Coaching

Kirsten (Kirsty) Melin

Kirsty is an experienced and talented sports coach, ex PE teacher and mentor. Her professionalism and enthusiasm is unrivalled and her love of the sport of rowing and her desire to share that passion with others will ensure you have a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Kirsty taught as a PE Teacher for 12 years in the UK and in New Zealand. A competitive runner, swimmer and triathlete, Kirsty has been a member of Lymington ARC competing, coaching and encouraging the Junior and Women’s Squads since 2010.

Relevant qualifications:

  • British Rowing Coach Development Programme; Leading Change Cohort 2025

  • British Rowing Level 2 Club Coach- Jesus College Cambs.

  • Ba (Hons) in Human Movement Studies, Cardiff

  • PGCE in Sec PE, Cardiff

  • RYA Power Boat 2 Cert.

  • RYA VHF/ SRC Licence Cert.

  • RYA First Aid

  • RYA Sea Survival

  • RYA Essential Navigation and Seamanship

  • Qualified Swim Teacher and Swim Coach

  • UK Sport Safeguarding Cert.

  • British Rowing Coach Development 2025

kirsty@rowingadventures.co.uk

Originally a competitive swimmer, triathlete and a PE Teacher in both UK and NZ, in more recent years, I found and fell in love with rowing. I blame/ thank Heather Stanning, an ex pupil of mine at Durlston Court Prep. School.

I am a volunteer coach and committee member at Lymington Amateur Rowing Club, helping support the club’s successful development from c.60 to c.180 members and have been the lead for all New Members and the Recreational Rowing programme since 2019. In 2025, our club won the British Rowing’s Club of the Year Award.

I am still an active competitor in river, coastal rowing and more recently in Offshore, Quad Beach Sprints and Ocean rowing events, with a love for supporting and enthusing others to enjoy the same.

All the highlights of this year and plans for 2026 are outlined in my 2025 BLOG.

My professional development plans for 2026 lean into EXPLORING. I will spend the winter; February, March and April, working with Row Tours NZ, exploring the Abel Tasman National Park, the Marlborough Sounds and the Southern Glacial Lakes. On my return in May, I will divide my time between the Learn to Row programme in Lymington, The Coastal Rowing Centre, Studland and supporting Row Tours UK with their growing Touring and Endurance challenge events programme.

I’d say, I have the perfect job.