Next up In The Driver's Seat--where we hear from the folks who add that extra something to the teamwork of a crew—-is coxswain Mari Teh.

Mari coxes for TBC Racing in Washington DC, but got her start out on the west coast with Nor Cal and Los Gatos before moving east. She's raced at Youth Nationals with all three clubs, making two A Finals, and got to race her first Head Of The Charles this past fall.

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

row2k - What do you see as the three most important things for being a successful coxswain?
Mari Teh - The three most important things to know to be a successful coxswain are:

Know the stroke. Since you can’t actually see the rowers’ bodies while they row, being able to visualize the stroke and spot when something’s off is key. It helps you give clear, useful corrections to keep the boat moving clean and efficiently.

Know how to braid hair. On race days, it’s a must. Before you know it, there’ll be a line of seven girls with long, luscious hair asking, "Hey Mari, can you braid mine?"--usually 20 minutes before launch time.

Always have a tool bag. Mine is stocked with wrenches, spare parts, Spongebob Squarepants Band-Aids, tape, and fruit roll-ups. It’s not just about being prepared: snacks and a little fun help keep the vibes calm and positive on race day.

Getting set for the semis in Sarasota

row2k - What is your favorite drill to run with your crews? Any tips on how to do the drill well, for maximum effectiveness?
Mari Teh - My favorite drill to run with my boat is the catch drill. My coach runs it by having us pause at half slide, take the catch, return to half slide, then take the top 6 inches, return to half slide, and finally take the full legs.

It’s an amazing drill for building front-end connection because it really isolates each part of the leg drive. As a coxswain, I don’t call anything during this drill; my coach handles the “half slide — go” commands. For me, it’s a great time to focus on the rowers’ blade work and watch for handle heights, blade depth, catch timing, and how direct their catches are. We usually run it by 4’s to help maintain the set.

Racing with TBC at Youth Nationals in 2023

row2k - What's some of the best coaching advice you've received about your coxing?
Mari Teh - One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever gotten came from my old coach at LGRC. He told me to "shut up." I know that sounds harsh, but in context, it made perfect sense.

It’s not essential for a coxswain to be talking the entire time, especially during steady state. In fact, sometimes silence is even more valuable—-it gives you space to focus on boat feel, watch the oars, and take the time to process what’s happening so you can plan the next call. Rowers actually appreciate these quiet moments, and it gives the coxswain more time to make thoughtful, effective calls that truly help the boat improve.

With her Los Gatos crew at Youth Nationals in 2023

row2k - What is a mid-race call or move that you've made that you'll remember for the rest of your life?
Mari Teh - One middle move that really stuck with me was taught by my U15 coach, Maegan Neihart. The day before our race, she sat us down and showed us a video of the German pair at the Olympics making their 1000-meter move. This became a key part of our race plan, along with another move right before the 1000.

I still remember calling this move during the race, going down the boat and calling out each person in my quad for a power 10. We gained two seats on the quad ahead of us, and that momentum helped carry us through the sprint to a 5th place finish. Ever since then, this move has been part of every race plan I make--especially for the races that matter most.

In her U15 crew for Nor Cal at Youth Nationals in 2022

row2k - Can you tell us anything about what you've learned about how to call a good start?
Mari Teh - I’ve raced many times and listened to a lot of sprint race recordings, so I’ve learned there are many ways to call an effective start.

My rowers don’t like it when coxswains call out the classic stroke-by-stroke start: "half, three-quarter, half, three-quarter, lengthen, full." Instead, I use shorter, punchier words like "pry," "yup," or "legs." These calls are quick but aggressive, matching the tone and pace we want for the starting sequence: sharp and powerful.

After the start, I call the high 20 with clear rhythm in my voice and give the boat real-time feedback on our position against other crews. But to me, the most important part of calling a start is staying calm. The rowers are already full of adrenaline and nerves--it’s the coxswain’s job to steady the boat, remind them “We’ve got this,” and help them settle into a strong, long base rhythm.

Before the start at Youth Nationals in 2023

row2k - Tell us about the best race/practice you've ever had?
Mari Teh - The best race I’ve ever coxed was HOCR 2024. I spent weeks memorizing the fastest lines and learning everything I could about the course to shave off every possible meter. When race day came, we got out there and executed exactly what we’d planned, jumping from starting 27th to finishing 14th.

The turn tight against the dock coming out of Eliot was my biggest wow moment. My coach got a video of us passing by, and I was honestly impressed by how close we were to the dock without touching it. It was my first time at HOCR, and I was proud of both my Strava lines and how I coxed that race. Overall: 10/10, would love to go back next year.

Mari's crew racing past Riverside at the Charles in 2024

Thanks for riding along with Mari...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.