I am curious if others on here have had teammates become coaches. We have been an organized team since 2007. We have always had coaches who are not BCS team members. We have just begun to transition a teammate to become a coach in training. She’s doing a remarkable job! Great solid leader with clear and crisp commands. So my questions: 1) Does a coach have to steer or drum to coach or can you envision a world where a coach can be a paddler in the boat who coaches during rest periods as well as designs the workouts that the team will follow as called by the steerer or drummer? 2) If the only coaches on the team are teammates, can they still paddle competitively? If so, who decides if a coach qualifies to be on the most competitive boat rather than the second boat? *Thanks all! I am seriously considering becoming a coach, but I am SOOO competitive and I LOVE to paddle. I don’t mind steering some, but it isn’t my passion on the boat. I just don’t want to quit competing and I don’t want to give up paddling regularly (we practice 3 days a week).

Is anyone planning to visit France this year?

What exercise do you do during your off-season?

Look at that lucky date with three 7s! Our team in Akron, Ohio has been putting on a festival for many years! The venue is at a state park in the beautiful Portage Lakes. In 10 years of paddling and attending festivals, I may be partial in saying that we have one of the best venues around! The full course is viewable from our sandy beach. There’s also a ton of shade under the stately oak trees! We have an athletes’ village as well as vendors and massage tables. The state park recently built a beautiful visitors center with bathroom facilities. This year we had 12 BCS teams in addition to club teams, corporate teams, and community teams. Plus we are a short drive to Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Cleveland. There are so many incredible things to see and do in the area. Rent a pontoon boat and explore the lakes -14 total with 8 lakes and reservoirs connected together. From restaurants to fishing and swimming, Portage Lakes has it all (we don’t have alligators, sharks, or snakes in our waters!!)! Come for the festival and stay for a mini vacation. Akron and Cleveland are jam packed with great adventures! Who is putting this festival on their team’s calendar for next summer? We would love to host you!!

We want to better appreciate our coaching staff and are exploring options for a "perks package". Does your team offer coach incentives (e.g., discounted memberships, covered race fees, gear allowances)? What has your team found most meaningful or effective? Thanks!