Hello TLC Paddlers, I recently completed a 500m outrigger time trial in Tampa, clocking in at 2:25.13 - a time I'm both proud of and eager to improve upon. I wanted to share this experience with you because the lessons learned apply directly to your paddling journey, regardless of your current level. This result didn't happen overnight. It represents: - 4-6 weekly water sessions focusing on technique refinement and hard intervals - Deliberate warm-up and recovery protocols to maintain performance - Mental preparation techniques to maintain focus during maximum effort During the time trial, I focused on several technique principles: - **Patience at the catch**: Ensuring full blade burial before applying power (but it happens lightning fast during the time trial) - **Acceleration through the stroke**: Progressive power application rather than an immediate "hit" - **Maintaining connection**: Keeping the blade fully engaged throughout the power phase - **Consistent cadence**: Finding the optimal stroke rate for sustained power, should be on the high side to get that fast score The most valuable insight from this experience is that improvement comes from consistent application of fundamentals. The same principles we practice in our sessions are what drive performance at every level. When you feel challenged by a drill or technique adjustment we're working on, remember that these small refinements compound over time. Trust the process - the stopwatch eventually reflects the work. I'll be analyzing the footage from this time trial to identify areas for improvement in my own technique. This continuous self-assessment is something I encourage all of you to embrace - we never stop learning on the water. I'm excited to bring these fresh insights into our upcoming programming. As always, I'm grateful for your trust in me as your coach, and I'm inspired by your dedication to improving your paddling teknique. See you on the water! Coach Tek --- P.S. I've posted the full time trial video on my Youtube if you'd like to see these principles in action. Your comments and questions are always welcome! I recommend lowering the volume a bit because the seat squeaked A LOT hahaha

Wasn't my best still... slight breeze, some weird current, but I pushed my hardest for this. One more month until time trial in Tampa! Let's go! I focused on not overreaching, going straight to my catch with rotation, and pushing out through my exit. Anyone else got footage of their time trials?

I started paddling in 2015 in Tempe, AZ as a part of a corporate team in our local/annual AZDBA Festival in Tempe Town Lake. I grew up in Hawaii, so being near/on the water has always been a happy place for me. As I get older, trying to balance personal achievement while pouring into other people and seeing them grow has been a huge passion of mine. I tried out for the US National Team in the 2023 Pattaya Thailand cycle and it has been my biggest thrill and personal achievement to bring home 3 WC medals including gold in the 2k with the SB crew. A huge shout out to Tek for getting the ball rolling in that endeavor by submitting my time trial video to Bob McN to get me in front of the coaches, and it was a whirlwind from there. At the beginning of 2024, I was asked to take over the helm of the local club I have been paddling with since 2016 (AZ Gila Dragons), and have been putting most of my energy there over the past 12 months. Since coming back from Thailand, its been my dream to put together an AZ Select team and take it to CCNC in a bid to earn a berth to CCWC. I am in the birth pangs of that currently with a few other AZ club coaches, so lets see where that takes us this year! So happy to be here among other passionate paddlers!

This week, we talked about the secret of PACING to shave off 10s off your pErg test. In the menu, click <Classroom>. Inside the Classroom, you will see a course that say <Grow Your Paddling Mindset>. Click that and you'll be able to see the growing list of Tek Talks as we have them. If you find them valuable, please share them with your friends/coaches/teammates and drop a comment here about it. See everyone next week for Tek Talk 25.1.4! After watching this talk, how could a pErg benefit your training? What is your goal for your next pErg test?

Wanted to say good luck to those who are a the Team USA SrA Camp in Tampa. Have a great time and learn a lot! If there are other camps going on that people are attending, please share here so that we can support each other and support you! Way to go!