On The Water

Speed training is an essential component of performance in many racing sports but it is often butchered. Ideas, methods and personal opinions of training schemes and speed training methods that are not supported by science or consistent results are still far too common. I thought it may be fun to outline below a few myths related to endurance and speed-endurance in sports including kayaking and how these may actually block you from progressing and getting faster. Myth 1 : Higher average speed at training days or races means you are getting faster Being able to generate faster speeds for a longer time may increase your average speed or even top-end speed on a training day or during a race. Observing such metrics is not a bad idea, however, these should be put in the right context and within a carefully outlined training plan. They should be part of monitoring progress in the long haul and not be indicative of performance (either personal or boat-specific) during random training days or...

For most of us, who did not grow up swimming, technique is the key to faster swimming times in the future. I learned to approach swimming with a long-term perspective, work systematically and be patient! I had been swimming a little for some years but I really started swimming three years ago. This is a picture from a swimming analysis video after my first competitive year. What do you see? My elbow enters the water first, my whole body is literally submerged in the water, and I am dragging myself with zero body rotation. BAD. This is a similar picture from a swimming analysis video today, two years later. Things that have changed: More body rotation, almost no elbow drop in the entry and pull stroke phase and high elbow in the recovery phase. Not good yet but certainly BETTER. Lots of things helped me improve. Things that have worked for me may not work for you but here are the four must-dos that improved my swimming technique: 1. LOTS of kick-sets!!! Especially s...