Performance Paddling Clinics
"These personalized sessions are not 'first time' courses,
but designed to take your existing paddling and board handling
skills one step further...read on."
Testimonials
'The way you explain things is really clear, precise and at the same time fun. I felt an immediate positive effect on my paddling and i can't wait to put some more time in on the water. It is far more encouraging knowing that all the work i put into my paddling from now on is done with good technique. Cheers again mate. Matt.'
'Thanks A LOT, fantastic stuff. I'm training for the Devizes-Westminster Canoe Race at the moment - and so much of what you say completely ties in with the technique work that we've been doing in the K2 - which is pleasing as I guess that there will be a good cross-over when my focus shifts to SUP post April 2nd. All the best. Mike'
'I can picture most of what you say, but transferring that into the real world & actually doing it will be hard. Like most technique stuff probably best to pick a couple of parts of the process & focus on those first, i.e. stance & paddle entry, get them nailed then focus on the power part of stroke etc. Looking forward to saturday!'
'Thanks for the great coaching yesterday. A lot of new paddle movement throughout the body. I am feeling it more in the glute medius & my QL or lower lats most, not in the hip flexors so not sure if i had the right technnique. I definitely felt way more efficient through the water, all cool stuff. Thanks Again, Steve'
'It was great to meet you, Mandy and the rest of the team on saturday. I was really pleased to meet a group of people who share my enthusiasm for stand up paddle boarding! As well as enjoying SUP, i am also doing a PhD in Exercise Physiology at Swansea University and have a background in performance analysis and biomechanical assessment. The first thing i did when i decided to start taking the racing seriously was to do a literature search for article on technique, physiological assesment, training strategies and so on for stand up paddle boarding. As I'm sure you already know, I found nothing until i realised the parrallels between SUP and OC racing/paddleing. After reading some good articles on pacing, paddler body composition, and paddle technique, I realised that the "S. West, The paddler's guide to outrigger canoeing, Batini Books & KC Publishing, Australia (2006)" reference which keeps popping up, is your book! I would very much like to get a copy and have a read so i can get a handle of the in's and out's of the sport. I think that there maybe considerable scope for publication of SUP based research articles in scientific journals.
Best Regards, Rich Morton'
'I followed you back down river Saturday and you paddle stroke is a work of art! I'm very new to SUP and would really value any advice on technique as i know that so much of the speed and ability to cover long distance will come down to technique. Do you know of any good resources to read the theory & ideally see some video footage of paddle technique online? I'd appreciate your input & look forward to chatting at the next event. Cheers Pete'
'I just wanted to say thank you so much for the great paddle advice yesterday. I was quite blown away with how effective these principals are. The advice you put on the forum is fantastic but I tend to learn better visually and yesterday just made your forum advise click into place. John was telling Matt and I about your past and what you have done for paddling and it's incredible. The team are privileged to have someone like yourself dedicating their time to us. I hope everyone in the team appreciates what your doing and takes all your great info 'on board' - literally! I'm sure they will and are, as everyone was super stoked about what they had learnt yesterday. Thanks again Steve and see you at the next gathering. Nick'
'Many thanks for yesterday, as always a good mixture of theory and practice, and as ever I drove home absolutely buzzing but totally knackered, I love it! Nick'
'Yep, great stuff as usual Steve. Things are starting to feel good now, what a difference these sessions have made. Onwards and upwards...Frenchy'
'Adding to the others thanks I have to say, I learnt so much. The interval training was great ( especially when I didn't fall in ) and will will be a big part of my training now. A big thanks also to Mandy for helping my wife with some great tips and coaching. Colin'
'Just wanted to add my bit, it was great to paddle with you all, and put a few faces to names. Its much easier to paddle with others and nice to know we are all questioning similar issues. Thanks a lot to Steve, listening to you has made me re evaluate my paddling position, I felt that my paddle stroke was stronger as a result, its just time to invest in a better paddle now! I have also changed the fin on my Pin it has made the board much easier to keep on a straight line, so it was a valuable days training. Looking forward to the next one. Carl'
Steve West and Mandy West's Performance Paddling Clinics...
'...provide one on one, customised performance orientated technical SUP sessions, centred on the improvement of both your board and paddle skills, which will result in significant performance gains and enjoyment of paddling.'
Mandy proudly taking delivery of her new Starboard Surf Race 12'6" Pic by Surfer Den
2010 SESSIONS
April 11th 2010 Royal Canoe Club London Outrigger Canoeing Clinic A 'Master Class' with Steve West Sunday , by invitation by Sue Hornby, Development Officer for the British Canoe Union, covering paddling techniques, steering, rigging. View images.
Sunday April 18th 2010 Blue Chip River Thames SUP Clinic View images.
'Many thanks for a fabulous day last Sunday, it certainly set me and Wills on the right track with regards to technique and really tuned the mind into the lifestyle and ethos of being out in the open sea, paddle in hand.' Nick Philbedge
Friday 11th June Hayling Island. 1:1 Session with Karl Hobbs Hedge End Southampton.
'Steve started with some shore based theory which was further underpinned once out on the wet stuff. The balance was spot on. As my grasp of the technique improved, my muscle fatigue faded and the distance covered increased for the effort expended. Eurekia! Excellent afternoon, hard work was never soooo much fun and rewarding. Off to put into practice what I've learnt.' Karl Hobbs
Saturday 12th June Royal CC London
Royal CC Member Only An introductory session for outrigger canoe paddlers and dragonboaters.
Brian from Blue Chip provided the gear for the day and Jay Manning was along to assist. Introducing experienced canoe and kayak paddlers to SUP was a buzz being that they already embrace paddling as part of their lifestyle and understand many of the biomechanical principles of paddling. In attendance also, Sue Hornby the acting British Canoe Union Development Officer and husband Johh Griffith, currently head coach of the Iran Dragon Boat Team preparing for the SE Asia Games. The feedback was fantastic, with all really enjoying the challenge of experiencing and learning another paddle sport!
Royal Canoe Club London - first time introduction to SUP
Sunday 13th June Brighton Watersports
A "Performance Paddling" workshop, the foundation of which will be based upon Stroke Analysis and Stroke Correction which will aim to improve paddlers; distance covered for less effort through improved bio-mechanical efficiency, theory of paddling technique, improved utilisation of core-strength, board control and trim, paddle dynamics - form, function and optimum lengths, injury prevention, steering skills whilst under-way, introduction to a variety of stroke types, long, short, deep, shallow, how to vary stroke rates and when to use them (strokes per minute)
Arranged via Adam from Brighton Watersports and staged on Brighton's main Beach, thousands of beach goers viewed the goings on during the day as we went through various dry land sessions and two on water paddles. It's was a challenge coaching in a busy environment but the atmosphere was fantastic! Introducing a very different paddling technique and dispelling some of the myths proved an eye opener for Adam and the two Dave's who assist in SUP coaching at the centre which we hope will help them throughout the busy summer months ahead. Fantastic also to have four ladies in attendance! It's so important to stress that this a sport for all. Look out for further SUP workshops and clinics here in the coming months.
Brighton Beach
'Women Only' Sessions - With Mandy
In order to encourage and nurture women participants skill levels, Mandy offers 'Women Only' sessions in an effort to cater your needs and provide a fuller better understanding and appreciation of the sport. These sessions are guaranteed to boost your confidence levels and provide you with appropriate mentoring and teaching strategies aimed at improving your paddling and board handling skills.
Sessions
With Steve
Catering predominantly for paddlers wanting to improve their paddling performance and skill levels via detailed analysis of your existing paddling skill levels, breaking this down in order to refine and improve your performance. These sessions are guaranteed to improve your paddling and board handling skills and your knowledge of paddle design, paddling technique and much more.
Improvements can be
expected with regards to:
average board speed, mileage for less effort, injury prevention, utilisation of core-strength, board control and trim, bio-mechanical efficiency, paddle / paddler relationship, understanding the variance between paddle shapes and varying blade areas, the importance of optimum paddle length and how to calculate what this is for you, knowledge of the variety of stroke types whether long, short, deep, shallow, varying stroke rates and when to use them (strokes per minute), realizing the importance of the paddle as the most important item of SUP equipment, steering skills whilst under-way, how to train and for what, understanding of issues such as 'interaction', 'cavitation' and 'lift' and how this relates to SUP, race tactics and preparation, hydration methods and use of electrolyte drinks and carbo-shots and much more...resulting in greater enjoyment and validation of stand up paddleboardings technical merits, nurturing improved skills, confidence and long term commitment to the sport, thus transforming your relationship with SUP into a life-long 'Lifestyle Sport'.
