training

World Ocean Racing Champion (and biokineticist) Hayley Nixon just released a video showing some excellent stretching techniques for paddlers.  As a Master-age paddler I've been more and more aware that I should be taking more care to do these pre-paddle preparations, so this comes at a great time for me - but everyone, even younger paddlers can use these techniques to avoid injury and to improve their strength and suppleness.

Sean Rice (2013 ICF Ocean Racing World Champion, 2017 Molokai Challenge Champion plus a host of other titles) of PaddleLife and Huksu Coaching recently re-published these tips for improving your surfski paddling. As I read through them I found I had a whole lot of questions, so I called Sean at his office in London and he kindly chatted through them with me.

“CAUTION – EXTRA GEEKY PADDLE POST,” read the introduction to Roei’s posts on Facebook. Roei is a geek – but he’s also been an Olympic grade paddler, a professional coach and is now sales director for Motionize, the world’s first affordable paddle tracking system. The posts caused plenty of interest so I’ve consolidated them and publish them here with Roei’s kind permission.

[Editor: can't get enough of this - core strength is absolutely key to paddling fitness.  Whitewater Professional Kim Russell kindly let us re-publish this article she posted on the Wavesport site.  Not only that, but she's written some great stuff about rotator cuff injury recovery and general sholder strengthening...  and those will be posted here shortly too.  Thanks Kim!]

The art of mastering surfski paddling is in learning to balance. The ocean is never flat and even on the calmest days there are bumps out at sea or waves breaking on the shore.  Balance is absolutely crucial to your performance, whether you’re a novice or a pro.

Many of us start paddling without much idea of correct stroke technique.  If we're lucky, more experienced paddling buddies throw us a few pointers, but for most it's a case of try it and see.

Surfski.info has several surf ski schools listed in our links, but they're few and far between!   So how do you get expert advice on your stroke if you live far away from the experts?

All good things are built from a solid base, and this is no truer than in our world of canoeing. The basics of the forward stroke are the most important part of a good technique because all the other elements fall easily into place after this. And a good technique not only allows you to paddle farther and faster with less effort, but makes you safer in the water and prevents injuries.

One of the single toughest physical events anywhere in the world is approaching - the longest, most gruelling surfski race anywhere. You guessed it, the Surf Ski Challenge, Port Elizabeth to East London. It's nothing but pure hardcore racing over four days between two famous coastal cities: 244km's over one of the world's most treacherous coastlines.

In this follow-up to his first article Mark Lewin shares his thoughts on training - specifically for non-elite paddlers.

There should be a different approach to getting fit if the main event you are training for is a one day or a multi day event. (Scottburgh to Brighton), as opposed to a 4 day event (PE to East London).