“What does it mean to coach a mixed rowing crew?”
A simple question — but as Francesco Noio (Canottieri Partenio) and Roberta Bedin (Lega Navale Pomezia) reveal in their exclusive interview, the answer is layered with insight, experience, and a bold vision for the future of rowing.
In a sport often divided along gender lines, mixed crews are quietly leading a revolution — and these two coaches are right at the helm.
💬 Coaching Mixed Teams: Strategy Meets Empathy
Francesco and Roberta take us behind the scenes of what it means to guide a coed crew. It’s not just about balancing physical strengths — it’s about building a shared culture of trust, adaptability, and mutual respect.
“Coaching a mixed crew means rewriting the rules every day,” says Roberta.
“It takes flexibility — and the courage to look beyond traditional categories,” adds Francesco.
Mixed teams force coaches to tune into individual athletes more deeply and to lead with both precision and emotional intelligence.
💡 Inclusion Is the Destination
Mixed rowing isn’t a side project — it’s a vision.
A vision where men and women row together, not despite their differences, but because those differences make the team stronger.
For Noio and Bedin, inclusive rowing is more than a social ideal — it’s a performance enhancer and a cultural shift. It redefines what a team can be.
🔥 The Hidden Power of Coed Crews
Mixed crews aren’t just symbolic — they’re powerful.
The blend of diverse mindsets, strengths, and communication styles creates something uniquely dynamic. As the coaches put it: “There’s potential you don’t even see — until you experience it.”
Rowing together, side by side, teaches athletes not only how to sync their strokes but how to connect beyond the boat.
🟣 Not Just an Option — A Movement
This is where RAEX comes in: to champion a version of rowing that welcomes, rather than excludes.
Clubs like Canottieri Partenio and Lega Navale Pomezia show us that inclusive sport isn’t a “nice to have” — it’s a game-changer.
Mixed rowing is no longer a novelty. It’s a statement. It’s a direction.
And maybe most importantly, it’s a reminder: the only weight that matters is the one that lifts the whole boat.
👉 Ready to dive deeper? Read the full interview with Francesco and Roberta here
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