What does the cox do, and are there rules about their weight?
B · Beginner · Boats, crews and the course · 5 of 5The coxswain is a member of the crew who steers and does not row. A coxswain in racing uniform must weigh at least 55.0 kg. A lighter one carries deadweight in the boat to make up the difference, to a limit of 15.0 kg. A men's crew may be coxed by a woman and a women's crew by a man.
How it works
- Part of the crew: any reference to rowers in the rules includes coxswains unless it says otherwise.
- The minimum: 55.0 kg wearing the racing uniform.
- Deadweight: to make up the weight a coxswain may carry a maximum of 15.0 kg, placed in the boat as close as possible to their person. No article of racing equipment counts as deadweight.
- Weighing: in racing uniform only, on tested scales, not less than one hour and not more than two hours before their first race in each event on each day of competition.
- Deadweight inspection: the control commission may check the deadweight at any time before the race or until immediately after the crew gets out. The starter and the umpire may check that it is in the boat.
- Sex: open, except at multi-sport Games and their qualification regattas, which follow the rules of the body in charge.
- Age: age categories apply to coxswains, except in Masters events.
- Lightweight races: the same provisions apply.
What a coxswain does in the boat, steering and calling the race, is common knowledge. The rules deal with weight and eligibility.
Tricky cases
A coxswain weighs 38 kg. Can they race?
No. The most deadweight allowed is 15.0 kg, which brings a 38 kg coxswain to 53 kg, short of the 55.0 kg minimum. The lightest coxswain who can make the weight is 40.0 kg.
Can the deadweight be the cox's amplifier or a water bottle?
No. Racing equipment is not deadweight, and the weight must be placed as close as possible to the coxswain.
A coxed boat crosses the line without its coxswain. Does the result count?
No. A crew of a coxed boat that finishes without its coxswain is excluded.
Can the coxswain be swapped between rounds?
Yes. A crew change may replace the coxswain as well as up to half of the rowers.
Why the rule exists
A coxswain is weight the rowers must carry and adds no power, so without a floor crews would look for the lightest person they could find. The minimum removes that advantage and the pressure on coxswains to lose weight.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Rowing rules | As above | RR 22 and bye-law |
| Multi-sport Games | The sex of the coxswain follows the rules of the Games | RR 22 (2) |
| Masters | Age categories do not apply to the coxswain | RR 22 (2) |
From the rule book
World Rowing Rules of Racing and Related Bye-Laws (Overall and Classic Rowing), Rules 22, 49, 74 and 82 and the bye-laws to Rule 22. Last updated 1 July 2025. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Rowing Rules of Racing (PDF).