Never had a coaching session before? Here is what actually happens, from the safety briefing to the debrief at the end.
Before you get on the water
Every session starts with a conversation. I want to know what your experience is, what you have been working on, and what you want to get out of the day. If you have specific things you are struggling with, like catching eddies or reading water, this is when you tell me. There is no judgement. Everyone starts somewhere.
The safety briefing
Before we touch the water, we go through a full safety briefing. This covers the river we are paddling, what to do if you swim, communication signals, and any hazards specific to that stretch. Even experienced paddlers get a briefing. It is not optional and it is not a formality. River conditions change and I want both of us on the same page.
On the water
Once we are on the river, the coaching is hands-on. We paddle together and I give you real-time feedback. I might ask you to try a rapid a few times so we can work on a specific technique, or we might do a longer run to build your river reading. It depends on your goals. I film sections when conditions allow so we can review them afterwards.
Video analysis and debrief
At the end of the session, we sit down and go through what we covered. If I got footage, we watch it together. Video is one of the fastest ways to improve because you can see exactly what your body is doing versus what it feels like. You will get written notes afterwards with specific things to practise before next time.
What to bring
Bring your own kayak, paddle, helmet, buoyancy aid, and spray deck. Dress for the water temperature, not the air. If you are not sure what you need, get in touch before the session and I will advise. I do not provide equipment, but I can help you figure out what you need or where to rent it.
Want to put this into practice?
Book a coaching session and we will work on this together on the water.
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