I personally think that slalom steering is a skill which should not be neglected in the training of coxes. We provide it to senior coxes in May term during men's hour by having some extremely slow viii's (Caius II in 1998 come to mind, or Downing II last term) sitting at the end of the grind course in the way of much faster ones doing record times. But we provide it much more safely and at lower speeds during Michaelmas term with the `early morning'. I hope I do not go to far when I say that no cox should be permitted to steer in the bumps if they have not had the pleasure of steering successfully through the novice carnage created by those going before them as in a lower-division bumps race.
Perhaps everyone is just annoyed because they are not clear on the rules of the training course. Here are some notes for the less experienced.
A- The corner under Chesterton footbridge is absolutely key. Watch for those moments when all the novice and senior crews pull over to one side in an attempt to reduce carnage and sort things out. That is the time to make your move. Wind up to 3/4 pressure (suitably low rating to avoid alarming fearful women), and rocket down the wrong side of the river. Make sure not to corner when you get to the bridge so you end up parked properly in the queue, having jumped by 10-15 crews.
B- The thin bit after the gasworks. This bit is rather difficult to do well. You need to pick your moment. If a novice crew is in the really thin bit it is really not ideal. Wait for one novice crew to be entering it and another to be leaving, or better yet a senior crew you can cut up.. I always look for black blades, that way you get either hall or caius, either of which are fine. If you have to stop your blades can go in the space between the novices rather than into the novices themselves. This time use 1/2 pressure.
C- Straight bit back toward Kings bh. This can be done 3/4 pressure, but beware of crews coming the other way. make full utilisation of both sides of the river; novice coxes often steer far to the left to avoid the brush.
D- Wide bit by Kings. This is a great area. If there are not enough novice crews there making carnage wait for them to turn up so you can do it properly. Get a run-up to it by rowing through the anglers on the far bank, and make sure you cut up the churchill people that are perpetually deboating despite their having more hard available than any other club. Also use the other side of the river to advantage here since you can see what is going on.
E- Road bridge. Ideal spot for overtaking crews. At Trinity, if a cox fails to overtake at least one crew here every early morning outing, we immediately demote him (her) to our 10th boat or lower in the Mays so they can get more practice in May term.
F- Downing bh. Often there are crews coming downriver by this point (8.40-8.45), make sure to hit them. Hard. They should know better really. Give scullers a break though. The slalom down the wide and slightly curved section to your boathouse should be done as hard as possible without it looking hard. This allows you to pass and impress the women's novice crews better and makes everyone happier with you when you get the boat off the water.. they feel faster.
I would like to start some competition in this event, it's really good because boat class doesn't really matter. My best time from the P&E to 1&3 Trinity B.H. on a congested early morning in is 14:31.06. Beat that.