In a rowing crew, the coxswain is the member who does not row but steers the boat and faces forward, towards the bow.
The coxswain is responsible for steering the boat and coordinating the power and rhythm of the rowers.
In most racing, coxswains may be of either sex regardless of that of the rowers, and in fact are very often women, as the desired weight of a cox is generally as close to 125 lbs / 55 kg as possible.
Most coxswains get lifted in and out of the boat.