Remote
Below is a list broken down by category. If you have more resources that you think should be included, please get in touch via rowingrelated [at] gmail [dot] com, or via social media. One thing we've tried to keep in mind in building this is that we know budgets are tight—all of the below have free options to get started. Cheers!
We'll keep updating this page with new resources as they come in.
Video
Zoom
There's a reason why Zoom's stock has surged in light of everyone moving online lately—it's widely regarded as the best video conferencing platform in terms of functionality and fidelity, and that's been our experience as well.If you want more information on how they're supporting people at this time, they've built a COVID-19 resource with tutorials and more details on hosting virtual events. The free plan is very generous as well, allowing you to host group meetings up to 40mins long, with unlimited one-to-one calling.
More information on Zoom pricing →
Google Hangouts
Everyone knows this already (probably?) so we're not going to go into much detail here, but Google's suite of tools (including Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Hangouts) are free and can be very useful for collaboration at a distance. The catch is, of course, that everyone has to have a Google account—but then, those are freely available (and let's face it, probably you already have one anyway).More information on Google Hangouts →
Facebook Workplace
Yes, it's fun to hate Facebook, but like Google, it's ubiquitous, and actually quite useful when approached the right way. Facebook 'Workplace' is much like other collaboration environments, including a kind of Slack-like groups feature, as well as video calling (free for groups up to 20 people).More information on Facebook Workplace pricing →
Instagram Live
If you're just looking to broadcast something, or connect with a specific group in real time, Instagram Live is another free tool that can be useful and intuitive. In fact, NBA star Stephen Curry just hosted Dr. Anthony Fauci this week for a Q&A on COVID-19 and how we should approach social distancing.More information on how to use Instagram Live 📲
Planning and management
Ludum
As outlined in the case study above, Ludum is a resource that is built with rowers in mind, and already in use across several high profile rowing squads in the UK, as well as the Australian national team. Also, they've recently announced an extended free trial period in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, until August 2020.
We haven't used it ourselves, so we can't speak directly to functionality, but have a look at the above video and you can decide if you'd like a free trial. After that, it's between $.99 or $2.99 per person for the basic or performance level versions.
More information about Ludum →
Notion
This is one of our favorite collaboration tools. For the software-savvy crowd, imagine a combination of Confluence and Trello, that actually works. You can easily build schedules, plan training, and offer a resource hub (effectively like having a wiki or series of wikis that can include features like progress boards, images, videos, and more). Again, the free plan is robust and even allows a fair amount of collaboration for those with Notion accounts.It also offers mobile apps so that any changes sync immediately to all your devices.
Best uses: Centralized planning tool, information hub, calendar, and progress board.
More information about Notion →
Trello
Trello is essentially a progress board (or Kanban board), but the beauty of it is that each 'card' (think of it as a sticky note on a physical board) can have attachments like images or PDFs, as well as comments and checklists. So it's a useful way to track progress as well as have a discussion, all in the same place. It's also free to sign up. In our opinion, Notion is better, but that's just our take.Best uses: Centralized planning tool, progress board.
More information about Trello →
Asana
This tool is quite similar to Trello in many ways, but builds in a little more complexity. The free version allows you to collaborate with up to 15 teammates, and includes things like being able to assign tasks to team members, view tasks as lists, boards, or calendars, as well as integrate with other apps like Slack and Gmail. In our opinion, Notion is better, but again, that's just our take.Best uses: Centralized planning tool, progress board.
More information on Asana →
Asensei
This is another remote coaching app with rowing built into the approach—the instructors include none other than Eric Murray of the Kiwi Pair. Again, we haven't used this personally, but it seems to be a solid option and works with Concept2 to monitor performance and track workouts, including making technical recommendations (this appears to be based on Concept2 rower data). The website says there is a free trial option, but the pricing is unclear. It offers an iOS app butBest uses: Erg workouts, training tool.
More information on Asensei →
Rowsandall Rowing Data Analysis
Thanks to Greg and Sander on Twitter for the heads up about this one—according to the website, it offers ways to "Maintain a consistent log for all your rowing (indoor and on the water) and sync your workouts to popular tools as the Concept2 logbook, Strava, TrainingPeaks, SportTracks and others," as well aseasily manage your athletes, set up plans and monitor execution and technique."It's another one we haven't personally used, but it's free to sign up, and you can register as either an athlete or a coach.
More information on Rowsandall →
Another note: Rowsandall has also started a resources page for COVID-19, which you can find here.
Other planning and management options
Airtable (similar to Asana and Trello, but slightly limited in free version), ClickUp (another similar management app, but with a more robust set of features than Asana or Trello—also maxes out at $5/month per person).Communication
Best uses: Fast and easy group texting and file sharing.
More information about WhatsApp →
Another similar option is Facebook Messenger, since you're already in the Mark Zuckerberg ecosystem.
Telegram
This is one of the major WhatsApp competitors, and is independently owned. The Telegram website says that it offers a more secure encryption than WhatsApp, and unlike WhatsApp (which has capped group size at 256 people), Telegram groups can include up to 200,000 people—you know, in case you want to send a message to every rower in the United States at once—and has an iPad app in addition to desktop versions.Best uses: Fast and easy group texting and file sharing.
More information about Telegram →
Signal
Like Telegram, Signal is independently owned, and very secure. How secure? There's a testimonial from Edward Snowden on their homepage. Like Telegram, it supports iOS and Android (including tablets), as well as offers a desktop platform. And again, like Telegram, it's free for everyone, and doesn't sell ads.Best uses: Fast and easy group texting and file sharing.
More information about Signal →
Mailchimp
You'e probably received email campaigns built in Mailchimp, whether you realize it or not—maybe you've even used it already. But if you want to centralize your email communication, or even build a landing page, Mailchimp is a great option. It's free for lists of up to 2,000 subscribers, has an intuitive design, and offers mobile apps that help with both building campaigns and analytics like open and click rates.Best uses: Team newsletters, mass communications.
Information and resources Mailchimp during these COVID-19 times →
Slack
While it's primarily a business tool, Slack has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with more information and features that can be used in a school (or even sports team) context. In our experience, it's great for continuing to foster a feeling of group collaboration, while also allowing smaller teams to work efficiently together through dedicated channels.Best uses: Can replace email for internal communications. Offers one-to-one video calling with the free version.
More information on Slack →
Performance tracking
Erg Slayer
This is another rowing-specific tool—and while we haven't used it, it seems like it could come in handy as a way to track workouts from a distance. The features listed on their site include workout storage, team calendars, roster management, and targeted workouts. The free version requires 'public scoring' and is good only for a single user, while the private team version is $30/month.
Strava
Strava is great for tracking running and cycling workouts, so not rowing-specific, but a way to connect on group cross-training at least. It's free to create and account and it effectively uses the well established social media-style 'newsfeed' approach—that is, you 'follow' your friends and see a timeline of their updates. (The downside is, of course, all of that tracking data is in the cloud—your comfort level with that is up to you to decide.)
More information on Strava →
If you have more resources that you think should be included, please get in touch via rowingrelated [at] gmail [dot] com, or via social media. One thing we've tried to keep in mind in building this is that we know budgets are tight—all of the below have free options to get started. Cheers!
