“Why don’t we go to Schools Head?”

“We can’t afford it - and races like that aren’t for clubs like us.”

Anyone who has rowed in a smaller or more remote club has no doubt had conversations like this. At every stage of competition, the clubs who spend big, win big. That leaves the rest of the field at a disadvantage, and that is only getting wider as the costs of equipment, personnel, logistics and events increase. Many clubs cannot muster the people or resources to attend races like HoRR and WeHoRR - many more struggle to close the gap to top crews.

When I learned to cox at my school club (QEHS RC in Hexham, Northumberland), we had the same conversations about Nat. Schools and the Schools Head. I was told these events were out of our reach. Coxes weren’t “athletes”; they were an afterthought at best. For 5 years, I have worked to change the ethos at one club. Now, it’s time to change the game.

In my rowing career, I have worked with athletes of all ages, genders and abilities. I am a 2-time GB triallist (ranked the best U19 cox outside of the Thames), I’ve raced 4 Tideway Heads, Henley Masters Regatta and coxed the Scotland Junior Men’s 8+ at Home International Regatta in 2026. As Club Captain, I helped other coxes to trial and pushed for a coxing captaincy - through coxing, I helped 42 rowers reach JIRR and helped to create a more open culture around cox weight. I have worked with athletes and coaches from Bristol, Edinburgh, UL, Brookes and more; I took part in the 2026 WOX Coxswain Development Programme. I’m ready to help you and your coxes make the next step - together, let’s elevate coxing.

Adam Ryrie, founder of Elevate Coxing