Olympic Rowing Men’s Eight Cox Recording

[@Windfix]

As an ex World Championship level cox, this is really impressive. One of the hardest things to do as a cox in a race setting is to stay calm and measured, not get hyped up in the moment and ensure what is being said is adding real value by making the boat go fast. Us coxswains all have our own individual styles, some are far more aggressive and loud, this is brilliant example of control. I love how you allow the crew to settle into their rhythm and are more aggressive and urgent when it was needed in the second thousand. A lot of planning would have gone into this. Congratulations to you and your crew on Gold. Thanks for sharing the recording.

[@turbokeene]

The layman doesn’t understand what the cox does. This is the perfect example of how integral to the crew a cox becomes. Every movement, aspect and position analysed and adjusted in a split second. Constant feedback and motivation. Perfection. To those who question why the cox also receives a medal; this audio is your answer.

[@wochee]

A great lesson for young coxes. Harry is coxing an Olympic eight, but is still making fine technical corrections to his crew as he goes through the race. Note also there are no endless ten stroke pushes, but considered five stroke efforts on individual points of the stroke. He also doesn't come out of the blocks like a screaming banshee, but increases the intensity of the coxing as he goes through the race. Great coxing!

[@camkielty97]

Amazing calmness and confidence in the first half and then fantastic build into an aggressive finish. Well done Harry and the guys

[@sorcus2144]

The 1:11 call at 45 spm is insane, bloody good job lads

[@harrybrightmore1164]

The crazier thing is, we weren't even winning! International men's eights racing is mental...!

[@simonfoster7288]

What stood out for me was "Trust the rhythm". Quite a striking instruction. I presume this means don't try, in the heat of the race, to wellie it individually but feel the boat and channel your work into building rhythm - and the rest will follow. Super length, boat run and power, right to the final stroke.

[@harrybrightmore1164]

You are spot on. Quite often we'd try harder, and go exactly the same speed. i.e. less efficient, more costly, speed will drop eventually. I knew what it felt like when we were on efficient speed, so I would make this call when we were absolutely on it...and it always resulted in having an extra "gear" later on. In reality, we just lasted longer.

[@simonfoster7288]

@@harrybrightmore1164 I can certainly understand that. I've (half a century ago now) been in boats in which you hit a sort of "resonance", when the leg drives come on at the catch, and the bodies rock over in the recovery, absolutely as one. The boat quite suddenly feels lighter and you find yourself working hard to maintain that precious feeling - which is all about rhythm and sensing the boat. Being able to feel it in the cox's seat, though, must be quite a special skill.

[@CF-ib7be]

I love your yelp of joy as you cross the line. Tremendous result and the crew has been justly rewarded for the brilliant rows we have been treated to on this Olympic cycle. Credit too to Steve Trapmore. I'm sure he was pivotal in getting you to that superb rhythm. All the best with coaching Oxford Harry.

[@harrybrightmore1164]

the recording was taken off my CoxOrb, which records audio until I hit "stop" on the stopwatch...hence the horrific cliff dropper of a cheer at the end!

[@paulsansome1628]

As an ex-oarsman, it is always interesting to see how different coxes work with different crews. You were surprisingly quiet in the start, where a lot of coxes shout frantically. You allowed the rhythm to settle and then guided them on, only raising to a crescendo as they spiralled down into the pain cave and you needed to access their diminishing bandwidth.

[@adrianellison7775]

Thanks for sharing this Harry. Very informative & interesting (as you wanted). I think different coxes have very different/individual ways of coxing, and obviously the most successful are totally in tune & in synch with what their crew want & need. The thousands of miles of training before this race allow you & your crew to fine-tune your input, so your role in the Olympic final is giving the rowers exactly what they want from you, and absolutely nothing that they don't want.

[@harrybrightmore1164]

Thanks Adrian. it’s often a misunderstood job as I’m sure you can appreciate!

[@geoffreybarrow8935]

It's been a long time since I raced in an eight (it was at your old school, Harry, and so long ago that in my day we wrote "VIII", not "8+"), but this soundtrack brought it all back. I was impressed (surprised, actually) by your calmness from the start, but it was clear that nothing here was left to chance. Every phrase - every word - was carefully and minutely planned. And then the building tension and emotion as the race progressed made shivers go up and down my spine. Unforgettable!

[@harrybrightmore1164]

I'm honoured to have a KSRC alum reach out! I'm glad you enjoyed listening to the recording!

[@geoffreybarrow8935]

@@harrybrightmore1164 The honour's mine, Sir!

[@bernhardkloter8473]

The longer they are in the race, the more fu..s he is giving ❤. I need to go out now and row some harder pieces. Inspiring!

[@CoxPod]

Congratulations on your Olympic achievement! We appreciate you sharing this with the community so that we can all continue to learn as coxswains.

[@fartchicken579]

the progression of your calls through the whole race is crazy to hear… literally shivers down my spine near the end

[@AmeliaGB-fi6hq]

Oh my god I am in tears, this is so inspiring, divine masculine in action, you are all modern gladiators. Harry thank you so much for sharing absolutely fascinating. The connection and camaraderie is powerful. Proud sister of RG xx

[@Houseizrockin]

I'm just in awe. I watched the race on my other monitor and played this. Supreme effort - motivation, coaching, leadership and just sheeer will and determination. Thanks for posting and hearty congrats!

[@johncarver3106]

Rule Britannia! That was amazing, thanks so much for sharing 🙏💪

[@rowyeah456]

So professional, makes me want to be a part of the crew, the excellence in a sport is very drawing, thank you for posting Harry

[@lucywheeler2410]

This is amazing. So calm and concise but also to the point. Makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I miss coxing!

[@belbrighton6479]

Amazing, it was thrilling to watch. The team all working together. Brilliant stuff. 🎉🎉

[@marino27m]

Congratulations. Impressive performance.

[@hesi_]

Placing this recording over a replay of the race would be an excellent training tool for rowers & coxswains alike. To see the class bladework and style of racing of Olympic rowing.

[@harrybrightmore1164]

@@hesi_ didn’t want it taken down from the video! I know it’s a pain..!

[@rborkows]

Listened to this way too many times - going to play this (at 0.75x) next time I need to PR!

[@Alex1234-f9z]

This is much better than anything our cox says to us

[@geifler]

Goosebumps 😊

[@josephharrington7129]

As others have said, interesting to note that there are no moves or pushes. From watching the race you can see GB were at a high racing speed and held it for the whole 2k. Hence they were totally ruined by the end but had an impenetrable power and rhythm. Fantastic result. Can I ask, what was the most satisfying part of the race for you?

[@harrybrightmore1164]

Our 3rd 500 is always pretty good, and the feeling of moving away around 1250 felt epic. We hold speed so well, and I could feel at around 1km that we had gears to keep going.

[@matthewhackett1710]

@@harrybrightmore1164 Perfect execution of a race Harry. Over the years, you have made your seat of the cox one of the most important seats in your crews on your way through to this Gold Medal performance, being one person to make the whole crew hit their full potential. By definition of that gold medal, "Best cox in the World". Well earned.

[@josephharrington7129]

@@harrybrightmore1164 thank you for your reply. You guys were relentless in that section of the race. Made it impossible for anyone to gain on you. Once again, brilliant. Enjoy your incredible success.

[@jacktottem1491]

Tone wow

[@EduStarling]

Incredible!

[@45JCN]

Most important man/woman in the boat!

[@grudman7885]

Thank you so much for posting! I never thought this would get released! It's interesting to hear how much less involved you are race-plan and tech-wise than the 2017 Ladies Plate recording. Here there are no specific pushes apart from the tiers - is that the GB style or crew-specific? Again, thank you for posting

[@harrybrightmore1164]

Goal was to be simple and clear. Not a million focusses a minute. Still tech in there, and we have practised our plan for years. Fastest pace is flat, no pushes. Personally always hated my recording from Ladies Plate, felt like my coxing was far better under GB.

[@richardbrown917]

You didn't have to censor the profanities.. Unless youtube say you did, I suppose. But it is *awesome* to hear this, nonetheless. Thank-you!

[@harrybrightmore1164]

Felt it was more appropriate, and still gets the message across!

[@mxm5783]

1:11!!! You guys are beasts.

[@nicholascostalas]

Amazing. Thank you for sharing this. You ought not to have censored it at all, it takes away from it. The vulgarity is part of it. You're not painting clay pots in kindergarten. Still. Congratulations on Immortality!

[@MrFiliChris]

@harrybrightmore have you ever thought of releasing a group of recordings like this that people can row and lift to in the gym as motivation?! I’d probably end up killing someone, but deffo I’d hit a PB on the erg and in every lift 👏🏼 Immense