South African LW Mens Single Sculler

"Chris had a huge impact on my rowing journey. When I first started, I hadn’t achieved much in the sport however Chris saw potential in me and helped develop both my physiology and technique. Under his coaching, I went from an unproven athlete to winning university events and making the Student World Championships team.

One of Chris’s greatest strengths was his ability to rally a crew. He brought together a group of underdogs and turned us into serious contenders, competing with the top rowers in the country. That belief and drive he instilled in us stuck with me long after he stopped coaching me. I went on to become one of the top rowers in the country, as well as racing at three World Championships.

Chris’s influence laid the foundation for everything that followed in my career, and I’ll always be grateful for that".

Australian Para Olympian

"While rowing at Sydney University Boat Club, Chris played a crucial role in my development as an athlete.Under his guidance, I was selected to represent Australia at three World Championships as well as the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games. Chris carefully designed my training program to ensure I could effectively balance the demands of training alongside the commitments of my full-time job. His training methods were structured and adaptive, focusing on both physical conditioning and technical skill. His support and expertise were key factors in my athletic achievements during this period".

Head Coach Newcastle Grammar School Australia

"Chris was the Director of Rowing at SUBC while I coached there between 2018 & 2022. During his tenure, Chris’ passion to grow and develop athletes was palpable and inspired many to join the club and continue rowing after school.

As a coach Chris carefully treads the line between hard on-water training and keeping a relaxed environment for the athletes. He is driven by seeing the best in his athletes and always puts their best interests and the centre of his focus. Chris has a great feel for what his athletes need and is content to keep things simple yet highly effective, evident by the results he has consistently gotten over the past two decades. Personally, Chris has helped shape my coaching philosophy and strategic planning around schools and clubs I’ve worked in. His eye for club structure and sustainability has enormously influenced the way I think about rowing clubs and how they operate.

Chris is a great mentor to both athletes and coaches and I could not recommend him highly enough to anyone looking to improve their rowing performance".

South African National Team

"Chris Holliday was far more than just a rowing coach to me, he was the foundation of my entire rowing career and a guiding figure in my life. When I started under his coaching, I was a very average schoolboy rower. Through his mentorship, belief, and relentless dedication, he transformed me into an athlete who went on to win the most South African Championships medals in the history of St Andrew's College.

But Chris didn't just stop there, he pushed me to go further, taking me to the international stage and helping me represent South Africa. The impact of his coaching didn’t end when I left school. Thanks to the solid foundation he laid, I was able to continue into U23 and senior level rowing, ultimately putting me in line to pursue Olympic qualification.

Chris was never just about the results or medals. At a boarding school, where being away from home can be challenging, he became a father figure to many of us. He was someone you could trust, confide in, and lean on. His influence went far beyond the water, he shaped my character, work ethic, and belief in myself.

To this day, I credit much of who I am, both in rowing and in life, to Chris Holliday. He was a mentor, a coach, and a man whose legacy lives in every athlete he inspired".

Australian Masters Single Sculler

"When I decided to start rowing again after a 20 year hiatus, I had no idea how far the journey would take me. With Chris, I’ve gone from being in a Learn to Row program to a World Champion in just two years which is something I never would have thought possible.

I don’t respond well to traditional on-water instruction in the moment, I learn better through video analysis and then by feeling the changes in technique myself after our (many!) video analysis sessions. Chris never tried to force a one-size-fits-all method on me; instead, he tailored his approach to match how I process information and learn.

But more than his technical skill, Chris made me believe in my goals. From day one, he was in my corner, backing me with unwavering support. His belief in what I could achieve gave me the confidence to keep pushing.

Although I can see how far I've come, I still feel like the best is yet to come. His energy, humour, and genuine love for the sport have made this journey one of the most rewarding experiences of my life".