Welcome! This blog is not just for my ideas- it's for yours. That's why I started this blog- so we can all share ideas. Please comment on articles if you want to. I hope to generate some discussion on these issues. Tell me what works for you, how you train, what you have learned, etc. Your input is encouraged!
People from all over the world visit this blog. If English isn't your native language, comment in your own language and we can translate it. We want you to feel free to comment, even if your English isn't perfect.
I've been involved in this sport for over 40 years. I've coached World Champions and Olympic Champions. I've even been World Champion in the team event. I've raced c-1, k-1 and c-2. I know the sport has changed over the past 40 years- I've seen it evolve. Whitewater slalom is a fantastic sport and we all love it. That's why we are here- because we love this sport.
Please be respectful in your comments, even if you disagree with someone, keep it civil. I want to encourage disagreements. People inevitably have different ideas. We all want to hear yours.
And have fun paddling! Greetings to all!
It is hard to do strength/speed workouts in the pool (except for English gate) if it is crowded. I like to do stroke drills for the smaller arm muscles -- draws, skulls, reverse strokes, left and right cross-bow in kayak, etc. All of these can be done with no feathering or feathering, and with wide or narrow strokes/draws. Equally important, they can be done with the boat flat, edged toward the paddle side, and edged away from the paddle side. A timing drill is to do four rolls in a row, starting and ending with paddle across the deck. Fun to watch this. Do fast stroke drill for a continuous 30 minutes and see how your muscles hold out. Add cross-bow for flexibility. Jon
Posted by: Jon | 01/07/2014 at 02:09 PM
Hello!
What a wonderful compilation of thoughts and ideas! Thanks for sharing!
As a newbie, I have unlimited amount of questions, but I would start out with questions about equipment: length of paddle (both K1 and C1) and position of seat (K1). What are the principles and rules of thumb on those topics?
For example, in C1, on flat water I feel pretty OK with quite long paddle (150cm, being 178cm tall), but even in very mild wildwater it starts to feel pretty awkward. As a newbie, I'm confused, is it just whitewater that I'm not so used to in C1 that makes it difficult for me or should I in fact be looking for shorter paddle?
Posted by: Erik Saarts | 05/09/2013 at 09:48 AM
Love the photos!
Posted by: Ann | 02/13/2013 at 09:18 PM
Really enjoying the research and commentary --- thank you!
Posted by: John Munnell | 01/14/2013 at 11:27 AM