*This is part of a short story athlete feature series written for Instagram*

Despite being the smallest member of the University of Victoria men's rowing team, he stands as an undeniable leader, confidently guiding a group of men who tower above and outweigh him by nearly 80 lbs.

Much like a maestro guiding musicians through a symphony, Nicholas Murray-Coplen orchestrates the rhythm and harmony of the hull as it glides through the water.

Murray-Coplen is the coxswain, a role that does not physically contribute to the competition but holds an equally important and arguably more crucial seat. A great one is invaluable, and Murray-Coplen is a great one.

Like a coach who sits in the boat, steering, executing race strategy, and keeping the crew synchronized and motivated, the cox (as it's colloquially referred) sits in the stern, the only person facing forward, appearing to be along for the ride, but instead leading the charge.

The fifth-year Vike from St. Catharines, ON, first discovered rowing on a trip to Boston, MA, to watch the Head of the Charles Regatta, the largest three-day regatta in the world with 11,000 athletes. At the time, it seemed like a sport for giants, but a decade later he's since raced the Head of the Charles three times.

An undersized athlete growing up, Murray-Coplen was approached about becoming a cox in Grade 9, something he had never considered but jumped at the opportunity.

"Growing up, I was always the smallest kid, but I was loud. I think I overcompensated with my voice, so it was kind of a perfect fit for me. What drew me into the sport was really the team aspect and the camaraderie. My teammates from high school are still my core group of friends to this day; they just no longer appreciate me telling them what to do," said Murray-Coplen. 
 
To the outside world, the role of the cox is underappreciated. However, those on the inside understand the immense pressure that comes with the role.

The men are required to weigh a minimum of 120 lbs and sit as close to that weight as possible to not add dead weight to the boat. If a cox is underweight, they must make up the weight by carrying a sandbag as close to their body as possible.

Aside from making weight, much of the race day pressure falls to the cox. When things go awry, the cox must remain calm and make decisions that align with what the coach would want. They must know their athletes inside and out and know how to adjust on the fly amid complete chaos.

A professional voice user, Murray-Coplen meticulously hones his craft. He's spent years studying and listening to Harry Brightmore, a professional coxie from Great Britain. As a result, Murray-Coplen admits he has a slight British accent when he calls a race.

With a headset and mic, he commands the boat, monitoring stroke rates through a small computer at his feet and steers the 60-foot shell by grasping and moving a string attached to the boat's rudder.

"Because you can't physically show the athletes what to do, it's all about using your voice. Tone is huge, and having complete control of your tone, and knowing when and how to use it is key," he said.

When it comes to managing pressure, Murray-Coplen says it's all about preparation and confidence, likening his role to that of a quarterback in football.

"You have to be confident telling people what to do and the decisions you're making. We prepare for all scenarios in practice, and when it comes to race day, you put the blinders on and only focus on exactly what needs to happen."

Murray-Coplen is one race away from finishing his UVic rowing career, but like many of the talented Vikes coxies who have come before him, he hopes to continue in the sport by earning a spot on Canada's FISU World University Rowing Championship team.

Murray-Coplen and the men's and women's rowing teams host the University of British Columbia on the Gorge Waterway for the 31st annual Brown Cup presented by Point Hope Maritime, Saturday, April 6.

REGATTA INFORMATION
Vikes vs. Thunderbirds at Brown Cup
Saturday, April 6 | Gorge Waterway
Tale of the Tape: 8:30 a.m.
Reserve Races: 12:05 p.m. (M) & 12:25 p.m. (W) | Varsity Races: 1:05 p.m. (M) & 1:25 p.m. (W)
Watch: CHEK Media YouTube
For more information, visit browncup.ca

Check out this mic'ed up video made by the men's rowing team to get the behind the scenes scoop. 
 

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