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When did you start coaching, and why?
I coached in bits and pieces in high school at Leander Boat Club, however I didn’t seriously get into coaching until 2019 when I began helping out at my old high school. I’d always wanted to get into coaching, but when I heard that my high school team was in need of additional coaches in order to keep running, I gladly took the opportunity. Honestly, the first couple years I was alright at coaching. I’d help when asked, drive the coach boat, attend sessions, but I was too nervous to really take initiative. When I was asked to run the uOttawa novice women’s program in 2022, I think that’s when I finally got the hang of things. Sometimes you are only able to unlock your full potential until you are put in a position of responsibility where you need to get things done.
What is your favourite drill for athletes?
My favourite drill is definitely standing off the footplate. You have two athletes in a stopped eight go all the way to their catch, bury their blades, then try to lift themselves right off the seat by engaging the legs. It helps to teach athletes how to hang off the handle, and it also usually gets quite a few laugh with everyone falling onto their seats.
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