Results speak for themselves!
British Ski Erg Records
World Ski Erg Records
What Sven Wittchen has to say...
James Hudson
The sessions and planning are for you and no one else. John sees your strengths and fortifies them, but most importantly the programming is realistic for an everyday athlete alongside work and family life. Meaning the targets push you on but are attainable and the consistent feedback guides you week on week to build towards personal bests. I’ve seen fantastic results by committing to the program and working with JD over the last year.
Richard Wood
"I came to JD in 2021 looking to improve my rowing fitness and help me break sub 7 mins. In 2 weeks of training I went from 7:05 to 6:56. Then 5 months later to sub 6:30 from using his training plans. His plans are easy to follow yet challenging and fun! Each session felt progressive as the targets were personally set for me based on my physical strengths/weaknesses. I am so thankful for all the support JD has given me with my training and passing on his rowing knowledge to me"
Niall O'Donnchu
I contacted JD in March 2022. My goals were simple. Take me to sub 7 for the 2km;
and help me to win national medals and compete well within my age group internationally.
Unlike my goals, the challenge for JD was not simple. My PB for 2K was 7:14 and I was relatively new to indoor rowing, knowing next to nothing about the sport and even less about the type and amount of training it would take.
In a matter of weeks, I was hitting middle and long distance PBs and earning medals in virtual competitions. At our national competitions the following November I podiumed in both the 1000m and the 500m and finished fifth in the 2Km - three races; one day; all PBs.
Under JD’s guidance, I scored 60 C2 ranking PBs in less than a two years. I won numerous national metals, broke the magical seven minutes for the 2km, broke a national age group half marathon record and made it to a world finals - finishing 11th in the 500m and 8 in the European version.
There is simply no other coach, in my experience, in JD’s class. He knows the numbers; he understands individual strengths and weaknesses; he knows how to motivate and boy does he get results! An indoor rowing genius.
Kirstie Geary
I worked with John last year and he really maximised my potential and we achieved 5 British records! He coached me to my first indoor rowing competition where I won silver in the 2km and gold in the 500m. I highly recommend John if you’re looking to improve your rowing as he knows exactly how to push you get the results!
Rachael Mcilwraith
I worked with JD specifically for about 4 months and in that time I improved massively. The guy knows his numbers inside out. He personalises plans accordingly to current abilities and splits get progressively more difficult in line with the improvements! I went from a 7:35 2km to 7.11.7 within 3 months! Honestly such a great coach and great guy! 10/10 would recommend
Charles French
I started training with JD in December 2023, as a complete novice with some natural power I had a 500m time of 1:25. Fast forward to today, and he’s helped me achieve remarkable milestones—taking me to 8th in the world for my age group with a 1:18.6 and recently pushing me to a PB of 1:17.3. JD also got me under 3 minutes for the 1k.
What was once a 7:40 2km is now a 6:24.2! I’m aiming for sub-6:20 at the Australian Indoor Rowing Championships in October, and under JD’s stewardship , I’m confident I’ll get there.
What sets JD apart is his mastery of the numbers. He knows my metrics better than I do, and his meticulous attention to detail has been what has made the difference . His dedication is unmatched—whether it's through his thoughtful feedback, motivational videos, or supportive messages, he’s always pushing me to improve. JD cares about the data and the numbers, but he cares more about his athletes.
If you're experienced or new to indoor rowing, there’s only one coach worth talking to—JD. His expertise and passion for the sport are second to none, with multiple world records himself its a privilege to work under someone so accomplished and experienced.