Next up In The Driver's Seat--where we hear from the folks who keep the shells straight and the crews on target--is coxswain Margaret Simmons.

Margaret has been coxing since seventh grade. Last year, she and her Harpeth Hall freshmen eight qualified for SRAAs, a first for the program, and raced their way into the semi-finals.

Let's hop In The Driver's Seat with Margaret:

row2k - Tell us what you see as the three most important things to being a successful coxswain:
Margaret Simmons - To me, the three most important things to being a successful coxswain come from more than the external views of having a big voice and encouraging persona but rather are rooted in knowing your team, having a sense of self confidence, and correctly preparing for an upcoming race.

Knowing your Crew: For me, knowing your crew is what I put at the top of my list. It allows me to effectively lead and communicate with my boat in order to reach our highest potential. It is important to me that the girls in my boat know me on and off the water. I make an effort to get to know each girl as a rower and a person, and try to allow them to do the same for me. I like to have the ability to get into their heads, to know exactly what to say that gets them to pull their hardest. Knowing how each rower reacts to certain calls helps you motivate the boat effectively. Additionally, when I know my rowers, I can sense when they will struggle or feel less motivated. This allows me to adjust the intensity of my calls to support that rower without compromising the boat's overall performance. I can also recognize when someone is off their game and needs a little extra motivation. Overall, I have found that when rowers feel that you genuinely know and care about them, they're more likely to trust you and respond positively to your calls. This trust is crucial in high-pressure situations like races or tough practices.

Having Confidence in Yourself: A coxswain who lacks confidence will lack the ability to succeed. Having confidence in yourself as a coxswain is crucial because your role directly influences the boat's performance, energy, and cohesion. If you aren't confident, the rowers will sense it, which can compromise their trust in your decisions. Confidence projects authority and helps the crew follow your calls without hesitation. Races and practices demand quick decisions, whether it's adjusting the strategy, steering, or making mid-race motivational calls. Confidence ensures you make those decisions without second-guessing yourself. If you seem unsure of what to do during a race, the other boats and officials may sense it and you risk appearing weaker as a crew. Out on the water, the energy of the boat is your responsibility; if you're confident, it inspires the rowers to stay positive, focused, and driven. Tough conditions, a bad practice, or a close race require a coxswain who can keep their composure; if you do not handle yourself well, then you lose trust within your crew. Gaining confidence in myself as coxswain has come from repetition, great coaches, and advice from fellow coxswains.

Having a Race Plan: A well-structured race plan is essential for any successful coxswain, providing a clear strategy to guide the crew through each stage of the race. Without a plan, the boat risks falling into chaos, reacting to the race instead of controlling it. A strong race plan sets expectations for the start, middle, and sprint, ensuring that every move is intentional and every power shift is executed well with purpose. A plan also helps me to make adjustments based on the boat's performance and external conditions, such as wind, water, or competition. Most importantly, a race plan builds trust. When the rowers know there is a strategy in place, they can focus on execution rather than uncertainty and they are drawn to trust in the coxswain's ability to lead. The coxswain's voice is the only thing keeping the crew connected throughout the race, and with a solid plan in mind, that voice can deliver clear, decisive calls that push the boat toward victory.

At the Head of the Hooch in 2023

row2k - What is your favorite drill to run with your crews? Any tips on how to do the drill well, for maximum effectiveness?
Margaret Simmons - Our warm-up drill, which we do every day. In this drill, every ten strokes, by four, the rowers pause at each part of the stroke.

The pauses focus on key positions: arms away, body over, up the slide, and at the finish. Each pause gives the rowers an opportunity to focus on a specific aspect of their stroke, helping them to better understand their body's movement throughout the entire motion. By breaking down the stroke this way, it allows the rowers to become more mindful of their form and technique. The pause at "arms away" ensures their arms are extended fully and that their bodies are properly aligned. At "body over," the rowers focus on their posture, engaging their core and ensuring they're prepared to drive from the legs. Pausing at "up the slide" allows them to check their slide control and positioning, making sure their legs are ready to push effectively. Finally, the pause at the "finish" helps them evaluate their body's position at the end of the stroke and prepare for the transition to the next stroke.

Breaking the stroke into these segments gives the rowers a deeper understanding of where their bodies should be at each point, and how each part of the stroke connects. It also builds muscle memory and reinforces proper technique, making the entire stroke flow more smoothly and efficiently.

row2k - What's some of the best coaching advice you've received about your coxing?
Margaret Simmons - Some of the most valuable advice I have ever received came from Adelaide Nelson, a former coxswain a grade above me at Harpeth Hall. During spring season freshmen year, I found myself growing increasingly nervous before a race. Adelaide, who I always trusted to offer the right words in moments of doubt, had an uncanny ability to recognize when I was overthinking.

Midwest Scholastic Rowing Championship 2024, Photo Credit: Annie Downey

Among the many pieces of advice she shared, one simple yet profound statement stood out: "Just go and be Margaret." Those words resonated with me deeply. Throughout that race, and in every moment of self-doubt since, I have replayed her voice in my head. Her advice served as a powerful reminder that there is no singular way to be a great coxswain. For me, success as a coxswain does not come from imitating others but from embracing one's own strengths and instincts. On the water, I strive to become the most confident version of myself, knowing that the best approach is to trust in my own skills and knowledge of the sport while leading in a way that is authentic to me.

row2k - What is a mid-race call or move that you've made that you'll remember for the rest of your life?
Margaret Simmons - One of my favorite calls I ever made during a race was, "IF IT HURTS YOU, IT HURTS THEM." I remember reading another coxswain talking about a call along these lines, so it came to mind and fit perfectly into this race.

I screeched it into my microphone, and I can still remember the way my throat strained as the words left my mouth. We were falling behind in a 2k sprint during spring season of my freshman year and I had to bring us all together. As soon as I made the call, I saw an immediate response. The boat surged forward, the catches became sharper, and the puddles deepened. The boat truly worked as a machine, reminding everyone we are in this together. It was as if a switch had flipped. That call took my girls' focus away from their own exhaustion and redirected it toward a competitive mindset. Instead of backing down, they embraced the pain, knowing that pushing through it was what would separate us from the other crews.

Since then, that phrase has become my tagline and something of a rallying call in my boats. It reminds them that suffering is universal in this sport, but (as our coaches frequently say) mental toughness is what makes the difference and sets us apart. When the pain sets in, when the legs start to burn, and when doubt creeps in, that call shifts our mindset away from the struggles. It forces us to acknowledge that we are not the only ones feeling this, so the question is: who wants it more?

row2k - Can you tell us anything about what you've learned about how to make motivating calls?
Margaret Simmons - One of the biggest things I've learned about making motivating calls is that the best ones come from knowing your crew and understanding what drives them.

Secret City Head Race 2024, Photo Credit: Becca Williams

Not every rower responds to the same type of motivation, some push harder when challenged, some need encouragement, and others respond best to a mix of both. Over time, I've learned to read my boat, know the people in it, and adjust my tone, volume, and word choice to get the strongest response. Another key element is timing. A well-timed call can shift the energy of the boat instantly. Whether it's during a power move, a crucial point in the race, or a moment of fatigue, the right call can give the rowers exactly what they need to dig deeper.

Short, direct, and intentional calls are the most effective. Instead of saying, "Push harder" or "Let's go," I focus on calls that create a mindset shift, like, "This is where we set ourselves apart," or, "If it hurts you it hurts them." These calls make the rowers feel in control and reinforce that they have more to give. I've also learned that having a tone of certainty in my voice matters just as much as the words themselves. If I believe in what I'm saying, my crew will too. Even when the race gets tough, I have to sound composed, strong, and confident, because if I doubt us for even a second, they'll feel it.

Motivating calls are not just about energy, but about belief: belief in the training, in the boat, and in the fact that we are always and constantly capable of more.

row2k - Tell us about the best race/practice you've ever had?
Margaret Simmons - I believe it is important to not define a race by whether or not you medal but by what you categorize as succeeding. My best or most memorable race would have to be 2024 SRAAs. It was the semi-finals for the Women's Freshman Eights.

The day before, my crew had rowed the fastest we ever had in time trials, and we were ready to take it all the way. As we rowed up to the start, I gave a quick pep talk, trying to mask my nervousness. I wanted it so badly for these girls, and I knew they wanted it too. Now, it was just a matter of finding the strength to make it happen. Knowing how my girls perform after already rowing a tough race, I anticipated a drop in energy mid-race, so I had prepared for it. When I saw we were in last place, I knew that wasn't where we belonged.

While writing this, I went back to my race recording and listened to what I said: "All you've got, girls, leave it here." I said it in a calm, almost whispered tone to get into their heads, to remind them of the effort they still had in them. Then, I yelled, "Girls, we attack now. It's everything in you. Don't let them pass us. Let's pass them!" From there, I started calling out each girl by name, using the calls I knew would get them motivated and fired up: "We are not losing this battle. We are in this to go all the way. Keep it up--NOW."

Tennessee Georgia State Championship, 2024 Pictured Left to Right: Adelaide Nelson, Margaret Simmons, Photo Credit: Zoe Green

The response was immediate. We passed two of our biggest competitors from the whole season and soared from 6th to 4th, finishing just a few seconds behind third. Initially, this was disappointing, since we were so close to placing. But looking back, I realize it was a race I'm incredibly proud of. I'm proud of how my crew pushed themselves, how they refused to accept defeat, and how they left everything from the season on the water. What stands out most, though, is how, when we crossed the finish line not knowing if we had gotten third or not, the first thing each girl did was congratulate their teammates. High fives, kind words, and "I'm so proud of you" echoed throughout the boat. I'll never forget the moment when my stroke seat, Nicole Bragg, and I reached across to high five each other. Nicole and I have rowed together, as stroke and coxswain, since we were twelve years old, and making it that far in such a big race was a moment we'll never forget. Regardless of the lack of a placing, that race was a success for me as a coxswain and for my girls as a team, boat, and unit. They rallied around each other, and I could not be prouder of every single one of them.

row2k - How about the worst race/practice you've ever had?
Margaret Simmons - I can remember some bad races, and worse practices, but there is one day in particular that comes to mind. The crew was tired from a long school day, it was cold and had just rained, and we were all struggling to stay focused and motivated. Throughout practice, I kept second-guessing myself, constantly wondering if I was making the right calls or saying the wrong things, and genuinely felt I did not know what to say at times. No matter how hard I tried, the boat wasn't responding, and I couldn't find a way to bring the energy we needed to push through. The set was off, the slides were not together, and regardless of what I said, the girls could not get together as a crew. I realized I was too focused on perfection, worrying about the fine details instead of just motivating my crew. I wasn't projecting the confidence and energy they needed.

After the practice, I talked with my coaches, other coxswains, and members of the boat about what went wrong and how I could improve. Looking back, that practice reiterated to me that it's okay to make mistakes because it is simply a part of learning. It reminded me that, as a coxswain, it's not all about making that perfect call at the right time but about staying calm through difficult scenarios and simply being there for my boat. Although it was a tough day, it helped me grow. I learned to trust my instincts more and not overthink my decisions. As a team and boat, each one of us came back stronger from that practice, and the next day, we were ready to improve.

Head of the Hooch, 2024

Thanks for riding along with Margaret...and, remember, this column is open to all "drivers" out there, so if you are an experienced coxswain at any level--from juniors to masters--and would be willing to invite row2k to join you in your ride, just contact us here. We'd love to hear from you about what you see from the Driver's Seat.