Dragon Boat West

I'm wondering what teams are paying on average for coaching fees.  Top coaches like FCRCC's Kamini would command a much higher hourly rate.  Recreational coaches should be in a lower range.  Then there are also a bunch of coaches who volunteer their time.

What should a team expect to pay on an hourly basis?  It's not necessary to identify the team or coach as this information may be confidential.  It would be good to identify the competitive level of the team (Recreational A-D, Competitive A-C).  I'm just curious on what the general market rate is for competitive level coaches and for recreational level coaches across a wide geographic range.  This information may help teams who are looking for coaches.  It may also help coaches who offer coaching services.

How about yourself being a coach? Are you trying to get an idea of how much you should charge maybe?  :P

I know that the typical going rates for some of the mid range recreational teams/stronger recreationalteams and lower comp teams that have interviewed coaches seem to go for about $45/hour. So on average it would cost a crew about $67.50 for a 1.5 hour db practice session. Some coaches even charge prep time but usually that is for the more competitive crews. And with that I am OK with since those types of coaches usually have a well thought out workout regiment for the team. What I am amazed about is that some coaches will ask that much especially when some of the rec teams do not have sponsorships and pay out of their own pockets. But then again they can only get as good a result that they can afford to pay. Also a higher costing coach does not necessarily result in higher placements either.

I don't think you will get anyone coach out there or any team out there to personally tell you how much their coach cost them. But if you know any coaches personally then just ask them.

Good luck!

How good a coach is not dependent on how much they cost.  Kamini's fee's for example, without me giving the price away, it is close to Bern Man's average price.  She deserves a lot more, with all the organizing and behind the scenes stuff she does, as well as how good she is, but she charges a very fair price.    I know of coaches that charge a lot more $ than the average, and they coach rec teams. I personally think they are overpaid.  I think when I coached I charged a fair price myself, that worked out for both sides. (It was close to the average price as well)  I hope this helps. 

i think before worrying about cost, its important to find a coach who fits well with the team.  ie. a fun, light-hearted team with a like-minded/similar personality coach.  if you try to match a rec team who's really just out to have a good time while improving a bit with a complete task master of a coach, you're going to have a horrible year.  its one of those things where you have to sit down as a team, figure out what you want in a coach, and then figure out some min and max rates you're willing to pay.  if you find someone who is a good match for the teach, chances are they're not going to be haughty and say "this much or i'm walking".  there'll probably be some negotiating involved. 

Coach?  Our "coach" (or coaches, depending on which year we're talking about) paddles on the team and works for the occasional beer.  Even when we were a team pulling 500m in 2:05, that was the case.  We've done a few different things over the years - waive their membership fees, provide extra gifts, etc.  But I don't recall our club ever paying an hourly fee for coaching - maybe back in the early 90's, when the club first started, but that's before my time.

That being said, we have considered bringing in an outside coach, and will probably debate that issue again over the winter.