Looking for an erg coach in the off season

[Anonymous]

Hi, My kid is doing another sport this season, but needs to maintain and improve erg times. Some coaching on form and breathing would be helpful. Does anyone know how to find a skilled erg coach available on weekends? TIA!

[Anonymous]

I’m a rower and I’ve actually never heard of an erg coach! Encouragement and coaching are great though. There are a couple of erg forums, including a Concept II one. You can sign up for challenges and they have videos.

Form on the erg is different than on the water and more straight forward. Unless your rower is really new and doesn’t have the basics of the stroke yet (which would be fine! Being new is great) they aren’t likely to get much more speed there.

Erg time is often mental. You need to learn to pace yourself, and then to push beyond what you thought was possible and hang on through pain. It’s just really sucky, and you have to learn to embrace the suck. That mental coaching would be the best investment, I’d think.

Your rower’s coach would the best place to ask for a referral. You could also email the local boat clubs.