by Dani Klein

When I first walked onto my college’s NCAA Women’s Rowing team my freshman year, little did I know that it would not only be one of the best decisions I made during my college career, but also in my 24 years of life. I quickly learned that whether we were in boats on the water, or on machines inside, that rowing truly is the ultimate team sport where connection with teammates is of the utmost importance. However; rowing is much more than just a sport or physical activity. It is a vessel in which people learn and gain teamwork, respect, confidence, and make lasting bonds, all of which, everyone, regardless of age or ability should have the opportunity to experience and take part in.

When I found out that I would have the opportunity to volunteer at the teen para rowing programs at Community Rowing Inc., I was filled with excitement, and unexpectedly, nerves too! Prior to my time at CRI, my only “coaching” experience for rowing was as an upper classman helping freshman “walk ons” in college. Nobody on my collegiate rowing team had any physical or visual impairments, allowing me to use simple coaching techniques such as sitting on an erg next to someone and saying, “hey follow me, do what I do”. I knew that I was going to have to get more creative while working with teenagers who had physical and visual impairments. I have begun to focus more on tactile and sensory input in addition to teaching the athletes to use their proprioceptive skills to understand how and where their body is moving during each rowing stroke.  

In my short time attending the teen para rowing practices, I have seen great improvements in each of the athletes I have worked with. After some troubleshooting, we were able to figure out the best coaching style for each athlete and how I could best support them on their road to success. Seeing the carryover of newly learned technique from week to week is the coolest thing, as it means that as a coach, I have worked with the athlete and developed a strategy that is most beneficial to their success, which, at the end of the day is what matters.

Because I began volunteering during the winter months, I have only had the opportunity to attend indoor practices, where we have been utilizing the rowing machines, but I am very excited to head back on the water in boats in just a few short months to continue to provide an environment and coaching approach that allows each athlete to grow, succeed, and learn all that the sport of rowing has to offer.