ThePaddlerUK 20
By Dave Rossetter –paddlesport instruct
What do you do
Whether you are a coach, leader or just paddle for the sheer enjoyment the
need to improve and hone our skills is always there. Whether it’s bigger surf
waves, rocky coastlines, longer distances or harder grade of water the need to
test and challenge our existing skills is a constant draw.
Coaches are always looking for ways to test those that they are coaching, to ensure that the skill
has been grooved and learnt. Leaders also struggle with the dilemma of when to lead their
paddlers into that more committed environment.
This short article looks at some of the ways that we can go about improving our skill.The skill
could be a technique or tactical ability but could also be the skill as a leader or coach.The
content will be applicable to each of the roles and will stand as a reference for coaches and coach
educators as well as the paddler who is looking to push the grade of water they are on.
Options
Structure of practice
There are a differing ways in which we can go about our
play/practice time.There are plenty of times when you
see the same paddlers use the same bit of water and do
the same moves constantly.While this familiarity breeds
some confidence and sense of satisfaction of being able
to reproduce certain moves it can let us down when we
head off to somewhere new.
Don’t get me wrong, this reproduction of moves does
lend itself to improving the muscle memory and
attaining new knowledge. However, paddling takes us
to new and exciting places where we our skills and
knowledge are put to the test. As well as this massed
practice we should be compelled to add variety to our
practice.This variety sees us challenge our skills and
helps when we find ourselves on the different side of
the boat, different angle of wave or wind. By looking to
achieve our favourite moves in differing ways sets us
up well for when things don’t go to plan. Our paddling
becomes adaptable and flexible.We have built up
differing ways to achieve the same outcome.
Rolling is a prime example. How many can roll their
kayak on one side 80-100% of time where you can
get back up with the paddle starting in many different
positions and the other side 50% if you are having a
lucky day?
We practice and perfect on our favoured side until
the skill has become so strong and autonomous that
our other side is severely lacking.You then have a
challenge in your paddling where what happens in the
gorge, when you can’t get the paddle to your
preferred side? Are you having a lucky day or not?
Surely it would be better to be in a position with
knowledge that you are strong on both sides.
The final part for us here to think about would be
how we go about distributing our practice. Paddling
in any form of water and especially moderate /
advanced conditions requires the constant recalling
of different strokes, skills and tactics to achieve the
desired outcome. Putting yourself in a position where
you have to use a skill for a short period of time then
a different skill before having to use the original skill
again forces the speed at which you can recall the
skills. This is critical in more advanced conditions
where we are constantly switching between skills to
achieve a successful outcome.