John Wojtkiewicz

John Wojtkiewicz is challenging the structure of the sport of rowing – how are we constrained? What could we do better?
Top challenges for clubs
1. new members
2. Digital advertising and awareness
3. Equipment rotation schedules
4. Strategic vision – 10 to 30 year future map

Timestamps
01:00 John wrote a provocative article on LinkedIn which caught my eye
Rowing as a Zero Billion Dollar Industry – How we devalue our own sport
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/rowing-zero-billion-dollar-industry-how-we-devalue-our-wojtkiewicz/
03:30 Is this amateurism endemic to our culture?
We cheapen our own sport – people want it to be insular and hold onto traditions and exclude new joiners. This keeps investors out.
07:00 Golf clubs have paid professionals to coach.
Most rowing clubs have coaches – many are compensated. But a member doesn’t have the experience of a country club.
08:40 What is the rowing club experience?
From the parking lot to the boat – is everything in the boat working? Pre-emptive maintenance.
The first 30 minutes in the building are telling.
13:00 A new member arrives and there’s no signage telling them where the changing rooms are.
Club leaders should look at the club through new eyes.
16:00 Clubs love a working bee and socialising. Suggest individual assignments
20:00 The limit of our facility and space. Are you at capacity? Based on headcount and membership dues is our club sustainable? Can you pay for long term expenses.
It’s important to have community outreach to bring in new members.
27:00 New members from parents of juniors. Host and open day.
28:30 Digital advertising and awareness – most clubs need this. Many lost members in the pandemic.
APOLOGIES FOR POOR QUALITY SOUND
35:00 The portable rowing club – can you have wide body boats on a trailer?
37:00 the strategic vision for a club. Why are you here? What service you offer the community. What are you doing really well?
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