Articles
Why Discipline Beats Motivation in Sport Every Time
Motivation fades, but discipline always shows up.
Articles
The Explore vs Exploit Dilemma in Rowing
I’ve always been an athlete that likes risk. Why? Because it’s fun — simple. Sport, in my view, should have an element of risk in it. I remember a quote from Greg Welch, Ironman World Champion in 1994: “If you want to win, you’ve got to be willing to take Read more
Casual Convo's
100 Days Straight – Discipline Over Motivation with Mario Laing
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
Articles
UT1, UT2, and Heart Rate Zones: Rowers Doing Their Own Thing
We all know the idea of training zones — many athletes follow heart rate zones religiously, keeping track of Zone 1 through Zone 5 (or more, depending on what methodology you follow) to ensure they’re working at the right intensity. Yet in rowing, you’ll often hear the terms UT1 and Read more
Head of the Yarra Series
Head of the Yarra: Inside the Coxswain’s Mind! – Ep 3
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
Head of the Yarra Series
Head of the Yarra: Inside the Coxswain’s Mind! – Ep 1
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
Articles
W/kg – It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog!
For as long as rowing machines have been part of the sport, split times have been the currency of comparison. Whether it’s the average pace per 500 metres over a 1km trial or the dreaded 2k test, split times are familiar, easy to understand, and have long been the standard Read more
Articles
Row or Train? – The Hard Truth About Winning
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
Articles
Stroke Rate, Stroke Length and Ratios – The Racing Dilemma!
The Rate Conversation We Can’t Avoid Before diving into this discussion, let me clarify my stance. I typically avoid discussing stroke rates—in well-trained crews, the optimal race rate should emerge organically. Yet the conversation persists because higher rates intimidate athletes. The physical demand increases exponentially as the rate climbs. We Read more
Calculators
Rowing Erg Adjustment Calculator
Leveling the Playing Field for All Athletes After years of coaching, I’ve seen countless athletes struggle with their erg scores, feeling they don’t measure up to their potential. This is especially true for smaller rowers who find themselves comparing their results to the 120kg powerhouses sitting in the middle of Read more