The recruiting process can feel overwhelming.
Pulling a faster 2k score can feel impossible.
And with so much information available online, it can be difficult to know what will actually move the needle.

The Split is a monthly newsletter for ambitious high school rowers and their parents who want practical, expert guidance on becoming faster, performing at a higher level, and navigating the path to college rowing.

Each issue includes:

✅ Actionable training advice to help you improve your erg scores and become a stronger athlete
✅ Recruiting insights to help you understand what college coaches are looking for and how to approach the process
✅ Athlete Spotlights featuring real rowers, their challenges, and the strategies that helped them improve
✅ Coaching lessons and race strategies from years of experience competing at a high school club, rowing D1 in college, and competing for Team USA

Written by Kristin Hedstrom, an Olympian, 8-time U.S. National Team member, and rowing coach, The Split delivers the lessons, strategies, and insights that help athletes train smarter and make meaningful progress.

Whether you're chasing a faster 2k, aiming to earn a spot on a college roster, or simply looking to get the most out of your rowing experience, The Split will give you the tools and perspective to move forward.

Join The Split

Expert coaching insights to help high school rowers pull faster erg scores, make better boats, and get recruited to row in college.

Rowing has been a defining part of my life for more than 25 years, first as an athlete and Olympian, and now a coach. Across my 15-year competitive career, I raced at the 2012 Olympic Games, seven World Championships, and earned six international medals for Team USA.

But I wasn’t always a standout athlete. I learned that massive progress is possible when you combine intentional training with consistency, discipline, excellent technique, the right mindset, and a clear strategy. That approach took me from a high school rower trying to figure it out to breaking 2k records, winning national championships, and competing at the highest level of the sport.

Since 2013, I’ve used what I learned to help high school rowers do the same: get faster, become better athletes, and navigate the college recruiting process with a clear understanding of what matters and when.

My goal is to help high school rowers discover what they’re capable of, reach their potential, and take the right steps to unlock opportunities in rowing, recruiting, and beyond.

i'm here to help you get way faster

Meet your coach