Hello, I’m Guy Monseair, the Head Coach and Executive Director at City Island Rowing in Bronx, NY. Over the years, I’ve come to realize that the role of a coach transcends the physical boundaries of sports facilities—it echoes through all aspects of an athlete’s life. Today, I’d like to share how coaches can extend their influence beyond the boat and positively impact the broader lives of their athletes.

More Than Just a Sport

Rowing, like any sport, teaches discipline, teamwork, and resilience. These lessons are fundamental, but as coaches, we have a unique platform to teach much more. We are in a position to instill values and skills that athletes carry with them into their families, careers, and communities.

Setting the Right Example

It starts with us—the coaches. Every action we take and every word we say can set a precedent. If we demonstrate respect, integrity, and passion, we’re not just training athletes; we’re mentoring future leaders. I’ve always believed that being a good role model is the most powerful tool a coach has. This means showing up on time, keeping commitments, treating everyone with respect, and managing victories and defeats with grace. These behaviors encourage athletes to emulate the same in their everyday lives.

Building Life Skills Through Sports

Coaching provides numerous opportunities to instill important life skills such as communication, leadership, and problem-solving. In rowing, athletes learn to synchronize not just their physical movements but also their communication. This emphasis on clear, constructive communication is vital both on the water and off. I often conduct exercises that require athletes to give and receive feedback, a practice that helps them in academic and professional settings where teamwork and communication are key.

Leadership is another critical area. By assigning team captains and giving athletes responsibilities, I encourage them to take initiative and lead by example. These leadership roles teach responsibility, encourage them to think about the group rather than just themselves, and provide a safe space to make mistakes and learn from them.

Overcoming Adversity

Resilience is perhaps one of the most important traits an athlete can develop. In rowing, as in life, there are always challenges and setbacks. I focus a lot on mental toughness—how to stay focused under pressure, how to handle losses, and how to keep striving for improvement. By sharing stories of adversity from my own life and how I overcame them, I help athletes see that setbacks can be stepping stones to success. This mindset can transform how they approach challenges in their own lives, viewing them as opportunities to grow rather than obstacles.

Community Engagement

I also encourage athletes to engage with the community. Whether it’s participating in local clean-ups, volunteering at community centers, or hosting intro to rowing  days for the public, these activities help athletes understand their capacity to make a difference. It teaches them that being part of a team extends beyond their immediate peers and that they have a role to play in the larger community.

Lifelong Relationships

One of the most fulfilling aspects of coaching is the relationships that extend beyond the athlete’s tenure in the sport. Many athletes return years later to share their personal and professional successes. These moments underscore the lasting impact of a coach’s influence. They also provide current athletes with real-life examples of how the values and skills learned through rowing have translated into real-world success.

Conclusion

The role of a coach is incredibly powerful. Beyond teaching athletes how to pull the perfect stroke or how to navigate the physical challenges of a race, we have the opportunity to shape characters, influence futures, and inspire leaders. The ripple effect of our actions can extend far beyond the boat, helping our athletes succeed not just in sports but in life. As coaches, we are not just developing better athletes; we are helping to build better people. This, to me, is the true measure of our success.