In January 2021, Sparks celebrates 10 years of its coxswain curriculum - initially designed by bronze medalist Olympic coxswain Marcus McElhenney and then iterated and improved upon by two other Olympians and no less than nine national team coxswains from the US, Canada, and Holland.
We are happy to have seen alumni cox at every level of the collegiate system, on the junior national team, the senior team - and especially honored to see one of our instructors who came up through the system goto the Tokyo Olympics for the first time in the Canadian's Women's 8+.
Sparks runs the largest network of coxswain camps in the world with programing on the introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels on three continents. In addition, Sparks also offers coxswain eLearning in order to solve the problem many coxswains face of access to other, more experienced coxswains to help encourage and inspire their discipline and improvement.
FAQ
What does the coxswain curriculum teach?
The curriculum at base teaches coxswains to be aware enough of themselves to be able to evaluate current skils and structure expectations for improvment in three critical areas: steering, commands, and organization. The video above depicts it at our coxswains only camp, though campers at our collegiate camps have their own staff and also work through a version of the curriculum integrated with the rowing camps.
Which camp level is right for me?
This very much depends on where you are with coxing, your goals, and sometimes your college search.
The collegiate camps have their own coxswain coaching staff and coxswain curriculum off water, but are integrated with the rowing camp on-water and provide no specialized on-water coaching for coxswains.
At Coxswains Only and our advanced program in Holland, the rowers are typically rented such that the on-water coaching is entirely devoted to the coxswains and this allows an extra amount of intensity and learning. Normally, participants have been coxing for more than two seasons and average around three.
What can I expect to gain from the introductory level coxswain camps?
A more educated awareness of your responsibilities as a coxswain. The issue with coxing is that one can never be aware enough to be perfect - of one's self or of steering, commands, and organization. The introductory level of coxswain camps is meant to provide perspective via the unique locations and coaches available at the camp and exposure to our curriculum.
What can I expect to gain from the intermediate level coxswain camps?
To be challenged and to challenge yourself in your role as a coxswain and team member. At this level, the knowledge provided and the progression of programming becomes far more intensive. The athletes are generally rented - as a result, coaches are only focused on coaching coxswains on-water. You should enjoy coxing, have some racing experience (good and bad), and be able to articulate your goals to get the most out of your time at our intermediate level camps.
What can I expect to gain from the advanced/leadership level coxswain camps?
Sparks leadership level programming is about learning to use the challenge of the sport and your progression in it to better inform your own identity. You will be challenged to develop both technically and personally. You can expect the same technical knowledge and challenges as the intemediate level with a greater degree of personal introspection driven by immersion with your peers and environment.
