Weekly News and Update: May 21-27, 2007

Lifesavers Practice #5- A Review

The numbers were scarce this eveening, but we still managed to have a productive session on the water. 8 brave participants listened to me rant on about technique and then took each other on for a few vicious rounds of tug-of-war.

Technically, everyone made some big improvements tonight. For the newer people, the gains were significant and the fine tuning for the veterans is coming along nicely.


Please remember, if you haven't already given me your t-shirt size, to e-mail me and let me know by tomorrow (Friday). I need to put in the order so they come in time.

See you all Tuesday.




May 24, 2007

Lifesavers Practice #5

As I mentioned below, we will be doing 250's tonight. This is what the practice looks like:

- technical review (10 minutes)
- 2x2 paddling
- timing drills (hit and glide, possibly a short pyramid with strokes.)
- 2-3 practice starts
- 5x 250m at RACE PACE. They will most likely all be with starts and I am hoping the Lachine competitive crew joins us for this workout.


Here are a few administrative things, to help Sham out:
- we need to recruit some more men to the team (we are lacking a few!)
- everyone needs give me a t-shirt size by tonight if they haven't already. I am putting the order in for the t-shirts tomorrow and we need numbers to make sure everything arrives on time.
- payment: please bring Sham any money that is still owed as soon as possible.


It's beautiful out everyone, let's shoot for a great turnout! See you all tonight.

May 23, 2007

Lifesavers Practice #4- A Review

Another solid practice, everyone. I still can't figure out how we spent so long on the water and the best part came in the last 2 minutes with your energetic pick-up! I hope the practice achieved its objective, that is, some technical focus with a bit of work at race pace.

Technically, again, we are making improvements. The next time we have a nice, calm night we will work on technique again. Don't forget, anyone who needs any extra pointers, don't be afraid to ask. I don't mind spending a few minutes on the dock after practice.

For the t-shirts, if you didn't write down your size last night, please e-mail me or let me know at Thursday's practice. We have to order by Friday to ensure they arrive before the Lachine festival.

Again, good work and see you all Thursday.

Stormriders Practice #4- A Review

Good work last night everyone. I hope everyone was tired! The boat was running very smoothly through the 250's which means for the most part, everyone was in stroke. Next practice we will go back to some technical fundamentals and keep working at race pace a bit to prepare for Lachine.

In terms of technique, everyone has improved significantly. But, there are still some points that need perfecting. If anyone needs a few extra pointers, please arrive a few minutes early and we can do some work on the dock.

Remember, please e-mail me your t-shirt sizes. We want to get the order in by this Friday to make sure everything arrives in time for the Lachine festival.

So, good work and I hope my poor French didn't confuse things! See you all next week.

May 21, 2007

I hope everyone, from all the teams, had a nice long weekend and are ready to get back into paddling this week. The Lachine festival is less than 3 weeks away, so it's time to get things moving! The weather this week looks great, so no excuse not to make it to practice!

Stormriders Practice #4

We will continue to work on technique, but the intervals are getting tougher this week. This is the practice:

- technical review (10-15 minutes)
- 2x2 paddling
- 5 x 250m at race pace (intervals 1, 3, 5 without start, 2 and 4 with start.)

Tomorrow night I will have the sample t-shirts and will bring them to practice. Please try to arrive by 6:40pm so we can try everything on BEFORE going on the water. I have another crew at 8pm and won't be able to do anything after our practice is over.

Thanks and see you at practice!

Lifesavers Practice #4

We have a little more time on the water before the Lachine festival, but I want to start working on some harder intervals. We will be doing the same practice as the Stormriders on Thursday evening to get used to the race distances.

Practice #4 is the following:

- technical review (10-15 minutes)
- 2x2 paddling
- 2 x (3', 1' , 3', 1') with 1' rest between pieces and 5' between sets. The 3' pieces will be at a long, steady pace. The 1' pieces will be at race pace.

Concerning the t-shirts, we will try on the samples AFTER practice. I will be on the water until 8pm with the Stormriders.

Thanks and see you all at practice!