Last Stroke Counts

Talking through dangers of ignoring your limits in endurance sports.

We caught up with the man behind Feather'n'Square Miles Beeson earlier this year to find out what it's like training for gold in the senior GB squad whilst building a successful brand in rowing. Tune in for great insights on entrepreneurship and being a world-class athlete.Get The Rowers Hand Care Kit and help support Miles on his journey to the LA2028 Olympics 🤞https://feathernsquare.com/products/the-rowers-hand-care-kit

In this episode we sit down with Gosia Bieniek from Light Blue Clinic & Susie Dear former GB rower in a panel to discuss how nutrition and training around the menstrual cycle can aid the performance.Light Blue Clinic has just released a course for individuals and organisations to make the most of the information provided here and below. View the courses here: https://www.lightblue.clinic/challengesAbout Gosia: Gosia Bieniek is a Sports Performance Director and co-owner of a first cryotherapy centre called Light Blue Clinic based in Cambridge, UK. Her work focuses on female athletes, training according to menstrual cycle and screening for LEA (Low Energy Availability) and RED-S. She is a Strength and Conditioning Coach at Cambridge University Boat Club (men’s side) and coaches a variety of individual clients including female master rowers. Gosia holds an MSc in Strength and Conditioning and BSc in Sport and Exercises Science plus various soft tissue and sports massage qualifications. She gained her clinical experience working at Spire Lea Hospital in Cambridge with BUPA as a health advisor. About Susie:Susie’s story began back in 2012 at Oxford Brookes University, where she first learnt to row. Over the next 10 years, she went on to row with Sydney Rowing Club, Leander Club, and ultimately trained and raced with the British Rowing Team. Along the way, she had some incredible experiences, including winning a bronze medal at World Cup III and becoming a two-time Henley Royal Regatta winner. During the 2021–2022 season, Susie struggled with RED-s while training full time with the British Team (which ultimately contributed to her retirement from the sport in 2024). This challenging period opened her eyes to the importance of athlete welfare and health. Since retiring from rowing and becoming a mum, she has been dedicated to supporting the welfare needs of athletes. Susie works at Oxford Brookes University, where she provides care for student-athletes in distress. About the course:Female athletes are more prone to develop a complicated relationship with food due to the unrealistic expectations of social media, society or peer pressure. Therefore, it is essential to equip athletes with various tools that would help with early detection of undereating. It’s also advisable to pay an extra attention to young athletes who are going through growth development and light weight rowers who must train with a significantly lower energy intake than open weight. Low energy availability (LEA) and relative energy deficiency in sports can impact both genders, however the sole purpose of this course is to focus on female physiology.LEA and RED-s courses for female rowers are a comprehensive guide to an early management and detection of disordered eating which can be detrimental for health. Both courses have been designed for parents, coaches, athletes or organisations who are serious about finding out more about preventative measurements or solutions to aid with an early detection of LEA or RED-S.The material covers all of the essential subjects linked with eating habits and training’s energy demands. Every module contains a video, slide and a description, additionally at the bottom of the course users can find documents and other resources to download. There are two different courses to chose from one is for individuals and the second one for organisations like sports clubs or universities.

A Chat with the new Chair of Henley Royal Regatta at the Regatta HQ just ahead of the 2025 Event, listen to the backstory of Richard, his experiences at Cambridge, umpiring, becoming a HRR Steward to now becoming Chair. Episode is packed full of interesting, technical anecdotes & insights plus updates on what's to come in the future. Enjoy!

Catch up with the Sinkovic Brothers in Zagreb talking about their career, success, winning three Olympic games, how to make every boat go fast, plans for the future and many more exclusive insights!

Fascinating chat with former GB Rower Sam outlining his rowing model, career, journey of trying to qualify for the Olympics in the lightweight double plus many more interesting insights and exclusive rowing tips.

Hear the incredible story of Emily Craig who has won a gold medal in the lightweight double sculls in Paris and became the forever Olympic Champion

We caught up with Cedol to discuss his rapid rise to the top of the sport and first experiences in the GB rowing team.

Discussing the events of The 2025 Oxford v Cambridge Boat Race

Dave Bell back for 4th time

All about quality with Cam & Simon

☕️ Support us  👉 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/laststrokecounts In this episode of Last Stroke Counts, we sit down once again with Olympic Champion, Rosie Popa. On the topic of Olympics & pursuing new goals, we delve deep into the transition from being an elite athlete to finding new passions in the world of career and business. We explore a number of topics including imposter syndrome, dealing with injuries, the coach-athlete dynamic alongside insightful discussions on the selection process within Australian Rowing, National Squad Trials, and how the system works down under. So, tune in &  join us for another exceptional episode with Rosie Popa as we uncover leveling up your mindset game to ultimately make every last stroke count. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @iloveitwhenyoucallmebig_popa @laststrokecounts @rowgearuk @thomasclark.gb @piotrgggolawski

☕️ Buy us a coffee  👉 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/laststrokecounts 💪 Support on Patreon 👉 https://www.patreon.com/LastStrokeCounts In this episode of Last Stroke Counts, we sit down with Olympic silver medallist, Henley Royal Regatta 9-time winner & commentator, returning guest — Jack Beaumont — to debrief the Paris 2024 Olympics. We dive deep into Jack’s experience commentating & spectating at the Olympics, reflecting on the intense competition and standout moments. He shares his thoughts on the Netherlands' remarkable success and what sets their rowing program apart, making them the top nation in rowing at Paris 2024. We then gave an in-depth analysis of the GB rowing crews, evaluating their performances and discussing their races with keen insight. We explore what worked, what didn't, and what lies ahead as these athletes look towards the Los Angeles 2028 Games. So, tune in & join us, as this episode is packed with expert analysis, insights & behind-the-scenes stories discussing making every last stroke truly count. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @jackbeaumont123 @laststrokecounts @rowgearuk @thomasclark.gb @piotrgggolawski

☕️ Buy us a coffee  👉 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/laststrokecounts 💪 Support on Patreon 👉 https://www.patreon.com/LastStrokeCounts In this episode of Last Stroke Counts, we sit down with Alexandra Wenyon, a Henley Royal Regatta winner, GB, Wales, and Australia representative, who has mastered the art of balancing a full-time career with elite rowing. Alexandra shares her journey through the 'golden era' of Brookes, revealing how the foundation laid during those transformative years contributed to the tremendous success the club sees today. She offers an in-depth look at the innovative practices that helped her stand out during selections and the legendary Wimbleball camps that propelled Brookes to new heights. Alexandra also discusses her transitions to Thames and Molesey Boat Clubs, comparing the unique environments tailored to athletes with different goals. Listeners will enjoy hilarious tales from her stints in international rowing, including racing in the Red Bull and Heineken races. More importantly, she provides invaluable advice on managing the rigorous demands of a career while training competitively, ensuring athletes can thrive in both arenas. So tune in & join us as we uncover the secrets to Alexandra's successful dual path, advice and inspiration, proving once again why every last stroke counts. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @alwenyon @laststrokecounts @rowgearuk @thomasclark.gb @piotrgggolawski

☕️ Buy us a coffee  👉 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/laststrokecounts 💪 Support on Patreon 👉 https://www.patreon.com/LastStrokeCounts In this episode of Last Stroke Counts, we have the privilege of chatting with Ali Brown, a distinguished coach at Leander Club and a former GB lightweight. Ali shares his extensive experience in developing top-tier rowing & sculling squads, detailing the strategies that have led his teams to victory at prestigious competitions like the Henley Royal Regatta where they most recently won the Queen Mother Challenge Cup and Prince of Wales Challenge Cup with club athletes. Ali delves into his coaching philosophy, which focuses on nurturing individual athlete potential as well as fostering a team environment where each member is motivated to achieve their best. He provides a unique insight into the role of coaching that often extends far beyond the technical aspects of boat moving. Listeners will also enjoy Ali's recount of transitioning from an athlete to a high-performance coach, along with the lessons learned and humorous anecdotes from his illustrious career. He discusses the importance of adapting coaching techniques to meet modern challenges and how he has evolved his methods to keep his teams at the forefront of competitive rowing. So tune in & join us, as we delve into the inner workings of elite sports coaching and the dynamics of leading a successful rowing team training to make every last stroke count. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @abrowncoaching @leander_club @laststrokecounts @rowgearuk @thomasclark.gb @piotrgggolawski

☕️ Buy us a coffee  👉 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/laststrokecounts 💪 Support on Patreon 👉 https://www.patreon.com/LastStrokeCounts In this episode of Last Stroke Counts, we are excited to host another returning guest — Kieran Clark for a deep dive into the world of rowing telemetry. Kieran Clark, renowned for his analytical approach and successful coaching strategies, shares everything you need to know about utilising and understanding telemetry in rowing. Kieran walks us through the practical applications of this advanced technology in training, racing, and selection processes. He explains how telemetry can identify key patterns in athletes, enhance training sessions, and significantly boost performance by making precise adjustments based on real-time data. The discussion also covers how coaches and athletes alike can leverage telemetry to push their limits and achieve new heights. Kieran provides detailed insights into how this technology is shaping the future of rowing and what it could look like in the upcoming years. So, tune in & join us as we sit down for another awesome chat with Kieran Clark unveiling the secrets of telemetry in rowing, and offering listeners an exclusive look at how these tools are used at the highest level in sport. Whether you're new or familiar with the rowing data, we aim to deepen your understanding of what goes into top-level rowing performance & making every last stroke count. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @clarkperformancerowing @laststrokecounts @rowgearuk @thomasclark.gb @piotrgggolawski

☕️ Buy us a coffee  👉 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/laststrokecounts 💪 Support on Patreon 👉 https://www.patreon.com/LastStrokeCounts In this special episode of Last Stroke Counts, we resume our captivating chat with Triple Olympic Champion and rowing legend Andrew Triggs Hodge. Andrew shares with us the latter half of his career, taking us through the strategic moves, challenges, barriers and intense rivalries post-Beijing Olympics leading up to his third & ultimate victory in Rio. He delves into what was behind the decision to try the pair with Pete Reed, the fierce competition with New Zealand’s Kiwi Pair, and his return to the men's four for the London Olympics. Andrew reveals the immense pressures he faced when racing, developing under coach Jurgen Grobler and he recounts his showdowns with top global contenders, providing brilliant insights into his psychological resilience and tactical prowess required to deliver when it matters the most.  We also covered the more difficult parts of his career such as illness, and injury & talked about Andy’s approach to getting back to being his best self and helping the team be the strongest it can be for the Rio Games. So, tune in & join us for another action-packed episode with Andrew Triggs Hodge as he shares the stories of passion, grit, and gold strokes that defined his Olympic legacy and continue to inspire rowers around the world in pursuit of making every last stroke count. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @andrewthodge @londonyouthrowing @laststrokecounts @rowgearuk @thomasclark.gb @piotrgggolawski

☕️ Buy us a coffee  👉 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/laststrokecounts 💪 Support on Patreon 👉 https://www.patreon.com/LastStrokeCounts In this episode of Last Stroke Counts, we are joined by Seb Benzecry, the president of Cambridge University Boat Club and a three-time Boat Race champion. We delve into his rowing journey, from his early days at St Paul's School & GB Junior vests to rowing at Princeton & his triumphs at Cambridge. Throughout our chat, Seb shares insights into the leadership styles of his influential coaches, Bobby Thatcher and Rob Baker, discussing the strategic decisions that have shaped their approach to leading successful teams. He reflects on the challenges and successes of his presidency, particularly during the period of intense competition and the recent victory that positioned Cambridge as an underdog turned champion. We also talk about this year’s hit —  "Turning The Tide”, a documentary by ROW360, capturing the essence of the Boat Race and Seb’s involvement in it. Furthermore, we touch upon Seb’s final campaign down the Henley track, encapsulating his time with the Light Blues with a blend of nostalgia and forward-looking perspectives. So, tune in & join us as we unpack the nuances of building a cohesive team and tight unit, overcoming setbacks, and the relentless pursuit of rowing excellence in a race where every last stroke truly counts. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @bezencs @cubcsquad @laststrokecounts @rowgearuk @thomasclark.gb @piotrgggolawski