Richard Parr is a world-class coach with more than 30 years experience working with elite athletes around the world.
His former athletes have more than 250 medals from the Olympics, World Championships and World Cups. At least one athlete at every club he has coached has become an Olympic medalist or World Champion, including both Vashon Island RC and Burton Beach RC.
Ten athletes in three countries who he was the novice coach of have World or Olympic medals.
Coaching Academics
- Masters Degree in Motor Learning (Rowing specific), 2009, University of Otago
- Taught general coaching theory courses for the Canadian Coaching Association, Rowing Canada, NZ Sport, and Sport Canterbury
- Taught Coaching (6 years), Exercise Prescription (5 years) and Advanced Resistance Training (1 year) at Otago
- Ran course labs at Otago in Biomechanics, Exercise Physiology, Motor Learning and Sports Injuries
- Was awarded "Tutor of the Year" twice by the School of PE at Otago
- Currently a recurring guest lecturer at the Otago Polytech (via Zoom)
- Rowing Canada Certified Coach
Major Coaching Roles
Rowing Canada ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- 1994-96. Apprentice coaching with Rowing Canada
- 1996. Head of Canada's Junior National Team (also the last year Canada's juniors won a gold medal)
Rowing New Zealand ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- 1998-2002. Head of New Zealand Junior National Team
- 17 of these athletes became senior world or Olympic medalists, including seven Olympic gold medals (Twigg/Bond/Murray/Cohen)
Irish Rowing ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- 2003-2004. Director of High Performance.
- Prepared Irish Rowing for Athens Olympics
Vashon Island ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Coaching since 2012, nine athletes have made the US Junior/U23/Senior National Teams, and they have 12 World Championships medals between them (including five gold medals). (Population 10,000).