The advent of Google Docs has made collecting feedback a whole lot easier for the PD coaches. We hope it’s made providing that feedback easier too!
Collecting it is one thing but seeing it used is another…
The advent of Google Docs has made collecting feedback a whole lot easier for the PD coaches. We hope it’s made providing that feedback easier too!
Collecting it is one thing but seeing it used is another. To that end we thought we’d give an update as to where the OC Coaching Team is at with the things you said you’d like improved on at the end of last season.
You can check out the full survey results by logging in and clicking here. Below is a summary of the top few outrigging improvements you asked for as well what we’ve done so far and what we’ve still got in the pipeline.
| What you wanted improved |
What We’ve Done So Far | What We’ve Got Planned |
| Provide more individual paddle technique feedback/stroke correction (including video)
|
– Technique feedback from trials posted in shed and on web. – Trials technique feedback reinforced to individuals at sessions. |
– Technique Session being created where individuals share and work on their time trial improvement points – Looking for a video editor to take some of our ‘ideal technique’ trials footage and post on web for reference. |
| Have coaches coach instead of steer |
OC Coaching Team established to increase numbers available to coach | – Intro to Steering Courses underway to create depth in steering. – Crew Coach being trialled where one of the OC Coaching Team acts as the coaching voice for each crew. |
| Communicate more technique and increase ocean skills and training plan | See above for technique.
AM ocean sessions from Balmoral introduced, PD Downwind Day trialled. Training plan for key events posted on website. Google Docs being used to communicate weekly session plans amongst OC Coaching Team. |
See above for technique.
More Downwind Days… yeah! |
| Better race preparation (OC) | – Mid-week ‘Race Nights’ started with crews lining up for a series of mini races. – Race mindset forum postings ‘Race Prep’ sessions prior to every race |
Even more race mindset forum postings… yeah! |
| Communicate combined training and race calendar at the beginning of season rather than month to month | All races, events and trials loaded up on PD Web Calendar | – Season training plan created and communicated around key races – Regular ‘What’s Happening’ updates to be posted on OC web page |
| More paddlers learning to steer | – Accreditation catch-up completed for previous seasons – Mon/Tue night half session steering practice to create more Level 1s – Steering Intro Course rolled out to assist with L1s moving to L2 – Race Nights’ being used to help bridge the gap between training and race steering – Balmoral AM sessions used to bridge the gap between closed and open water steering |
Roll out more Steering Intro Courses
New Ocean Steerer Training Course to come! |
| Paddling in race crews more regularly |
– Race Prep, L3 and L4 sessions as well as weekend Balmoral sessions are split into mens/womens where numbers allow. – Typical paddler combos (eg. 1s and 2s) are seated where possible in the lead up to key races. |
‘Race Prep’ sessions held prior to every race where we split into mens/womens as dictated by the upcoming race.
Getting training time together as full crews is difficult though. The biggest stumbling block continues to be not all paddlers available for key sessions. There is also the trade-off with the higher intensity we get when training as even crews as well as the wwwelopment of skills required to adapt to different crew combos for changes racing. |