What: Intermediate/advanced kayak course
Where: Mersey River (if water is available), otherwise we may utilise Forth slalom site and nearby rivers.
When: 9-11 August
Who: The course is aimed at people who are already comfortable on grade 3 white water and would like to improve their technical skills
Why: Because we all want to be better paddlers!
Many paddlers think the best way to improve their paddling skills is by paddling progressively harder white water. This often reinforces bad habits which can lead to negative consequences. The best way to up skill is to take a step back and get the fundamentals right. Too often we see paddlers kayaking grade 4 rivers with poor technique. This course aims to improve paddling skills by revising the fundamental basics on easier whitewater so you can focus on core technique. We will be mainly working on grade 2/3 white water with slalom gates to work on precision and boat control and decisiveness. Even get back on flatwater to work on improving your strokes and its power. The course aims to make you minimise your energy output but maximise your chance of success, all whilst looking more stylish and set you on your way to becoming a grade 4 paddler.
During the course we will aim to cover the following skills and more:
-Forward paddling with purpose and efficiency
-Effective use of bow rudders
-Setting up correctly for a sequence of moves
-Keeping the boat running smoothly through the rapids
-S turns through eddies
-Edging the boat
-Using the river features to achieve your goals
-Boofing and power strokes
-Reading the micro features
-Group safety and awareness
-Stroke placement and timing (minimising strokes)
-Catching micro eddies
-Stern squirting for snappy turns
Instructing on the course will be Dave Borojevic (former Australian slalom team representative and current slalom coach) and Dan Hall (multiple times medalist at wildwater kayaking World Cup races and current Australian extreme kayak winner). Between these two coaches we should be able to get you zipping around a technical river with increased style and speed! Mark Oates and/or Justin Boocock may also come along to assist depending on enrollment numbers.
The course will take a more wholistic approach to paddling. It's one thing to get the technique sorted but things like posture and power can also be developed off the water and out of the boat. We have invited Pilates Instructor and True Pilates Sydney Pilates Studio owner Yung Ok Yoo to come along. Yung Ok is also a paddler and understands the the benefits and importance of core strength and flexibility specifically related to kayaking. Yung Ok assisted on the course last year and her Pilates sessions were definitely one of the highlights of the course. Yung Ok will instruct a 40 minute Pilates strength and conditioning session in the mornings to improve posture and strength. In the evenings she will introduce us to some useful stretches after a busy day of paddling to get us ready for the next day of training on the water.
The locations and sessions during the course may change from day to day depending on how the group is progressing and what the weather and conditions dictate. Therefore please be advised that we will not be rigid in our forward planning but will make decisions on a day to day basis throughout the course. You need to come to this course with a flexible attitude!
What to bring:
-Kayak (preferably a half slice or a boat with good edges)
-All kayaking and safety gear (bear in mind it will be August and it may be cold)
-Camping gear (tent, stove, sleeping gear, etc. We will aim to stay in accommodation at Arm Camp near the Mersey River but participants should come prefared for a change in venue which may mean that we need to camp)
-All food for the duration of the three days
-Plenty of warm clothes!
-Thermos
-A fun and open attitude!
If you are unsure of whether your skill level is suitable to attend this course please contact Paddle Tas to ask. We have a flexible attitude and love to help people to become better paddlers so give us a call if you are unsure
**UPDATE** unfortunately Dave Borojevic is unable to attend due to injury so Mark Oates will be taking his place, his capabilities with Video analysis and his wealth of teaching and paddling experience are something you should be excited about.
Duration: 3 days
Cost: $525 members / $675 non-members
Dates 9 -11 August 2024
For further enquiries contact our education officer on education.tas@paddle.org.au
Please note due to the nature of water availability in Tasmania, locations cannot be guaranteed. We appreciate your understanding on this.
