COACHING SURFBOATS
UNDERSTANDING SURF
Coaching surfboat crews is challenging. It combines scientific and technical factors in an ever changing environment. Surfboat coaching includes surf skills essential for safety and competitiveness.
Surfboat coaches must prepare competitors to respond to the unexpected with a sense of adventure.
Coaching young people in a team sport incorporating surf conditions carries many responsibilities. Coaches must be qualified with an understanding of physiology, psychology, training procedures and technical aspects.
Good coaches are able to relate to competitor’s feelings. They know how to motivate and inspire. These qualities come naturally to talented coaches and cannot simply be gained by attending a coaching accreditation course!
Typically coaches aim to optimise a competitor’s skill and performance level. Assisting novice rowers to develop fundamental skills can be just as rewarding as coaching highly competitive, elite crews.
Coaches should respect the crew and provide positive feedback. The expectations of a surfboat crew includes :
Coaches can also abuse the trust of a crew by discouraging and humiliating rowers. One must never underestimate the negative effect that humiliation, false expectation and over training can have on an athlete. Coaches should regularly review the impact they are having on the crew and individual rowers.
The Sweep is usually also the Coach of a crew. There are many ways outside coaching resources can be utilised to address specific skills, crew selection, training programs and stroke correction.
Surfboat coaches must prepare competitors to respond to the unexpected with a sense of adventure.
Coaching young people in a team sport incorporating surf conditions carries many responsibilities. Coaches must be qualified with an understanding of physiology, psychology, training procedures and technical aspects.
Good coaches are able to relate to competitor’s feelings. They know how to motivate and inspire. These qualities come naturally to talented coaches and cannot simply be gained by attending a coaching accreditation course!
Typically coaches aim to optimise a competitor’s skill and performance level. Assisting novice rowers to develop fundamental skills can be just as rewarding as coaching highly competitive, elite crews.
Coaches should respect the crew and provide positive feedback. The expectations of a surfboat crew includes :
- to remain safe
- to be confident in the Sweep’s ability
- to enjoy training and competition
- to achieve results that reflect their ability
Coaches can also abuse the trust of a crew by discouraging and humiliating rowers. One must never underestimate the negative effect that humiliation, false expectation and over training can have on an athlete. Coaches should regularly review the impact they are having on the crew and individual rowers.
The Sweep is usually also the Coach of a crew. There are many ways outside coaching resources can be utilised to address specific skills, crew selection, training programs and stroke correction.
COACHING SURF SKILLS
Many top crews have similar rowing ability in smooth conditions but some gain an advantage in rougher conditions. Surf skills vary greatly between crews. It is common for coaches to focus on starts and buoy turns as areas where a crew can gain an advantage. Ironically surf skills are often the least coached and practised aspect of surfboat competitiveness.
Surf skills such as controlling an oar in chop; applying synchronised power with the other oars in turbulent water; and remaining balanced in rough conditions are more difficult to assess than rowing ability. Coaching principles also apply to surf skills - goals must be specific; measurable; achievable; and reviewable.
Surf skills require a feel for the ‘spirit’ of the sea. The entire crew must react harmoniously to unpredictable forces.
MENTORING
Coaching and mentoring are very different. Select people in either role who are not overly motivated by their own ego. External coaches and mentors must be communicative with an ability to analyse actions and suggest solutions.
Mentors have an advisory capacity. They are not directly involved with coaching teams. The Sports Commission’s Mentoring Manual states mentors can be a sounding board for problems; help identify strengths and weaknesses in the mentee; be a source of motivation and new ideas; help mentees to develop and improve; translate theoretical concepts; demonstrate practical coaching skills; and provide networking opportunities for mentees.
TRAINING PROGRAMS
Seek advice from experienced coaches and coaching manuals on the preparation of training programs. Be sure to include surf skill sessions, rest periods and milestones that identify progress. Progressively review the program which may need to be dynamic and flexible.
The most important activity on any training program is ‘REST’. Recovery is essential for progress.
Many top crews have similar rowing ability in smooth conditions but some gain an advantage in rougher conditions. Surf skills vary greatly between crews. It is common for coaches to focus on starts and buoy turns as areas where a crew can gain an advantage. Ironically surf skills are often the least coached and practised aspect of surfboat competitiveness.
Surf skills such as controlling an oar in chop; applying synchronised power with the other oars in turbulent water; and remaining balanced in rough conditions are more difficult to assess than rowing ability. Coaching principles also apply to surf skills - goals must be specific; measurable; achievable; and reviewable.
Surf skills require a feel for the ‘spirit’ of the sea. The entire crew must react harmoniously to unpredictable forces.
MENTORING
Coaching and mentoring are very different. Select people in either role who are not overly motivated by their own ego. External coaches and mentors must be communicative with an ability to analyse actions and suggest solutions.
Mentors have an advisory capacity. They are not directly involved with coaching teams. The Sports Commission’s Mentoring Manual states mentors can be a sounding board for problems; help identify strengths and weaknesses in the mentee; be a source of motivation and new ideas; help mentees to develop and improve; translate theoretical concepts; demonstrate practical coaching skills; and provide networking opportunities for mentees.
TRAINING PROGRAMS
Seek advice from experienced coaches and coaching manuals on the preparation of training programs. Be sure to include surf skill sessions, rest periods and milestones that identify progress. Progressively review the program which may need to be dynamic and flexible.
The most important activity on any training program is ‘REST’. Recovery is essential for progress.
COACHING RESOURCES
There are many resources available for coaching surfboat skills:-
There are many resources available for coaching surfboat skills:-
- Attendance at sessions held by experienced coaches and peers.
- External surf skills coaches and mentors.
- Video footage.
- Sequential images taken over a short time.
- Communication helmets enabling the sweep to communicate with an external coach.
- Beaches with headlands provide opportunities for remote observation and filming.
- Locations with similar features to upcoming major events.
- Surf conditions that assist familiarisation with a choppy surface and wind.
- The Surfboat Book – a Complete Coaching Manual by Kim Marsh.
- SLSA coaching DVD and manuals.