Guy Monseair is the esteemed head coach and general manager of City Island Rowing in Bronx, NY. His journey from entrepreneurship in art galleries and horticulture to rowing coach is as unique as it is inspiring.
At City Island Rowing, Guy is committed to not only training athletes in the sport of rowing, but also teaching them valuable life skills by emphasizing holistic development and promoting leadership skills.
What inspired your transition from the world of art and horticulture to coach rowing?
The transition came from a realization during my volunteer work as a rowing coach. While I enjoyed the creativity and independence of my previous roles, I discovered that through coaching I could make a truly meaningful difference in young people’s lives. It was extremely rewarding to watch them grow both athletically and in their confidence and abilities. Perhaps most importantly, lives are changing as pathways to college recruiting and scholarships become possible through rowing competitions. The satisfaction of having a tangible impact on their lives is what completely drew me to coaching.
How do you integrate insights from your entrepreneurial background into your coaching?
First and foremost, hard work is the surest path to success. In addition, my entrepreneurial background has taught me a lot about innovation, risk management and strategic planning. I bring these aspects into my coaching by continually seeking innovative training methods, weighing the risks and benefits of new techniques, and strategically planning our competition and training schedules. In particular, my experience with art helps me to appreciate and teach the finer details of technique and the aesthetic aspects of rowing.
Can you describe a key challenge you have faced in your coaching career and how you overcame it?
A major challenge was to strengthen team cohesion and the individual responsibility of different groups of athletes. To combat this problem, I implemented leadership development programs that included collaborative challenges and team building activities in addition to regular training. These initiatives helped athletes better understand their roles within the team and created a supportive environment where everyone is accountable to one another.
How do you think rowing contributes to the development of future leaders?
Rowing is an excellent sport for leadership development because it requires physical, mental and emotional synchronization with the entire team. Rowing is often referred to as the “ultimate team sport,” where there are no heroes and no MVPs. Understanding that we can achieve more when everyone works together and leverages their skills and strengths to the best of their ability helps create the leaders of tomorrow. It teaches respect, resilience, communication, strategic thinking and teamwork. I emphasize these aspects in training and ensure that athletes focus not only on physical strength, but also on leadership skills that will benefit them beyond rowing.
How do you ensure that athletes maintain a balance between their athletic involvement and their academic responsibilities?
Balancing sports and academics is crucial. I work closely with athletes and their families to create schedules that allow enough time for training, learning and rest. City Island Rowing is unique among national competition programs in that we give our athletes two full afternoons off per week to ensure they have the time to achieve academic excellence and rest. This holistic approach ensures that athletes do not neglect their training while pursuing excellence in rowing.
How do you view the role of nutrition and physical recovery in rowing?
Nutrition and recovery are fundamental to athletic performance. We work with nutritionists to develop tailored diets that enhance performance and facilitate recovery. Additionally, I emphasize the importance of appropriate rest and recovery techniques, including adequate sleep and active recovery sessions, to ensure athletes remain in top shape.
Could you share a memorable moment from your coaching career with us?
A particularly memorable moment was leading our team to the national championship. What made it special was not just the win, but also the journey — the countless hours of training, the teamwork, the setbacks we overcame together. It summed up everything we work for: excellence, resilience and unity.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a rowing coach?
I advise anyone who wants to pursue a coaching career to be enthusiastic not only about sport, but also about mentoring young people. Be patient, willing to continually learn and adapt, and always prioritize the well-being of your athletes. Coaching is as much about developing good people as it is about developing good athletes.
Are there any new initiatives at City Island Rowing that you are particularly excited about?
We are currently expanding our community outreach programs and exploring partnerships with environmental organizations to promote sustainability in sport. These initiatives are exciting as they expand our impact beyond rowing, contribute to social and environmental causes, and help our athletes become responsible citizens.
This comprehensive coaching approach—which emphasizes skills, leadership, academic success, and community engagement—illustrates how Guy Monseair not only trains athletes, but actually shapes future leaders through the sport of rowing.
