Founder & Coach - USA

Peter Cookson:
Peter has been involved in the sport of rowing since 1971. His racing background includes a six-year stint as a member of the Canadian team. Peter competed successfully in both sweep and sculling events and was a Canadian champion in various events Following his rowing career, Peter became involved in coaching and has coached successfully at all levels. He has numerous university and club championships to his credit. As well, he has been an integral member of the coaching staff of the Canadian and Zimbabwe rowing teams and has coached crews to international medals at World Championships. Peter now resides in Johannesburg, and is exploring the opportunity for a new school in the Republic of South Africa. He is a British ARA certified Silver-Award coach, a member of Sport UK and a Level 3 coach in the Canadian system.

Russell Stynes :
Russell has been involved in water sport since 1999. His racing background includes a 3 year stint as a member of the Great Britain Dragon Boating Racing Team then a 2 year stint as a pre GB coach. Russell has competed in Sculling for Upper Thames UK, Dragon Boating GB and White water Kayaking RLSCC UK. Russell became involved in coaching and has coached successfully at all levels. He has been an integral member of the coaching staff of the GB Ladies Dragon Boat Racing team for 2 years and has coached 12 individuals to international medals at World Championships. Russell now resides in England in Warwickshire a few miles away from Stratford-upon-Avon.

At the age of 40 Russell came back racing in May 2009 to race in the Asia World champs in South China collecting podium position in 5 races out of 6.      2 Golds 2 Silvers and 1 Bronze.

While Russell finally hung his blades up after finishing the 22 mile Great River Race in London Sept 2009, he still continues to race in 10k running races. From the updated photo we can see what he does know.

Coach - Europe

Andy Peach :
Andy Peach has been involved with rowing for some 34 years now. He first started way back in 1972 at Maidenhead rowing Club where he fell in some 12 times on my very first introduction to sculling. From that auspicious start he was bitten by the rowing bug that so many people talk about and went onto greater things. In 1976 he represented Great Britain at the World Junior Championships in Austria. 1977-78 saw him breaking into the GB sculling squad, coached by the legendary Mike Spracklen and Doug Melvin. In 1979-1980 he swapped from sculling to sweep oar and joined the GB heavy weight rowing squad, gaining selection for the eight. Sadly a serious knee injury put paid to my competing at the Moscow Olympics, where the eight managed a fantastic silver medal. Having recovered from surgery Andy did manage to salvage something from the season and represented England at the
Home Countries winning the coxless pairs event. Between 1981-1986 he rowed for Leander where in 1984 they lost the final of the Thames Cup at HRR, but again went onto to represent England. In 1985 they won the Ladies Challenge Plate in a record time, also in a time substantially faster time than the Grand Challenge Cup (that’s life). An Impresive 8 gold, 7 silver and 5 bronze medals won at the Nat Champs topped of a most enjoyable competitive rowing career. Andy's coaching experience has been as senior rowing master at Reading Bluecoat School for some 7 years before becoming self employed and starting his own business. Having moved to the north of England Andy began coaching at John ‘O’Gaunt rowing club. At present Andy is head coach at Lancaster University. He has also undertaken the coaching of other sports, RFU prelim and intermediate rugby coach, an ASA swimming teacher and a BWLA weightlifting teacher. The photo of to the right is Andy and his son (Vet C 1x) and son (J12 1x) winners at the world renowned Lancaster City regatta.

Camera Man - Europe

Liam Skinner :
Update soon

Admin Manager - Coach - Europe

Angela Park :
Update soon