Coxswains and weighing
World Rowing · 2025A coxswain is part of the crew and must weigh at least 55.0 kg in racing uniform. Up to 15.0 kg of deadweight may make up the minimum, placed as close as possible to the coxswain. Ordinary racing equipment cannot be counted as that deadweight. The requirement also applies to lightweight races.
The rule
A coxswain is part of the crew and must weigh at least 55.0 kg in racing uniform. Up to 15.0 kg of deadweight may make up the minimum, placed as close as possible to the coxswain. Ordinary racing equipment cannot be counted as that deadweight. The requirement also applies to lightweight races.
In practice
Coxswains weigh in during the prescribed period before their first race in each event each day. Officials may check the ballast before racing and after disembarkation. The coxswain’s sex is generally open under these rules, but multisport Games and their qualifiers may apply different authority-specific conditions. Age rules also apply except in masters events.
Sources & approach ↗