We Took the Oar Board to Dragons’ Den — Here’s What I Learned About Pressure, Purpose, and Performing When It Counts

When you’ve rowed an Olympic final, crossed an ocean, and capsized in the Bermuda Triangle, you’d think stepping onto the Dragons’ Den stage would feel easy.
It wasn’t.

In fact, standing under those studio lights with a rowing blade in my hand, pitching the Oar Board alongside my long-time friends Harold Aune and Diana Lesieur, I felt the familiar cocktail of adrenaline, excitement, and “don’t screw this up, Kreek.”

And yes — I did argue with a Dragon. And no — I don’t regret it.

This appearance wasn’t just a TV moment. It was a reminder of the core principles I teach in Values Driven Achievement: clarity, preparation, purpose, and the ability to row straight when the water gets choppy.

Why I Said Yes to Dragons’ Den

The Oar Board is one of those innovations that makes you say, “Why didn’t this exist sooner?”
It turns a stand-up paddleboard into a fast, stable, portable rowing machine. It makes rowing accessible for anyone — not just people like me with freakishly long femurs and an unhealthy addiction to early mornings.

I’ve used the Oar Board for fitness, coaching, adventure, and even family bonding (when my kids let me). It democratizes a sport that changed my life.

Dragons’ Den was a chance to share that mission on national television — and test whether the Dragons shared the vision.

Here’s What You Didn’t See on Camera

1. The Dragons were fun, curious, and sharp.
   They asked the right questions. They challenged assumptions. And they appreciated the difference between a vanity product and a values-driven one.
2. I had to prove I was more than “the Olympian sidekick.”
   When I revealed I’d won Olympic gold, I got a few raised eyebrows. But credibility isn’t enough — execution and commercial discipline matter.
3. Pressure makes you honest.
   When a Dragon pokes a hole in your plan, you can bluff… or you can breathe, stay grounded, and respond with data, purpose, and experience.
   I chose honesty — and one spirited debate.

Watch the dragon's den pitch here.

The Leadership Lessons Behind the Pitch

Bringing the Oar Board onto Dragons’ Den wasn’t just a business play — it was a test of the same principles I coach executives, entrepreneurs, and teams on every day.

1. Pressure reveals your preparation

On the water, you can’t fake fitness.
In business, you can’t fake readiness.

Dragging a rowing unit into a TV studio is one thing. Defending a strategy in front of five investors is another. Preparation is everything.

2. Purpose gives you courage

The Oar Board isn’t a gimmick.
It gets people outside. Moving their bodies. Connecting with water. Building health.
That purpose made it easy to stand tall, even when the questions got pointed.

3. Story matters

Whether you’re pitching Dragons or pitching clients, you need a narrative that connects:

A strong story cuts through noise. Every time.

4. Arguments aren't failures — they’re alignment tools

Debate clarifies.
Conflict, handled well, sharpens strategy.

Plus, if you’ve trained in a rowing boat where eight Type-A athletes scream at each other at 38 strokes per minute, a Dragon is manageable.

Why This Moment Matters for Values Driven Achievement

Values Driven Achievement is built on one core idea:
When your values drive your actions, you achieve at a higher level — sustainably.

The Oar Board pitch was a perfect case study in that philosophy.

It proved — again — that aligned values aren’t fluffy. They’re competitive advantages.

Final Stroke: What You Can Take From This

You don’t have to pitch on Dragons’ Den to learn from this experience.
Here’s the takeaway:

That’s Values Driven Achievement.
That’s Oar Board.
And yes — that’s how you argue with a Dragon.

If you want the behind-the-scenes story, strategy breakdown, or leadership lessons from the pitch, let me know — I’ve got plenty.

–––––

Adam Kreek and his team are on a mission to positively impact organizational cultures and leaders who make things happen.

He authored the bestselling business book, The Responsibility Ethic: 12 Strategies Exceptional People Use to Do the Work and Make Success Happen. 

Want to increase your leadership achievement? Learn more about Kreek’s coaching here.

Want to book a keynote that leaves a lasting impact? Learn more about Kreek’s live event service here.