On a recent trip to America, I visited several college rowing programmes to help deepen my understanding of what makes each college unique. I received a warm welcome at every boathouse, and it was lovely to watch the athletes in action and speak to their coaches. These conversations got me thinking about what makes a good coach and how best to develop team culture?
So, I’ve decided to write a series of articles to explore these questions further.
What is world class coaching?
One thing that stood out to me on my trip was the collaborative nature of coaching. The top coaches don’t just tell an athlete to make a change and repeat it, nor do they give a tip to the whole crew and hope it’s adopted. They teach the athlete the process of how to make a change thus enabling the athlete to take the lead in their own path of technical adaptation. Ultimately this yields a more efficient rowing pattern and a faster boat.
The best coaches have a vision of the style they want their athletes to row. They articulate this vision in a clear way, so every athlete, no matter what boat they are in, understands the pattern and the style they are aiming for. The top coaches then observe how each athlete is fitting into this style of rowing and spot when an athlete needs to make an adjustment.
“It wasn’t an arbitrary feeling or observation; it was a practical, actionable step to take.”
Sholto Carnegie
These coaches are happy to pause the practice, or take time on the turns, to explain a technical adjustment and why it will help the rower and or the crew. For example, showing the athlete the correct catch or finish position, or allowing them to take a few strokes in pairs to help them note the change in their own rowing. Often they ask the athlete something like, “How are you going to hold this change?” It is a simple question but prompts a better understanding of what’s required.
At Yale, Steve Gladstone used to get us watch the blade to make sure our blades entered the water correctly. He would not expect us to watch the blade in the closing stages of the National Championship final, but the act of watching the blade in practice allowed us to fully understand how to make the change. It wasn’t an arbitrary feeling or observation; it was a practical, actionable step to take.
Coaching takes persistence. A technical change will not happen overnight; the athletes must have the commitment to stay focused day in day out. The coach’s duty is to guide athletes through this process and ensure they know what the aim is, both in feel and appearance.
On my American tour I noticed how dialled-in the coaches were during practice. They were so attentive to the athletes’ development and always looking for improvement opportunities for each athlete, and for the crew to get faster.
Once the change has been made, the coach’s job is to encourage the athlete to maintain this new, adjusted style, and let them know if the athlete has slipped back into their default. I believe excellent coaching is based on collaboration, making an athlete understand the why behind the change but ultimately being there to hold the athlete accountable. Every coach has a slight variation in their style and approach, but at the heart of great coaching is the ability to teach, encourage, and hold to account.
Finding the right coaching and team fit
Team fit matters. If you commit to rowing at college, you’ll spend more time with your teammates and coaches than with anyone else. Making sure to find the right environment is vital, so spend time speaking to coaches as well as current and former athletes before deciding where to apply. A bit of research goes a long way and start building relationships early. Don’t wait for the ‘perfect’ 2k score before reaching out to U.S. college coaches, they want to see the athlete on their development journey so they can understand who they are as a person, not just a 2k score.
To help with this process we have set up the UK Talent ID Camps. On the 14th of December and 25th of January, we are hosting a day where athletes can meet coaches from top U.S. universities, erg in front of them, row in the tank in front of them, and (along with the athletes’ parents) speak to them one on one. This gives athletes an opportunity to develop these relationships, outline their goals, and learn about what the coaches are looking for.
“If you had a career-ending injury tomorrow, where would you still be excited to go?”
Sholto Carnegie
Something I tell my athletes is all top rowers were at your level of development at some stage in their journey. The job of the recruiting coach isn’t to spot the superstars; it’s to identify who has the temperament and mindset to develop and become a critical member of a strong varsity team. So, the more time athletes spend getting to know coaches, the more exposure they get, and vice versa, the more you can speak to coaches, the more you can showcase your ability and determination.
Coaching fit informs team culture. When speaking to coaches, ask them about their team culture and how they develop it. How do they strike the balance between rowing and university life? There is no right answer to these questions, and each athlete will want a slightly different balance. That’s why the recruiting process isn’t just a draft, it’s more like an extended job interview. That’s why, at the Talent ID Camp, we want to give athletes and parents the opportunity to learn more about each team.
Why it’s important to get the right fit
Finding the right academic fit is important too: it’s the reason you’re going to university in the first place. I always encourage athletes to think beyond rowing: if you had a career-ending injury tomorrow, where would you still be excited to go? Consider the major you’d like to study and what the department is like at the universities you’re interested in. If you’re not sure what you want to study yet, that’s completely fine. One of the great things about the U.S. system is that you often don’t have to declare a major until the end of your sophomore year, giving you time to explore different subjects and styles of teaching before committing.
Keep your college list broad in the early stages, your opinions may change, and new opportunities can open up as your rowing develops. We encourage athletes to think about options across both the academic and athletic spectrum. That way, you’re covered if your rowing takes a big step forward or, equally, if academics become your primary focus. The process unfolds alongside your physical and academic development, so keeping doors open is key.
“I noticed how dialled-in the coaches were during practice.”
Sholto Carnegie
Through my time advising students, I’ve observed that location plays a huge part in a college decision. America isn’t just one country, it’s a collection of regions, each with its own culture and feel. Life on the East Coast, the South, or the West Coast can be very different, so take time to think about what environment suits you best. Do you prefer a rural campus or an urban one? A large state university or a smaller liberal arts college with a close-knit community? These differences shape your overall experience as much as anything else.
So what next? Well, as mentioned, I’m looking forward to hosting the first ever Crew Connection Talent ID camp. I will also continue exploring the themes we’ve touched upon in this article. To help me do so I’ll be interviewing some of the top college coaches in an upcoming series for Row360. Together we will delve into their coaching insights, philosophies, and team culture, as well as what has informed their approach to rowing, what makes their program unique, and generally explore the exciting opportunities rowing at a U.S. college offers.
