Conference Schedule
THE CONFERENCE FOR ROWING COACHES
December 5-7, 2025
Saratoga Springs, NY
FRIDAY
Registration
Conference Opening
Keynote Address
Wine and Cheese Social
3:00-5:30 pm
5:30-5:45 pm
5:45-7:00pm
7:00-8:00pm
SATURDAY
Coffee Break
Women in Coaching Chat
Workshop Session #1
Coffee Break
Workshop Session #2
Luncheon and Awards
Technology Corner
Workshop Session #3
Coffee Break
Plenary Session
Beer Social
7:30-8:00 am
7:45-8:45 am
9:00-10:15 am
10:15-10:45 am
10:45-12:00 pm
12:00pm-1:30pm
1:40-2:40pm
2:45-4:00 pm
4:00-4:15pm
4:15-5:30pm
5:30-6:30pm
SUNDAY
Coffee Break
Workshop #4
8:00-8:30 am
8:30-9:45 am
Women in Coaching Chat
Keynote Address
Jillian Green Loughran
Plenary Session
THANK YOU to our Major Sponsors for their generosity and dedicated support of The Conference:
Concept 2 Women in Coaching Chat
Hudson Boatworks Keynote Address
Wintech King Racing Wine and Cheese Social
Row2k Plenary Session
Vespoli, USA Coffee Breaks
NK Sports Saturday Night Beer Social
Women in Coaching Chat
Sponsored by Concept 2
Statement of Purpose
The Women in Coaching Conversation is a space for women, by women, to discuss challenges and opportunities in coaching rowing and leadership within the field of athletics.
The group will explore topics related to being a female bodied individual in this career and aims to provide a safe space to share resources and ideas, and build community, connections, and a network to support women in gaining more coaching and leadership roles in the sport. While the specific topics will change each year, and the forum will develop as we learn how to best serve ourselves, we aim to raise the ceiling for women in this highly competitive industry while cultivating an environment of support and career sustainability.
While the space is open to all who care to listen and learn, all attendees are expected to respect the purpose of the space in centering and prioritizing women’s voices, experiences, and opportunities.
2025 Guiding Question
This year, we’ll explore the following topic together with the group:
Coming Soon!
Plenary Session
Sponsored by Row2k
Coming Soon!
Joe DeLeo (University of Kansas):
Workshop #1: Predicting 2k Rowing Ergometer Performance
Can the 7-Stroke Peak Power, 20-Second, and 60-Second All Out Tests predict 2k Rowing Ergometer Performance? Attendees will learn what test(s) have the strongest relationship to 2k erg performance and which test(s) are best to implement for testing and monitoring purposes. Recommendations for practical applications will be provided.
Workshop #2: Training Intensity Distribution
The impact of Training Intensity Distribution on Neuromuscular Performance across 2 NCAA Seasons
Kelsey Franks (Temple): Educating & Evaluating Coxswains
Caitlin McClain (U19 Women's National Team): Holistic training as a crew
Achieving what the crew is capable of: leveraging technical drilling and mental training to maximize performance.
Sarah Low (Sammamish Rowing): Mentoring
Mentorship from both ends: how to be a mentor, and how to find a mentor.
Asiya Mahmud (University of Delaware): Leading with vision, representation, and purpose in collegiate rowing.
Paul Laursen (Athletica.ai):
Workshop #1: The Science and Application of High Intensity Interval Training
Discover the science behind High Intensity Interval Training and its practical applications for endurance performance optimization.
Workshop #2: Integrating Technology and AI with Foundational Knowledge
Explore the evolution of sports science and how AI and technology are revolutionizing coaching strategies and training optimization.
Adrienne Martelli (Clemson): Building buy in
Kevin Sauer (Sauer-Rowing):
Workshop #1: Training with Empathy
Discussion about how to train hard while also understanding and being empathetic to the stressors of today’s athlete.
Workshop #2: Rowing Technique
Al Monte (University of Pennsylvania): Moving from assistant coach to head coach
Mike Purcer (Canada): Rigging
This session will review rigging dimensions and how changes influence the length and load of the setup. The session will also cover individual rigging and the necessary adjustments for different body types or skill levels to optimize crew timing. Video footage of crew bladework will be reviewed, and coaches will be encouraged to share the challenges they have faced in the past and how they were addressed
Cory Sanderson (Juniors): Mental Tools: Mindfulness, Focus, and Communicating Effectively
A conversation about habits, practices and ways to intentionally incorporate mindfulness and communication strategies into both your coaching toolbox, as well as your athlete's.
Mark Williams (University of Toronto): Crew Selection
Getting the right people in the right seats in the right boat.
Andriel Doolittle (USCGA): Boathouse Culture
Building upon the existing boathouse culture when stepping into a new position
Mark Davis (Seattle Prep/ Co Director of The Conference): Recruiting
Examing the college recruiting process to see what is working and what isn't from the prospective of the college coach and high school athlete.
Craig White (Brick City Rowing): Youth Technical Development
Addressing Limiting Factors, Programmatic Structure, & Getting Skills to Stick (Long Term).