[S2] Ep. 11: Coach Rachel Le Mieux, Martha’s Moms

Safetyclubsracingrefereetrainingcoxingcoaching

Sep 15

Napoleon Griffin (L) with his 2x partner Donnie Jensen.

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As a 5’1, 108lb college freshman, Rachel Le Mieux was literally picked up and placed in a coxswain seat. Thirty five years later she’s the head coach of Martha’s Moms, a competitive masters women’s team in Seattle, WA. She’s also a USRowing referee and FISA umpire.

During her years in the cox seat, coach’s launch, and chase boat, Rachel’s seen her share of dodgy situations. Today, in her role as the Chair of the USRowing safety committee, she wants to make sure that rowers, coaches, and coxswains have the knowledge and skills to stay safe around the boathouse, at practice, and during regattas.

We talk boat feel, coxing commands, flipping a four at the dock, nearly losing your lunch after a race, the rich history of rowing in Washington, and a whole lot more.

TIME STAMPS
00:00 - Intro

3:50 - Rachel’s rowing week: Martha’s Moms HOCR boat, USRowing safety webinar

8:20 - Rachel’s coxing origin story

11:12 - Boat movement and feel

18:30 - Finding love and swing in a 2-

22:05 - Becoming a USRowing referee and FISA umpire

28:00 - Just what is it about rowing?

35:30 - Martha’s Moms and a debate about weigh/way enough

42:40 - When things go wrong

49:40 - What’s next for the USRowing Safety Committee and USRowing referee education?

54:08 - Rapid Fire Q&A

57:00 - Upcoming Steady State Network events