Aligning Paddlers, Coaches, and Club Vision
Many paddling clubs share a common denominator: they recognize that success on and off the water hinges on being in sync, not just on the boat, but with the needs and goals of all participants. Yet, too often, there's a disconnect between what paddlers want, what coaches expect, and what the club envisions. Left unaddressed, these misalignments can quietly cause tension in morale, impede performance, and affect the long-term sustainability of the club.
The Paddlers' Perspective: Passion and Personal Goals
Paddlers come to the club with diverse motivations. Some want to compete at a high level. Others seek fitness, social connection, or simply the joy of being on the water. These motivations are all important and are integral parts of setting up the programs and water season. However, when paddlers feel that their personal goals aren't understood or cannot be achieved, they disengage. That disengagement might manifest as skipped practices, tension on the boat, or worse, a quiet departure at the end of the season.
The Coaches' Perspective: Performance and Commitment
Coaches focus on setting performance targets, fostering team cohesion, and developing the skills of their paddlers. They invest hours in planning sessions, analyzing techniques, and managing team dynamics. From their viewpoint, commitment, discipline, and progress are non-negotiables. However, when paddlers don't show up consistently or seem unfocused, it can feel like their efforts are lost, causing coaches to feel disappointed in their ability to execute the long, hard work put into a season plan.
The Club's Vision: Growth, Legacy, and Culture
Every club has a mission, whether it's written down or just lived out in the day-to-day workings of the club. They may have a "loose" vision that emphasizes competitive excellence, community outreach, youth development, or inclusivity. However, when paddlers and coaches don't align with a club's vision, it creates confusion and incohesive agendas and, in turn, unachieved goals. A club aiming for national podiums may struggle to integrate casual paddlers. A community-focused club may clash with coaches who push high-performance training.
Where the Disconnect Happens
Misalignment often starts with assumptions:
• Paddlers assume coaches should tailor the program to them
• Coaches assume paddlers will adapt to the training plan
• The club assumes everyone buys into the vision because they signed up
The result? Frustration, confusion, and a loss of momentum.
Creating Alignment: Building and Communicating the Structure
To bridge the gap, clubs must foster intentional communication. Here's how:
1. Clarify the Vision
Make the club's goals explicit. Whether you're aiming to win medals or build a welcoming paddling community, say it often and clearly. Paddlers and coaches can't align with what they don't know.
2. Listen to Your Paddlers
Survey them. Talk to them. Discover what they expect from their time on the boat. Not everyone will enjoy the same thing, but patterns will emerge, and those patterns can guide program development.
3. Support the Coaches
Equip coaches with the tools, training and understanding to manage all levels of paddler goals. Coaching isn't just about being on the water doing drills; it's also about developing specific skills within each team that align with the goals and aspirations of each group.
4. Facilitate Clear Direction
Not every paddler needs to fit into the same mould. Offer different levels of paddling, from competitive, developmental or recreational, so that paddlers can find their team without feeling they missed their boat!
5. Keep Checking In
Alignment isn't a one-time fix. Revisit the vision, adapt the programs, and communicate.
Final Thoughts
A successful paddling club isn't just about winning medals; its success lies in building the longevity and development of the paddlers it serves. When paddlers feel seen, coaches feel supported, and the club vision serves as a shared compass, culture thrives.
Learn more about what we will be covering this fall on this LIVE training: https://cherylroose.com/dragon-boat-coaching-course-build-healthy-team-cultures
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