Stephan Bon

Rowing since 1987

Stephan has been rowing since 1987. In the 1990s he rowed at elite level, nationally and internationally: several World Cup races, including the final of the Rotsee Regatta in Lucerne (M4+), twice on the podium at the FISU World Championships in Poznań (M4- and M8+), and a final at Henley (M4+).

From mid-pack to the top: ten years at the World Rowing Masters Regatta

At an international masters event like the World Rowing Masters Regatta (WRMR), roughly five levels can be distinguished:

• 1
  wins twice or more, often the fastest in the whole field
• 2
  wins occasionally (1–2 times) or finishes a close second (1–4 seconds)
• 3
  just short of the front, a few seconds behind the top two
• 4
  broad mid-pack, typically 10–20 seconds behind the winner
• 5
  shows up to compete too, but often finds out that racing at the front is quite a challenge — the more realistic rowers know they're mainly there because it's simply fun

Moving from mid-pack to the top took about ten years — and it didn't happen by itself. The turning point coincided with switching to RP3 in 2017/2018: from then on he trained and coached with data, which eventually grew into the RP3 Academy and the approach behind these courses.

After reaching ‘tier 1’ in Banyoles 2025, with four wins, 2026 brought success at the German Championships (MF4-) and at the EuroMasters — across several boats (MD4-, ME4-, MF4-, ME8+, MF8+ and ME4+), most of them in the fastest time. Good preparation for Bled 2026, and a clear confirmation of the tier-1 status. “Practice what you preach” has paid off.

From data to Beat Your Best

He has worked with data in rowing for more than ten years: on-water sessions logged with Rowing in Motion and later Strava & Polar, every ergometer session logged too. After switching from Concept2 to RP3, he worked at RP3 Rowing for more than two years, where he helped develop the RP3 Portal, set up the RP3 Academy, and organised the first Dutch indoor rowing championships (NKIR) on RP3.

From that experience — the data-driven training approach — he built Beat Your Best, an app that turns rowing data into coaching and technical insights. He is head coach at Roeivereniging De Hoop — the largest rowing club in the Netherlands — where he coaches both national top crews and beginning or less experienced rowers. In this approach he combines his own competitive experience with insights from coaching practice and research (including BioRow) and collaboration (through RP3) with the Amsterdam Institute of Sport Science (AISS).

This approach is for juniors, seniors and masters — and above all it gives the large group of older rowers the chance to get better themselves with a proven approach and to win (international) races!

There is plenty on offer from different coaches. All of it valid! Everyone is free to choose what they want to do: this approach works — for Stephan himself and his crewmates, the fastest in the D, E and F field. Straight from practice. Want to join? Use Beat Your Best and take one of the courses! Good luck, and see you on the water!