Training
Traditionally, outrigger clubs offer training in squads. ESOCCI follows suit, with separate ladies and mens squads scheduled both during the week and on the weekend. This coming season we are looking at how we cope with careers, family, early and cold mornings whilst keeping paddlers on the water: race fit and enthusiastic.
We also like to do off-water squad and club activities such as fitness sessions involving the whole club with kettle bell work, sprints in the OC6 craft with mixed crews and beach sprinting. Other activites such as squad soft sand training and swim squads have also proven helpful to paddlers. Fun fitness days involving dragon boats, outriggers and standup paddling followed by a bring and share picnic have also proven to be popular, hard work and heaps of fun.
Can't make a squad session with your regular coach? Keep yourself on the water by attending alternate sessions! Call or email a coach today to find out how we can help you stay on the water.
MEN'S SQUAD: Contact Glen on 0418 731 317 or Glen@aisle5.com.au
| Mid-Week | Weekday | Weekend Longer Session |
| Wednesday 6.15pm on water 6.30pm | Friday 5.00am on water 5.15am | Sunday 7.15am on water 7.30am |
WOMEN'S SQUAD: Contact
| Mid-Week | Mid-Week | Weekend Longer Session |
| Tuesday 5.15am | Thursday 5.15am | Saturday 7.30am |
Novice paddlers should aim for at least 2 sessions a week initally. Our aim with all novice paddlers is to get out on the water and to improve fitness, strength and technique - so attend any session in preference to missing out. Best paddling results are from a minimum of 3 sessions a week.
Once a novice paddler has achieved fitness and technique that will blend into an open squad, they can move into the open squads. Your coaches main goal is to get you into an open squad safely and quickly - so keep chatting with them so that you can progress as soon as possible.
SQUAD BOOKINGS:
At the start of each week - the week squad sessions and squad information is emailed to paddlers so that they can "book" the sessions they plan to attend. This helps us plan how many steerers we need, how many paddlers to prepare for, and what sort of session we need to present (within our training and racing calendar).
By "booking" your spots - it helps to keep you motivated and regular. It is harder to not turn up, or to cancel when you know someone is expecting you - similar to when you have to cancel a PT session!
However, we all lead busy lives and Paddling is only one aspect within a whole entity - so if you sleep in, can't come, cancel or just forget to come - it is ok, and there is no pressure. We are happy to see you when you come, and we "understand' when you can't.
ALWAYS AIM TO ARRIVE 10 MINUTES PRIOR TO START TIME LISTED. LISTED START TIMES ARE ACTUALLY "ON THE WATER BY" TIMES.
WINTER PROGRAM:
Once the really cold weather sets in, we will utilise this time to get paddlers off the water and in to squad sessions using resistance, run/walking and swimming. The aim of these sessions is to increase strength and explosive power for when we are in the boats. We are lucky to have fitness and strength coaching expertise/qualifications in some of our coaches and we will be giving people a break from the cold, wet starts - but working on challenging them in other styles of training.
Even though we will train in a squad environment, we always use an individual approach to each paddler in relation to their cross training and boat work. We take in to consideration individual goals and needs, abilities, experience and even injuries or issues. Whether you are in a boat session or land session, please let your coach know if you have an injury or concern so they can help you to keep the work within the safest range for you. Those attending the Tuesday and Thursday sessions (land sessions) fill in pre-activity forms - similar to what you fill in for a gym program - and once again - if anything changes, remember to let your coach know. We aim to combine your rehab drills in to your resistance work to ensure you keep up the good work, if you have been under a physio fixing any injuries or issues.
COACHING STRATEGY:
Our coaches are encouraged to maintain a safe and fun atmosphere at all times. Current coaching ethics and practise motivates coaches to utilise tools such as positive re-enforcement, comend-recommend-comend in communicating technique correction, "catching people doing the right thing" and to know when they need to stop coaching and let the paddler have the opportunity to work on their corrections, without more information being added to the mix.
Decades ago, yelling, screaming and all sorts of constant, dramatic, over-zealous or "passionate" streams of information/instruction both relevant to the current activity (and seeminly irrelevant) was how many coaches from many sports worked. We now know that this is ineffective and unproductive. We hope that our coaches provide a balanced mix of information, technique, fitness, challenge and fun.
If you have a concern or issue, or would like some clarification on coaching methods, current training schedules, racing calendars or any other element - please email us on info@esocci.com and the relevant person will happily help you with your question, feedback, suggestion or concern.
Feedback: good, bad and ugly is helpful and will guide us to provide a service and product that is great. We love paddling, and we want you to love paddling too!