BU's coaching academy prepares Atlantic rowers

Page published: 2 June 2011

BU’s Academy of Performance Coaching, which is based in the School of Tourism, has formed a training partnership with David Whiddon and Lloyd Figgins - two men who will row across the Atlantic to raise money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

With the skills, training and expertise within the Academy, BU are helping the pair - who have not rowed before - to complete the biggest challenge of their lives when they depart from Agadir, Morocco to English Harbour in Antigua in December. Their epic mission has even attracted support from the legendary Sir Ranulph Fiennes, who has branded their challenge ‘remarkable’.

Lloyd approached Kelly Goodwin from the Academy of Performance Coaching in January, asking whether the team of experts could spare time to train the rowers. “Three months later here we are, in a state of the art lab with some of the best sports science brains in the country”, Lloyd said. “The team at BU are such a great bunch and so easy to get on with. We are extremely grateful to have them”.

Emma Kavanagh, a specialist in sports psychology in the Academy says the whole team are fully committed to turning the guys into peak condition rowers. “Quite simply, we want Lloyd and David to row across the Atlantic Ocean and withstand one of the world’s toughest endurance events”.

The rowers have been put through their paces by the Academy in a range of core areas. Expertise ranges from Sports Exercise and Coaching Science, Sports Science and Medicine, Biomechanics, Performance Analysis and Sports Engineering, Exercise Physiology, as well a Performance Nutritionist and ex-Olympic rower Bobby Thatcher who have been brought in specifically for the project.

The next step for the rowers is to continue the implementation of their plans before returning to the Academy in the summer. Lloyd feels that preparation is going well so far, and believes that an informed approach will benefit any endurance athletes.

To follow David and Lloyd’s training and preparation read their blog.