About coaching

Coaching courses

British Rowing offers a range of coaching courses and coach education which are outlined here: British Rowing coaching qualifications.

The full calendar of courses can be found here.

Tideway coaches’ endorsement

It is a requirement of the Port of London Authority that paid coaches who drive a launch when coaching on the Tideway have the Tideway coaches endorsement. The Tideway endorsement has been agreed between the PLA and the TRRC to prevent coaches needing a full Marine and Coastguard Authority (MCA) endorsement. It is mandatory for all paid launch drivers.

The endorsement requirement applies not only to those who are paid as coaches, but also to those, such as teachers, who although not specifically employed as coaches, coach during their employment as teachers. Volunteer coaches do not need the endorsement.

To qualify for the endorsement the requirements are:

• current British Rowing membership  

• RYA level 2 launch qualification (a foreign equivalent may be accepted)

• knowledge of the Tideway Code

• holder of their club’s highest level of steers accreditation

• Tideway experience (preferably two years): this can be rowing, sculling, coxing or coaching and must be certified by a responsible member of the coach’s club

Coaches who do not have their launch qualifications can register for the six month provisional endorsement which cannot be renewed to enable them to complete their RYA L2.

Coaches new to the Tideway but with RYA L2 can register for the one year provisional endorsement which cannot be renewed and they must complete the full requirements within that time.

Coaches should sign up for the appropriate credential on the British Rowing membership system. A how to guide is available here.