Our Coaches

Michael Smyth

Club Captain and Director of Coaching, Men’s Championship Squad assistant coach.

Mike became started coaching the men’s squad at Kingston RC (London) in 1998, and joined ARC 2002 with the responsibility of developing a women’s squad.

Mike’s fondest memories of preparing crews for Henley Royal Regatta, and his most memorable races as coach are those where he reversed the fortunes of a crew; his London Docklands Regatta crew was thrashed by the Leander RC U23 four, but then staged a rousing comeback to beat Leander by 2 lengths the next day. His lwt sculler finish top 15 in the Scullers Head in London, then in 2005 his W4+ (who people had written off) collected silver medal at the NZ Champs. Mike has been successful in building competitive squads up from low numbers.

“Seeing crews improve and enjoy the process of improvement is why I coach. ARC has so much potential and seeing that potential realise itself is an amazing experience.”

Sam Henry

Women’s Championship Squad.

Sam coaches our Women’s Championship Squad with passion and vigour.

Harman Ward

Men’s Championship Squad.

Harman Ward has coached successful crews from 1999 starting at Auckland Grammar School, ARC Men’s Senior Squads, Auckland Men’s U18 Squad, also having coached New Zealand Junior National teams at World Rowing Junior World Championships in 2003 and 2004.

“One of the highlights of my coaching career was the 2008 season, coaching the ARC Men’s Senior squad. Throughout the season the squad showed great team spirit, attitude and commitment which resulted in them achieving the success they were after.

I enjoy coaching ARC crews mainly to help them realise what can be achieved with focus and commitment and assist them achieve success.”

Wing Rick Ki Kam

Learn to Row deveoplement programme.

Wing has been coaching since 2012, first cutting his teeth as co-coach of the novice women. In 2012, Wing launched ARC’s first “learn-to-row” programme following in the wake of interest in rowing following Olympics. Wing handles more athletes in a month than most coaches will see in a full season (he has also seen the most capsizes).

“The highlight of my coaching so far was actually helping 2 international students during their short term stay. They would run 1.5 hours to the club every Sunday and I would teach them rowing in quad double or single. One of them later on won a national title in this country, he wrote to me to say thank you. It was a pretty special experience.

I enjoy coaching here because the club management trust me to produce the best athlete for the club and allow me space to try new methods to do the same job better.”

Ian McKinnon

Novice Squad.

Ian has been coaching for 22 years. during that time he’s coached club men’s and women’s crews, school crews from Penrose High School, St. Kentergens and Pukekohe High (for 12 years) with over 20 medals in major events.

“There have been many highlights during my coaching time. It’s satisfying taking rowers from novice through to success; getting someone into a NZ crew is good. I like coaching Auckland crews because it’s my club.”

Barry Cleal

Coaching Consultant.

Barry Cleal is a legend in New Zealand rowing, and has an incredibly long history with Auckland Rowing Club. His coaching achievements are almost too numerous to mention, and his golden one-liners on the water make him one of the true characters in our sport. Barry “finishes” ARC crews, injecting speed into boats as if by magic.

“That boat was just screaming… For help.”