Coxswain Clinic for Steering The Head of the Charles® Regatta

October 21st and 22nd, 2011

Supporting sponsors: Concept 2, Nielsen-Kellerman, & row2k.com

Yaz Farooq teams up with Head Of The Charles® Regatta Chairman of Rules and Appeals Committee, John Lambert for the 10th Annual “How to Cox the Perfect Head Race” clinic at the Head Of The Charles®. Together they’ll help coxswains tackle the twists and turns of America's toughest head race and gear up for head racing season. This year Yaz will again share video examples from the coxswain seat and from shore. John Lambert will demonstrate the specifics of handling traffic through bridges and avoiding penalties.

Whether you're a veteran cox or a novice you'll learn techniques for better race calling, smart tactical moves in high-pressure situations and how to effectively pace your team. Handouts will include specifics on effective steering and the HOCR course itself. If you attended last year it's worth coming back. Coaches are welcome.

Officially sanctioned and STRONGLY recommended by the Head of the Charles® Regatta.

The 2011 Clinic will feature:

o Video shot from the coxswain seat and shore.

o Tactical adjustments to handle the big turns and bridges when in heavy traffic.

o Stroke by stroke instructions for nailing the Weeks Bridge turn

o Detailed diagrams that illustrate how to avoid penalties and collisions.

o Course and warm-up patterns explained in detail.

o How to effectively steer a bowloader in a head race.

o Head racing steering, strategies, pacing, Q&A.

Reviews from past clinics:

“I wish I had this clinic four years ago when I first raced here--would have saved me a ton of headache. This was fabulous. THANK YOU!”

“Thank you. The clinic was very helpful for the nerves. Even though the Charles is my home course, one can never be prepared enough.”

“Really expert knowledge which can be useful to all coxswains at all levels.”

This year there will be two sessions:

Session #1: Friday, October 21st (11:30am - 1:00pm)

Location: Laviettes Pavilion at Harvard University's Murr Athletic Center

65 North Harvard Street, Boston (near Anderson Bridge and Harvard Stadium)

Cost is $15 at the door - No Pre-Registration needed.

Session #2: Saturday, Oct. 22nd (8:00am - 9:30am)

Location: Buckingham Browne & Nichols School - Upper School Building

80 Gerry's Landing Road, Cambridge - (across from Cambridge Boat Club)

Cost is $15 at the door - No Pre-Registration needed.

Clinic booklets will be provided for each session. Also great door prizes from Nielsen-Kellerman and COXSWAINation! Clinics will start on time and will last 90 minutes.

About Yaz Farooq

Yaz was the Women's 8+ cox on the U.S. Team from 1989 to 1996, winning three World Championship silver medals and one gold in that time. She competed in the 1992 and 1996 Olympics. Yaz's favorite race is the Head of the Charles—a regatta her crews have won numerous times.

Yaz lived in Boston from 1989-1992 while training for the U.S. Team and says that she put in so many miles on the Charles that the course has been permanently etched in her brain. Yaz began rowing at the University of Wisconsin in 1984, and raced the Head Of The Charles® for the first time in 1985. She currently serves as the Head Women’s Rowing Coach at Stanford University.

About John Lambert

John first started rowing at Christ's College, Cambridge, England in 1969. He moved to Boston in 1982 and soon became a member of Cambridge Boat Club, eventually serving as Club President from 1996-98. John has rowed for CBC in every Head Of The Charles® since 1986, and is a member of an active group of CBC masters sweep rowers that regularly competes in European "Head" races. John has been involved in the Head Of The Charles® regatta organization in some capacity ever since first volunteering in 1983, and currently serves as a Managing Director on the Board of Head Of The Charles, Inc. John oversees the Rules and Appeals for the 2011 regatta.