I have been coaching a young athlete who has ambitions to row at the Olympics – one of the things we discussed what how to find the right rowing club for her to join.

Setbacks and red herrings

I was very frustrated by being asked for advice (which club to join) only to find that many people were being asked the same question.

What puzzled me most was her desire to try to join a rowing club NOW, without waiting for a conversation with the club coach, athletes or even a basic appraisal of the number of wins the club had delivered in recent seasons.

Now, I don’t mind athletes canvassing views, but I was taught that your coach was the person whose advice you took.

There are lots of famous rowing clubs who go through down-periods and one of the ones being considered was in this situation. I didn’t want to say flat “no” don’t join them, because I respect the views of the athlete and they need to buy into any decision.

What would you have done? Is this a problem of youth or did I frame my questions in the wrong way?

What do you want to get out of your rowing?

If you have bothered to think about this it will help you work out which clubs may be right for you.

Eight steps to decision making gives a helpful framework. The text is a few years old but still valid. The main things it misses are:

• Research information – but you must also review what’s good or not so good e.g. regatta results, track record getting athletes into top crews
• Work  out how soon you can work out if you’ve made the right decision.  Should you allow a full season? a year? two regattas? Club-hopping is not regarded favourably by most – but getting extra help by going on training camp, training on a Rowperfect, seeking remote coaching guidance or email advice is acceptable.
• Which advice is worth more than others?  Your best friend will probably tell you what you want to hear; your coach will probably tell you what you NEED to hear.  Who should you listen to?