Through our analysis of the various texts associated with Purdue University's crew team along with observations and interviews with several members of the team, it became clear to us how important communication was to the success of the group. As we would expect, everyone on the team shared the common goal of winning regattas. However, it was evident that members joined and stayed with the team for a variety of reasons, which indicated a set of common personal goals as well. Each member we spoke to seemed to have a desire to achieve at a high level and better themselves physically and emotionally. Without communication, these goals would not be met by the individuals or the group as a whole.
The critical aspects of communication manifested themselves in a variety of different ways and through a variety of different sources. At first glance, a practice seems to be nothing more than a bunch of guys subjecting themselves to hours of continuous rowing. However, the team follows a vary specific set of workouts designed to help them meet their common goals of becoming better rowers. The coxswains lead the workouts by announcing what exercises are to be done and in what way. In this sense, the workout schedule itself becomes a genre for discourse during a practice. Moreover, the coaches will give some of the rowers individualized advice and tips to help them improve their technique.
The coxswains are also reponsible for commanding and steering each boat. Critical instruction are passed verbally from the coxswains to the rowers who must understand them and act accordingly. It was found that a very specific lexis was used during this communication. This distinct terminology was used by the coxswains and the rowers to communicate within the boat and execute various maneuvers. It is also critical for the rowers to row at the same tempo in order to properly propel the boat through the water. This was emphasized time and again by the coxswains and the coaches at practice. To keep a consistent temp, nonverbal communication between the rowers is critical. Each rower must be able to sense and match the pace of the others in order to operate effectively as a team.
Not only does the sport of crew meet John Swales's definition for a discourse community, the members of crew also demonstrate an array of multiple literacies. The rowers must be able to perceive, analyze, and act on a variety of verbal, textual, and physical stimuli ranging from different workouts to follow to conditions on the water. Rowers must interpret instructions form the coxswains while also sensing and matching the pace of others.
