In Part One, we explored the unique pathways that led Kieran Clark, Lauren Fisher, and Rich Chambers into the world of high-performance rowing coaching, each shaped by their athletic careers and personal experiences. These journeys—marked by pivotal moments, setbacks, and triumphs—highlighted the diversity of routes to becoming a top-level coach. Now, in Part Two, we dive deeper into their coaching philosophies, uncovering the values and strategies that guide their work with athletes at the highest level of the sport.
From Kieran’s emphasis on adaptability and fostering a supportive environment, to Rich’s “person-first, athlete-second” approach, and Lauren’s commitment to empowering athletes in their own journey, each coach offers unique insights into the art and science of coaching. Along the way, they reflect on the mentors who shaped them, the regattas that defined their careers, and the lessons they’ve learned about creating meaningful experiences for their athletes. Together, their perspectives reveal a shared commitment to growth—both their own and their athletes’—and a belief in the transformative power of sport. This installment unpacks what drives these coaches and the philosophies that continue to elevate their work, one stroke at a time.
Coaching Philosophy
Kieran emphasized the importance of adaptability and making the most of available resources. Reflecting on his diverse coaching roles, he explained, “I focus on the positives rather than complaining about what I don’t have. It’s about using what’s available to make the project a success.” Over time, his approach shifted from being purely results-driven to prioritizing the human side of coaching. “I now focus on creating the right environment—ensuring people are happy, have the opportunity to give feedback, and feel supported,” he said. A turning point for him came when he began working independently, coaching clients one-on-one. “The experience of the client became my number one priority, ensuring they get the absolute best delivery possible. I’ve found that openness to feedback and communication improves how I deliver coaching and creates a positive response from athletes.”
Rich shared a philosophy of “person first, athlete second,” striving to understand each individual he coaches. “I focus on what makes them thrive, what annoys them… I don’t always get it right, but I try,” he said. Working with a squad of 35 women, he uses time in the weight room to engage in personal conversations. “Even a quick chat helps you learn more about them, how they’re doing, and what they need,” he explained. Reflecting on his coaching leading into the Paris Games, Rich emphasized the importance of creating memorable experiences: “Regardless of whether they won gold, silver, or bronze, I want them to look back years from now and remember the journey fondly. I want them to say they had an awesome time.” For Rich, coaching is a profession that demands continuous investment and development. “A lot of people think they can coach just because they were good athletes, but being an athlete only adds a layer to coaching. The real challenge is communication,” he said. He recounted advice he received early in his career: “In an 8+, you have nine athletes and need nine different ways to communicate one technical point because everyone learns differently. If coaching is just a dictatorship—‘do this, do that’—it won’t work. People learn in different ways.”
Lauren echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of centering athletes in her decision-making. “I haven’t got the keys to their car—they’re driving, and I’m just helping it go as fast as I can. I don’t own their journey,” she said. For Lauren, coaching is about making each experience valuable and understanding each person’s unique strengths and weaknesses. “Everyone has individual qualities we can develop, and they’re not just cogs in a machine,” she explained. She also highlighted the importance of continual learning: “Every day is learning. If we’re not willing to learn, we’ll never grow.”
Coaching Heroes
Kieran identified his first coach, Richard Harrandon, as a key influence early in his career. “I don’t even remember what the training was like; I just absolutely loved it,” he said. Later, Pete Sheppard became a significant figure in his coaching journey. “Pete was great at getting results and developing people. He gave me the freedom to make mistakes, learn the right lessons, and figure things out in my own way,” Kieran reflected. He credited Pete with creating an environment where coaches could thrive. “The support I had from him was incredible. I wouldn’t be where I am now without the opportunities he gave me.”
Lauren also praised Pete Sheppard as a leader and mentor. “He doesn’t think that he is a technical god, but he’s brilliant at what we all try to achieve,” she said. She highlighted his skill in team dynamics: “Pete has a masterful eye for putting the right people together. He knows who will click and who will work well together.” Lauren described him as someone who is self-aware and open about his own flaws, calling him a “legend” and acknowledging the impact of his support on her career. “I wouldn’t be here without him,” she added.
Rich viewed his coaching heroes not as a single figure but as a collection of influential mentors. He named Bobby Platt, Pete Sheppard, and the chief coaches he worked under, including Steve Trapmore at Cambridge, who gave him his first opportunity to coach. “Steve was incredibly thoughtful in his coaching,” Rich said. He also credited Andrew Randall for reshaping his perspective on training: “Andrew has a really tough job, making selection decisions, but he cares deeply about the athletes and their experience.” On Pete Sheppard, Rich emphasized his exceptional leadership: “Pete is phenomenal. He genuinely cares about each athlete, constantly thinks about their development, and stays in touch with athletes overseas so he can help them improve when they return.” Rich joked about Pete’s immense knowledge: “It would be pretty awesome if he had a USB port so you could plug in and download everything, because right now it’s all on sheets of paper.”
Most Memorable Regatta
Rich cited the 2024 Lucerne World Cup as his most memorable regatta. Reflecting on the experience, he described the lead-up as promising, only for the team to deliver a dreadful performance in an exhibition race. “It was a real challenge as a coach,” he admitted, “to use every minute of the next 48 hours to help them believe in what they were capable of.” Through focused effort, the crew turned things around, delivering a much stronger performance. “That regatta was a turning point in their belief and confidence,” he said, noting how it set the stage for an exciting build-up to the Olympic Games.
For Kieran, the 2024 Final Olympic Qualification Regatta (FOQR) in Lucerne held special significance as it marked his first time at the famed Rotsee, a location he described as a “bucket list venue.” He had spent three months coaching George Bourne with the singular goal of qualifying the single scull for Paris. Despite falling short of their ultimate goal, he reflected on the value of the experience. “It solidified that it’s okay to not quite make it when you know you’ve done everything possible. Helping George get back on track and enjoying rowing again was what really mattered in the end,” he said, emphasizing that the effort was worth it, even without the result they had hoped for.
Lauren had several regattas that she credited to being special. One of which was the 2018 U23 Championships in Poznan, which she described as “an incredible experience” and culminated in a World Championship title in the Women’s 2x, a world best time in the Women’s 2x, and a bronze medal in the Women’s 4x. She worked with the British quad for Tokyo that went on to earn a European silver medal in 2021, but the journey had its challenges. On the crew’s experience in Tokyo, “it was not at all what you expect the Olympic Games to be like,” Lauren said. She described the experience as humbling but full of valuable lessons. Reflecting on more recent work with the Canadian Women’s Sculling group, particularly the W4x at World Cup 3 in Lucerne 2023, she highlighted the effort and learning it took to reach that point. “There were glimmers of something really exciting for the first time that summer after so much hard work to get to that point” she said. Following on from that, the group continued to develop towards the 2024 FOQR, and although they did not achieve their goal of qualifying the W4x for the Olympics, the work set the benchmark for Women’s sculling in Canada moving towards LA 2028.
As we wrap up Part Two, the coaching philosophies and reflections shared by Kieran, Lauren, and Rich offer an inspiring glimpse into the heart of coaching high-performance rowing. From prioritizing adaptability and creating supportive environments to fostering meaningful connections with athletes, their approaches exemplify the art of balancing performance with humanity. Each coach’s journey, shaped by mentors, defining regattas, and lessons learned, underscores their commitment to both their athletes’ growth and their own development as professionals.
The conversation doesn’t end here. Coaching at this level comes with unique pressures and challenges, including maintaining your own mental health and supporting one another in a demanding, and often cutthroat profession. In Part Three, we’ll delve into these crucial topics, exploring how Kieran, Lauren, and Rich navigate the mental health demands of coaching, the importance of peer support, and the strategies they use to sustain their passion for the sport. Stay tuned as we uncover another vital dimension of the coaching experience.
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