and off for the past 12 years which sounds crazy to this West Coast girl.  I’ve gained some perspective since leaving that New Jersey is not the “arm pit of America” but truly is the “Garden State.”

On our afternoons off from training a bunch of us would drive east to the shore which I made plenty of exit errors because again to this West Coast girl, you head west to the beach not east!  Spending our time off at the shore reminded me of all the great things New Jersey has to offer.  Pizza by the slice,  home made ice cream parlors, and spending the night at friend’s shore houses are experiences that I will always remember.

So after Hurricane Sandy hit and destroyed most of the shore area my two friends Melissa Klepacki and Ali Cox formed a non-profit called Restore our Shore.  All money raised gets given out as grants to local businesses affected by the storm.  Their goal is to have a zero balance after every giving period.  So when asked to help out a place I’ve driven to countless of times to get a refreshing break from all the training stresses, it was a no-brainer.  After two months since the storm please keep those affected by Hurricane Sandy in your thoughts and prayers and for those who feel moved to do something to help please donate like I did.

As for answering question #2, that is a whole other blog post!

Steer Straight,

mwhip+

The post New Jersey: Only the Strong Survive appeared first on 9th Seat.

Today is the naming date for the London Olympics.  There are six hours left until the names have to be officially turned in.  Olympic selection is brutal.  As I said in part one of this three-part blog series, each blog is about the different Olympic cycles I have participated in; Athens, Beijing, and London.  I remember the naming date for Beijing well.  The morning of it we were seat racing for the final position in the boat.  We all had our roles to do regardless if we were directly getting switched.  Each one of us wanted the fastest line up, period.  It’s moments like seat racing for final Olympic selection that brings out a level of commitment to the process and professionalism.

For me, I knew what was at stake because of my experience from Athens.  I knew that I needed to be consistent with my calls emotionally and that the stroke rate and rhythm needed to be accurate between all pieces.  That kind of professionalism allowed us to find the right combination of athletes for the Beijing Olympics. We were being true to the process.  That combination brought six young guns and three veterans together.  Caryn, Anna and I brought the characteristics and foundation from the Athens Olympic cycle and the young guns picked up on that attitude and ran away with it.  That sense of motivating each other to build a level of excitement and trust was a special team dynamic.  As one of the leaders in that boat I made sure the mix of experienced and rookie attitude formed into one goal that I communicated to them the whole way down the race course.

The Beijing cycle shaped me into the Olympian I am today.  It gave me the experience to confidently say that success is about the journey and not ultimately about the destination.  Having that Olympic Gold medal represents more to me now than just winning a race. When I look at my Beijing medal I see more than Gold, I remember every step of the journey that it took to get to the middle of the podium. I get it now when people say that they are excited to go to work every day.  Or that they can’t believe they get paid to do the job that they do.  Well, I might not be getting paid wages in that regard, but I can’t believe I have been given the opportunities that I have had through the sport of rowing.  Now as an Olympian I get to share those experiences of leadership, teamwork and motivations to people from all walks of life.

The best memory from Beijing that will stay forever with me is the excitement I had to race with my teammates on the day of the final.  We weren’t afraid to execute the race we knew we had in us.  There were plenty of nerves, but the kind that were more out of anticipation.  The feeling of wanting to be no where else but at that start line with 8 other women you completely had faith in will never leave me.

Tonight the nominations will be submitted for the 2012 Olympic Rowing Team and by tomorrow the athletes nominated will finally be able to answer the question they have been dodging for four years, “Are you going to race in the Olympics?” Tomorrow their answer will be, “YES, I am going to compete in the Olympics!”

Good Luck to all the US rowers fighting for their Olympic dream!

mwhip+

The post The Olympian I Was, Am, and Want to Be: Part II appeared first on 9th Seat.

Many coxswains ask me about what summer camps I think are good.  I am not working with a summer camp this year so I’m not sure how to answer this question.  I do know that coxswains need to make sure that there is a dedicated coach for them at the summer camp they choose to attend.  Being coached by someone new will help you learn how to adapt to new situations and I think that is an important trait a coxswain needs to master.  Every crew is different and every session has a different feel and goal.  Learning how to adapt and change to what the coach is asking you to do and changing to the needs of your crew will help you become a better coxswain.

I also believe that you do not necessarily need to attend a summer camp to become a better coxswain.  If I had to choose between attending a rowing summer camp or a camp where I could learn to be a better athlete, I would choose a camp where I could test my athletic abilities.  If you need to become a better motivator then put yourself into a situation where you need to talk yourself through a physical challenge.  If you want to become sharper in your decision skills then put yourself in a stressful environment where you have to make split second decisions.  Lastly, if you need to make sure you stay at coxswain weight put yourself in an environment that will allow you to stay active in a fun way.

Last Friday in between practices I decided to take a running clinic given by my new good friend Brian MacKenzie who founded Crossfit Endurance.  While my teammates rest in between practices I usually use that time to squeeze in my workout for the day.  I technically don’t have to workout, I am at coxswain weight naturally thanks to my wonderful parents giving me the right metabolism and body for coxing.  (Thanks Mom and Dad!)  I, however, feel motivated and inspired by my teammates to stay fit especially for the odd days when weather keeps us on land and a team “jog” (which is really a full on run for me)  is scheduled for practice.  I want to make sure I’m ready to workout with the team and lift with the team.  It helps me experience a small glimpse of what they go through so when I have to ask for more during a workout on the water they know I am fully aware of what I’m asking them to do.

So, this summer I challenge you to stay active so you can show up to your first crew practice a better athlete and better athletically minded. Getting coached how to move your own body helps you become a better coxswain. Especially if you pay attention to how your coach is instructing you.  You might like how they tell you what to do or you might not like how they instruct you.  Either way you are learning how you like to be communicated to while you are working out.  A good coxswain would take note of the good and bad advice they receive and then bring some of that good coaching into the coxswain seat, the 9th seat.

Below is some of what I was learning while taking that running clinic from Brian. I learned that I was a heel striker and how to fix it.  I also learned how to do a prober dead lift.  Above all, this is me trying to be more athletic!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7UIIHddtk4

Keep a look out for more information about my coxswain only summer camp coming in 2013.  Athletic coxswains wanted!  ;-)

Steer Straight!

Mwhip+

The post How to be a better coxswain? Become an Athlete. appeared first on 9th Seat.

As the naming date for the London Olympics quickly approaches I find myself thinking back to the previous two naming dates that I’ve been apart of. I’ve realized that I’ve come a long way since my early rowing days at Capital Crew and the University of Washington.  Since I’m training for my third Olympic cycle I’ve decided to break this blog up into three parts as well: Athens, Beijing and moving towards London.

My career as an Olympian shadows that of my friends who have entered into the work world or “real world”.  Young guns trying to prove themselves in a world filled with veterans.  While training for Athens I was the young gun, naïve and ready to take on the world.  I thought since I had success in the college ranks then why shouldn’t I have success on the senior level?

Then reality set in.  I still remember to this day the feeling of getting dropped off the line at my first World Championships.  It was 2001 in Lucerne and we were a boat filled with rookies.  There were a few who had international experience but for the most part we were all representing the US for the first time on the senior level.  The goal was simple, get out and race hard.  We took off with the field for at least 25 strokes until the first important lesson we learned as a team happened.  Never settle.  As soon as we took what most of us learned in college, the “settle” or as I called it, “Settle in two!”, we got left behind.

It was the first of many lessons learned during that World Championships, but I learned to adapt and I made sure that I’d paid attention to how the elite level of racing felt and was executed.  It paid off because the next year we went on to become World Champions.  The most important lesson I learned from the Athens years was how to be relentless as a team. We had our ups and downs during the four years, but we never gave up when some considered we’d might continue down the path of previous US women’s 8+’s by not medaling at the Olympics.  It was that kind of young gun attitude and freshness any new hire brings to the workplace that helped end the drought. We had something to prove to each other and didn’t care what the outside world thought about us.  That kind of determination and trust that we developed in each other helped us fight for that silver medal.

What I’m most proud of from that Olympic cycle was the foundation we laid for the years to come.  Most of the women training for Athens were products of successful collegiate rowing teams.  We all believed in unity and a positive team culture.  Uniting nine individuals with different strengths made us a stronger unit.  We all new our individual roles were valued and important in creating our Athens identity.

Mwhip+

The post The Olympian I Was, Am, and Want to Be: Part I appeared first on 9th Seat.

The post Weather: Preparing for the Worst, Planning for the Best appeared first on 9th Seat.

Taking off at the start of the 2011 Lucerne World Cup

I’ve received a couple of e-mails asking me how to get rid of the winter blues or how to survive the long winter months of indoor training. I had a hard time relating to these questions only because I have been privileged to spend this winter at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA.  Winter blues do not exist for me when the sun is out and I have to apply sunscreen during January and February. I do however get restless when our training focuses more on small boats and not the big boat.  When I do get the chance to get back into the mix of practice I have to make sure I don’t waste time by making mistakes. Especially when the rowers steer their boats and organize practice without me.

So when it is your turn to hop back into the coxswain’s seat this month keep these simple suggestions in mind so you don’t make the common mistakes most coxswains make during the first week back.

• Less talking and better steering–The first couple of days of practice no one will notice how quiet you may think you are being.  Rowers starting trusting you more when they don’t have to second guess your decisions.  How you steer your boat will separate yourself from the other coxswains.  Coxswains try to fix all the technical problems of their rowers or try to be the ultimate motivator on day one.  Take the time during the first week back on the water to solidify your boat handling skills.

• Start even, end even–If you want to be considered as the top coxswain of your club or team start to organize practice by making sure all boats are level and no more than 5 feet apart. If you have a coxswain on your team that always drifts past you make sure to have your stern pair ready to pull it up even.  For the goal of stopping even sometimes you have to hold a drill longer in order to stop even.  Make sure to communicate to your rowers that your 10 strokes are done but you are continuing to row in order to pull up to the other boat  ahead that has already finished their drill sequence. If the problem of other coxswains drifting past you still occurs make sure to nicely talk to your coxswain teammate off of the water and make it a team goal to start even and stop even between different aspects of practice.

• Slow down your speech–Racing is just around the corner so more builders and 20′s are going to happen during practice.  When race intensity starts to happen in practice make sure your words don’t speed up as well.  As the rate increases coxswains tend to try and squeeze in full sentences while still trying to count out every stroke.  Count inside your head while giving important information. The NK stroke counter on your cox box is your friend during 20 or 30 stroke pieces.  Give your rowers time to digest your words to make what you’re saying really count.

• Listen to the work out and don’t forget it–Don’t be afraid to write down the workout. Athletic tape works really well for writing  line-ups and the work out.  Remember to remove the tape from the deck or gunwale after the practice.  It’s one of my pet peeves when getting into a boat and having to remove the other coxswain’s line up.  Only because it leaves a sticky residue sometimes. More importantly, running a smooth practice and not having to ask your stroke or your coach what to do next will only help your stock and value increase.

• Dock like you mean it–Have you ever heard of the expression, “Fake it until you make it?” That is exactly what you have to do when docking. If you sound scared or indecisive your rowers will probably take matters into their own hands and mistakes will happen.  Have a plan and then have a plan-B. Notice the wind and current to gauge the speed you need to approach the dock.  Practice makes perfect and above all don’t forget to lean away…

I hope these simple suggestions will help you avoid these common mistakes.  Spring racing is right around the corner so selection for racing boats start with nailing practice. If you are not happy with where you rank on your team right now there is still time to change by becoming more reliable in practice.  If you would like more help I’m accepting more coxswain students this spring.  Please see my Coaching: one-on-one page for the two options I have for coxswains who want to work with me to better their coxing skills.

The post 5 Mistakes Coxswains Make When First Getting Back into the Boat appeared first on 9th Seat.

Hello Coxswains!

I wanted to let everyone know that I’ll be up at The Head of the Charles this year.  The main reason why I’m headed up there is to promote and sell our 2012 Power and Grace Calendar. It is bigger and better than last years and the best part is that the whole team took part in creating this fundraiser with all proceeds going towards our daily training expenses.

So you can buy your 2012 Power and Grace Calendar here or you can come visit us at the USrowing booth in the Expo tent until 2pm on Saturday.  We then will be at the Win Tech tent from 2-4pm signing autographs on newly purchased calendars for anyone who shows up.  We’ll probably even sign the most random things you can come up with.  I’m excited because one of my fans is coming to see me so that I can sign their cox box!  I’ve only signed one of those so far in my career and it was a cool experience.

I’ll even give free advice to anyone who needs tips on how to drive-it-like-you-stole-it on the Charles river.

Good luck to all those first timers on the course and to all the veterans out there…Let’s keep it clean

You can get more info about our Calendar on our Facebook Page.

Please follow us on Twitter to keep up to date on where we will be selling our Calendars at local regattas!

For all those last minute coxswains who need advice on the turns check out one of my old posts that I leave in the “Featured Article” box at the top of my website linked here.

Mwhip+

2012 Power and Grace Calendar Photo

The post I’ll be at Head of the Charles! appeared first on 9th Seat.

Starting area in Bled. Our hotel is right behind me!

We left Princeton 13 days ago but it seems longer.  Maybe because we’ve done so much and by so much I mean rowing.  This time of year is when all the months of training pay off and when boat speed starts to show.

We’ve had a pretty fun racing season so far because of Henley and Lucerne.  I should have updated my experiences while there but I feel like there are so many blogs and information out there already that I waste my time reading others updates and never allow myself enough time to focus on my blog.  I do a much better job updating my twitter and facebook pages so if you ever get annoyed that I don’t update this website go and check those two places first and bug me there to get my act together and update this thing.  I also have links on the left side of my website page.  This also includes all the questions I’ve been sitting on that coxswains have asked me through my “ask” page.  Please do keep sending me your questions and if you don’t hear from me then ask again and call me out!  Please be nice about it though

Three of my teammates have been doing way better jobs than me on the blogging front. Check out Megan Kalmoe’s, Jamie Redman’s and Esther Lofgren’s blogs because I strive to be like them one day with all their multi media additions which are definitely fan favorites.

The best part about Munich was the ability to jump into the water right after practice.  Growing up in Orangevale, CA and learning to row on Lake Natoma spoiled me into thinking that all lakes were swimmable.  Lake Carnegie in Princeton, NJ burst that bubble. Another great part of Munich was at every dinner there were two forms of potato.  I haven’t met a potato dish that I haven’t liked!

Thumbs up in Munich

Swimming in Munich right after practice!

Since being in Bled the only difference in weather conditions is that our hotel in Munich had air conditioning.  The hotel in Bled is in a very convenient location with it being right on the starting line area but for those with the “ugly” view of the trees and not the lake we also have the pleasure of not having air conditioning.  I’ve been really blessed with the best roommate ever, Gevvie  Stone, who has the same needs as me.  We have perfected the balcony to front door draft by opening both doors and blasting our fan around the clock to help cool things down.  I’m excited to report that last night I actually used the covers to keep warm rather than sleeping on top of the covers.

Things are moving and shaking as racing starts.  You can follow the W8+ races with this link to World Rowing’s website.  My first race is tomorrow, Monday at 11:06am CET. We are racing in lane 1 against the Ukraine (lane 2), Great Britain (lane 3), and Germany (lane 4).  Winner goes directly to the A final where the top 5 finishers of the A final qualify their boat for the London Olympics.  We’re taking one step at a time and one race at a time.

Starting line area. Grandstands and anyone can watch the start for free.

On our walk to the course on the first day.

View from the start down a lane. The island on the left is at the 1500m mark.

We try and having matching uniforms while at Worlds except for College Uni Day!!

Go USA!

mwhip+

The post Coxing in Munich to Bled appeared first on 9th Seat.