I’ve been coxing competitive rowing crews for a long time. And in that time I have sat in fast boats and slow ones, cohesive ones and fractious ones, crews that seemed to have everything on paper and went nowhere, and crews that had no right to be as quick as Read more
In this casual convo, I sit down with Mario Laing from Lake Eildon Rowing Club to have a chat about his commitment to 100 consecutive days of rowing training. We talk through why he started, what he’s learned along the way, and how the reality didn’t always match the expectations—especially Read more
In this episode, I’m joined again by Alan Crute from Rowing Regatta Form Guides and Chat, along with expert rowing parent Kat Dunel, to preview the upcoming 2026 Victorian Head of the Schoolgirls’ Regatta taking place this weekend. Around 2100 athletes will take to the Barwon River in Geelong for Read more
Episode 5: Beyond the Finish — Celebrating, Learning & Recovering Crossing the finish line isn’t the end of the Head of the Yarra — it’s the start of reflection, recovery, and celebration. In this final episode of Inside the Coxswain’s Mind, we look at what happens after the race and Read more
Episode 4: Regatta Day — Strategy, Timing, and Crew Mindset Race day — the moment everything comes together. In this episode, we talk about how to manage the pressure, logistics, and mindset of Head of the Yarra day so your crew can perform at their best. We cover: This episode Read more
Episode 3: Fueling for Endurance — Diet & Hydration Before HotY The Head of the Yarra is a long, demanding race — and how you fuel your body can make all the difference. In this episode, Jen, from Toowong Rowing Club , and I explore what to eat and drink Read more
Episode 2: Reading the River — The Course, Conditions & Steering The Head of the Yarra course is unlike any other in Australia — 8 kilometres of winding bends, bridges, and heavy river traffic. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the course itself and what it takes Read more
Episode 1: Training for the Challenge — Building Your Crew for HotY The Head of the Yarra isn’t just another regatta — it’s 8 kilometres of rhythm, teamwork, and endurance. In this episode, we break down how to prepare your crew for the challenge of Australia’s biggest head race. Join Read more
It’s a bit of a “how long is a piece of string?” question. Every crew and every athlete responds differently to how they’re coxed (just as they do to coaching). But with so many of us glued to YouTube right now — or lucky enough to be over in London Read more
Let me start by saying this clearly: this article, like many I write, will probably stir some emotions. It might surprise, challenge, or even lightly upset some readers, but it’s an important conversation we need to have. And before we go any further, let me be absolutely clear: there is Read more