The Launch

Level 3 Coach Certification

Applications are now open for Winter 2025! Apply here.

• Application Due Date:  December 8, 2024 @ 11:59PM
• Applicant Notification Date: December 20, 2024

Level 3 is for an experienced head coach, pre-elite coach, or program leader. This program is expansive in scope and will require a significant commitment from the participant. This course aims to create knowledgeable, independent-thinking coaches equipped with the vision to lead programs at every level from youth to the national team, as well as to run multipurpose programs that include outreach, adaptive, youth and masters athletes. This course will produce coaches with a wide range of knowledge, curiosity and intellect who will become future mentors and coaching educators. 

Level 3 is meant for coaches looking to make a significant impact both in their local communities and the development of our sport at the national level. Candidates should heavily consider how this certification will aid them in creating change and growth our sport. This will be a key factor when evaluating candidates for admission and will be part of the application process. Full directions for certification requirements can be found here. 

Course Description

USRowing's Level 3 course is comprised of both an online course through the Launch and live Zoom lectures and instruction. The online course is in the form of a syllabus, supplemented by comments and explanations that make it a concise and user-friendly learner's guide. Once the candidate advances through each chapter's assigned material, they are directed to answer questions correctly before proceeding to the next subject. The course will meet biweekly to welcome guest lecturers and share in group discussions. 

There is no exam. Coaches are required to complete 14 tasks throughout the course and attend all biweekly live Zoom sessions to achieve Level 3 certification. The course will culminate with a three-day seminar where coaches have the opportunity to discuss each subject in detail and present their points of view in front of the group. 

This course uses Successful Coaching and Rowing Faster as the primary textbooks. Successful Coaching by Rainer Martens is one of the best and most popular books about coaching. Rowing Faster by Volker Nolte is a collection of chapters written by top sports scientists in biomechanics (Valery Kleshnev, Volker Nolte) and physiology (Ulrich Hartmann, Declan Connolly, Kurt Jensen, Ed McNeal and others), as well as several of the world's top coaches including Mike Teti, Mike Spracklen, Dick Tonks, Yasmin Farooq, Al Morrow and others.

In addition, Level 3 includes video presentations from various coaching conferences by Harry Parker, Steve Gladstone, Tom Terhaar, Kevin Sauer, Sandy Armstrong and many others.

For more information on the L3 course, please view an archived webinar that goes into detail about what the course offers.

Application and Selection of Candidates

Applications are now open for Winter 2025 Level 3! Apply here. Candidates must apply to be considered for the Level 3 course. All candidates must have the current Level 2 certification or the previous Level II or Level III certification, as well as a minimum of two years of active coaching since earning certification. Ideally, candidates have access to athletes to complete the necessary tasks for this course however exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis.

Once all applications are submitted, the 25-30 candidates for the course will be selected by a coaching education subcommittee on the basis of results, notable achievements (e.g., building or turning around programs), lectures or presentations at coaching seminars and conferences, and how they plan to utilize Level 3 to impact change in rowing. More details and requirements are available on the application form itself. 

• Application Due Date: December 8, 2024 @ 11:59PM
• Applicant Notification Date: December 20, 2024
• Applications Now Open: Apply HERE

 Winter Course Schedule:

Cost of the Course
The course fee is $750 and includes the online course and all of the in-person (via Zoom) modules.

Additional costs include:

• Three textbooks: Successful Coaching by Rainer Martens and both the first and second editions of Rowing Faster by Volker Nolte.
• Must hold a current Championship level USRowing membership.
• NSCI Background (if not already current).

2024 USRowing United We Row Coaches Scholarship Program

Goals:

• To empower qualified coaches to enhance their skill set and facilitate their development as coaches
• To support positive leaders from multicultural and diverse backgrounds who serve as role models for others to emulate. Qualified candidates will be offered reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the program.

Cost: USRowing will award tuition scholarships to qualified coaches for their respective courses ($750 for Level 3).

Eligibility: Any USRowing registered coach who represents an underrepresented population -- ethnically, racially or people with disabilities -- is eligible to submit an application. These populations include: American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, or people with disabilities.
Process: 
Under Section 8 of the application, please indicate that you wish to apply for the United We Row Coaches Scholarship and answer all associated questions.

For any questions on Level 3 Certification please contact Cam Kiosoglous at cam.kiosoglous@usrowing.org.