Interview: Bebe Bryans

This month’s guest coach is Bebe Bryans. Bebe is the
head coach at Michigan State University. (Now with University of Wisconsin)

Bebe has coached at several other universities over
the years, and has put in her time coaching with the
national team. For the past six years she has been
with the Spartans, and they’ve been doing great. I’ve
known her for quite a while and she is as sharp with a
wrench as she is with a megaphone.

I caught her during a moment of sanity, and got her to
answer a few questions about rigging and rowing. Here
are her responses:

MaxRigging (MR): In terms of maximum boat speed, how
important do you think rigging is?

Bebe Bryans (BB): Its important in that the right
rigging for the strength of the rowers will allow them
to use their maximum strength.  Less important than
the training and technique that goes into getting them
to make the boat go fast.

MR: How much time do you devote to rigging per week
during the season?

BB:  Maybe an hour doing preventative
maintenance…rowers check rightness and tightness of
their area daily.  That doesn’t include race weekends
when I need something to do so I check everything at
least 5 times…

MR: What is your favorite part of rigging?

BB: Setting up a brand new boat from scratch – closest
thing I get to sculpture!

MR: What is your least favorite part of rigging?

BB: Moving the tracks on boats that weren’t designed
for real people’s arms to fit in those holes…working
on anything on an  improperly cleaned boat that is
used on salt water.

MR: Do you have one rigging tip that you would like to
share with the readers?

BB: Keep it simple and do it really, really well.  And
think twice (at least) before changing anything on
race day (ok, that’s two things . . . )