Registration Opens for 2023 RowOn Coaching Conference; Full Schedule Announced

With the 2023 RowOn Coaching Conference under two months away, Row Ontario and AMP Rowing opened registration on Tuesday and announced the full slate of sessions for the Conference.

This year’s Conference will take place on Dec. 2-3 at Canada Games Park, which is located on the Brock University campus in Thorold, ON. The Conference features two keynote speakers and a selection of lecture and practical sessions on Saturday, Dec. 2, and the choice to attend two limited-participation fireside chat sessions on Sunday, Dec. 3. Each attendee will be guaranteed four sessions in addition to the keynote speeches. Lunch will be provided along with a presentation of coaching awards on Saturday afternoon. The bulk of the Conference will be run on Saturday, with the Fireside Chat sessions running on Sunday morning.

In June, Row Ontario announced Josy Verdonkschot, the current Chief High Performance Officer at USRowing will headline the Conference with a keynote speech titled ‘How to Build and Sustain a High Performing Culture.’ In addition to his keynote presentation, Verdonkschot will also present a second session later in the day and will be one of the speakers for the Fireside Chat session Sunday along with Gregg Hartsuff of the University of Michigan. Hartsuff, the all-time winningest rowing coach in US collegiate club history, was announced as the second keynote speaker in July and will present a session titled ‘Using a Training Programme to Build Team Unity’.

The 2023 RowOn Coaching Conference is a unique opportunity for all levels of coaches, from beginners, to veterans, to gain valuable professional development knowledge and learn from an esteemed group of presenters from throughout the rowing world.

Out of town attendees can book a room at the Four Points by Sheraton – St. Catharines Niagara Suites, located within walking distance to the Conference, at a discounted rate until Nov. 1.

The early bird deadline, which features discounts for Conference registrations, is Nov. 3. 

The full schedule of sessions can be found below. Session Descriptions and Presenter Bios can be found on the event page on our website.

Register Today

Full Conference Schedule

Dec. 2 – 8:30am
Title: How to Build and Sustain a High Performing Culture
Presenter: Josy Verdonkschot
Type: Keynote Presentation

Dec. 2 – 9:45am
Title: Using a Training Programme to Build Team Unity
Presenter: Gregg Hartsuff
Type: Keynote Presentation

Dec. 2 – 11am
Title: How to Create a Successful Training Program
Presenter: Josy Verdonkschot
Type: Lecture Session

Dec. 2 – 11am
Title: Successful Aging as a Masters Rower
Presenters: Volker Nolte, Lynda Dundas, Andrew Smith
Type: Lecture Session

Dec. 2 – 11am
Title: Best Practices in High School and Junior Rowing
Presenters: Siobhan McLaughlin, Zak Lewis, Connor Elsdon
Type: Lecture Session

Dec. 2 – 1:45pm & 2:55pm
Title: Hands-On Practical Rigging
Presenters: Mike Purcer, Mary Rao, Scott Anderson
Type: Practical Session

Dec. 2 – 1:45pm & 4:05pm
Title: Making the Most Out of Rowing on the Ergometer
Presenter: Volker Nolte
Type: Practical Session

Dec. 2 – 1:45pm
Title: Women in Coaching – A Test in Flexibility
Presenter: Brett Gorman
Type: Lecture Session

Dec. 2 – 2:55pm & 4:05pm
Title: Best Practices in Strength Training for Rowing
Presenter: Steve Di Ciaccia
Type: Practical Session

Dec. 2 – 2:55pm
Title: Coastal Rowing – How You as a Coach Can Get Involved
Presenters: Sarah Pidgen, John Armitage
Type: Lecture Session

Dec. 2 – 4:05pm
Title: A Discussion on Coaching Integrated and Adapted Programs, with Para Athletes
Presenters: Panel members will be announced at a later date
Type: Lecture Session

Dec. 3 – 9:00am and 10:10am
Fireside Chat with Josy Verdonkschot

Dec. 3 – 9:00am and 10:10am
Fireside Chat with Gregg Hartsuff