Frequently asked questions about the Institute for Rowing Leadership. Please reach out to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions, or just want to talk!

Where is it located?
Classes take place at Community Rowing’s Harry Parker Boathouse located at 20 Nonantum Road, Brighton MA 02135 with individual practicums at programs along the Charles as well as at clubs and schools throughout the area. About CRI:

• Largest rowing club in North America
• 30,000 square ft boathouse with room for 200 boats, training rooms, full shop, classroom, locker rooms, and offices
• 100 coaches work at CRI in a typical year
• 1,000 athletes per day have rowed from CRI on peak days
• Located on the Charles River

When does the program start?
The next class of fellows will start in August 2022.

What will a typical day look like?
In the summer, the days are packed with a combination of coaching practicums, classes, and onboarding. There is also one weekend onboarding class to familiarize fellows with CRI and coaching on the Charles River. In the spring and fall, classes are scheduled in the middle of the day, typically between 9:30AM - 2:30PM, to ensure that fellows will not have conflicts with their coaching practicums. Winter is similar, but with a slightly higher number of class hours per week.

Are there any breaks during the year?
Yes. The academic year is scheduled to include a weeklong break after the first and third quarters with a two week winter break after the second quarter.

Who teaches the courses?
Courses are taught by selected Boston-area experts, including professors from surrounding colleges and universities, professionals in related fields, and coaches from the Boston rowing community.

How many hours per week will I spend coaching?
Fellows typically spend 12-20 hours per week coaching during the summer, fall, and spring quarters. This will vary by participant. The practicum for the winter term requires a reduced time commitment to accommodate the increase in coursework for the term.

How many hours per week will I spend in class?
On average, fellows will spend 12-16 hours in the classroom.

Will I coach crews at regattas?
For their coaching practicums fellows will be matched with competitive teams that compete at local, regional, and national regattas. The expectation is that they accompany their respective teams to these competitions as well as on training trips.

What is the cost?
Consistent with our mission, we believe that the sport of rowing provides unique personal and community growth opportunities. We are dedicated to making sure that tuition is not a barrier for any candidate. For committed CRI fellows, a paid coaching position at CRI can partially or fully offset your tuition, and even provide you with employee benefits during your year at the IRL. Contact us for details.

Can I enroll part time?
The program is not intended to be part-time, to allow fellows to integrate the academic content and practicum experiences. Contact us for opportunities to enroll in a selection of classes that are available for anyone not enrolled full-time.

What if I have no prior experience with coaching rowing?
We want you at IRL! The program provides comprehensive training, both in regards to academic content and authentic coaching experiences, no prior coaching experience is required.

Where can I learn more about IRL?

IRL announces early decision Class of 2023 Fellows and regular application deadline

(IRL announcement)

Ready, Row! USA: Institute for Rowing Leadership Rises Again at CRI

(Interview with CRI Senior Manager of Coach Education CB Sands-Bohrer and producer Charlotte Pierce)

Coach Education: The Institute for Rowing Leadership

(Interview with 2019 IRL Alumni Mitch McManus and CRI Senior Manager of Coach Education CB Sands-Bohrer)

Applying the Ideal Plan to the reality of your rowing program

(Interview with IRL Alumni George Munger - Class of 2015, Head Coach Tufts University Men and Tom Siddall - Class of 2019, Assistant Coach Tufts University Men)

Winter 2015 Edition of the United States Olympic Committee's Olympic Coach Magazine 

(Want a deeper sense of the educational underpinnings behind the IRL? Check out pages 36-49 of the Olympic Coach Magazine for a more in depth look at investing in coach leadership training.)

 

 

The institute for Rowing Leadership is accredited at the highest level (Level 5) offered by USCCE-NCACE and is the only accredited US Coaching Education program in rowing, ever.