In Episode 4, Alex sits down with Malvern Prep Head Coach James Konopka to explore what it really takes to build a coaching career—and a program—from the ground up.

James grew up in rowing, with the sport deeply embedded in his family, but his path into coaching was anything but easy. From making $10,000 his first year and cold-emailing for opportunities, to learning by sitting in launches and asking questions, his story is a blueprint for young coaches trying to break into the sport.

The conversation goes deeper than results. James reflects on how his philosophy has evolved—from chasing medals to focusing on athlete development, accountability, and long-term engagement in the sport. He shares what he’s learned about goal setting, mentorship, and why curiosity—not confidence—is the defining trait of great coaches.

They also tackle bigger questions:

• Is there a real path to becoming a professional rowing coach?
• Is scholastic rowing growing or eroding?
• And what is the sport missing to move forward?

This episode is a candid look at coaching, growth, and the future of rowing—from one of the sport’s rising young leaders.

In this episode, Alex sits down with Sarah Low, Executive Director of Sammamish Rowing and longtime junior coach, to talk about coaching development and the future of the sport.

Two key ideas stand out in the conversation. First, the best coaching education doesn’t happen in lectures or online seminars — it happens in small, in-person conversations where coaches can challenge ideas, ask questions, and learn from each other. Second, many young coaches hold themselves back by assuming top coaches are unreachable. Sarah shares how one simple email asking to observe a practice turned into a valuable learning experience — and why more coaches should be willing to just ask.

It’s a thoughtful discussion about mentorship, confidence, and how better coaching knowledge spreads through the sport.

2026e2 - Julian Canha - DC National
Julian Canha is a veteran high school head coach and program director with nearly two decades of experience, including dominant programs as an assistant at Montclair and and head coach at DC National. A former coxswain and University of Michigan rower, he’s led undefeated varsity seasons, won multiple Stotesbury and SRAA medals, coached USA Junior National Team athletes, and developed rowers recruited to Ivy League schools, Cal, and Washington.

2026e1 - Matt Russell, TBC Racing.

Entering his 40th year in the sport, TBC Racing founder Matt Russell has seen a ton of development in the Sport. Growing the program from an initial group of 4 boys, there are now over 400 athletes involved with TBC Racing. TBC Racing has become the place in the Washington DC area to have fun and go fast.

2024e4 - Mark Gainey - Strava
Mark Gainey was a kid from Reno, Nevada who never expected to end up on the Harvard Rowing team. Mark was actually recruited to Harvard for running! Mark was a fast cross country runner who had an unfortunate injury that ultimately let him to the Harvard boathouse. Once he got in a boat he was hooked. On top of that, he met his future business partner. Now years later, Mark has launched multiple successful companies, most recently, the fitness app STRAVA.

2024e3 - Tim Spell - OpenWater
Tim Spell is one of the founders of OpenWater and the definition of a grinder. Tim and Alex first crossed paths at George Washington Rowing and have stayed close ever since. In 2012 Tim founded OpenWater, one of the leaders in cloud-based software. In addition to talking about the work that went into his company, he talks about the importance of fitness and the role it has played in being a leader.

2024e2 - Jack Carlson - Rowing Blazers
Jack Carlson didn't start out with the plan to start a fashion company that has been featured in Forbes, Equire and Target.
After being introduced to rowing in prep school, Georgetown, Oxford and a run at the US National team, Jack's side hustle of creating the Rowing Blazer's book, was launched in partnership with Ralph Lauren. Hence, the Rowing Blazers brand was born.

2024e1 - The Gathering Place Brewery
The 2024 season of the Rowers Choice Podcast has a different theme than the past few years. We are going to continue to talk with rowers, but this year we are focused on talking to rowers who started or founded a business. We open 2024 with a good friend of Alex and CJ, Joe Yeado. Joe is the owner of The Gathering Place Brewery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Alex talks to Joe about his start in rowing at Marquette, rowing at Potomac Boat Club in Washington DC and then opening his brewery.