Friday, May 15, 2015

A day at the Seaside

Epic first day back on the water in the UK today at Cayton Bay with the awesome Dennis Newton. 4-5ft waves, perfectly clean swell, sunshine and no sharks it was insane.

Arriving at the Beach to see a perfect swell and the
awesome Dennis Newton already kitted up

The day was non stop and the perfect waves just kept rolling in. Den set the bar high from the start showing me how it was done throwing move after move. Then it was my turn and within just the first few rides I hit and landed some big airscrews. A huge break through after training them for so long. Then I hit my first ever Helix's and Flip Turns in the ocean as well as some Pistol Flips and loads of blunts.


Flying high with a big Airscrew

Wahoo

Surf photography is a risky 1 handed business.
Den gets closed out mid shot.

Seriously one of my best days out in the surf ever. What a great way to kick of training again with Den Sweetwater Coaching.

Playing in the Arcades
After the mega session we hit up the Arcades in Filey for some reaction and competition training (Merkat Hit game) and focus training (2p drop game) before testing out a new nutrition plan with some of the North finest rock (worst decision of the day...it was disgusting) and finishing the day at the beach, as every seaside adventure should, with matching new Avengers tattoos and a walk along the front.

Speed and reaction training

Todays biggest learning point... your never to old to have fun and the ocean is an awesome training ground for a wave worlds.

Just big kids

Tuesday, May 05, 2015

This is Squirt Boating


The last few weeks have involved a lot of time working out on the mat with 6 Degrees fit and many hours in front of the computer working on a project I have been thinking about doing for a few years now. The project is called 'This is Squirt Boating' and is a video collection showcasing all the main Squirt Boating moves. I have covered every move from the Bow Stall through to the Super Clean Split Wheel and Mystery Move and using video collected over the last year created a series of videos which I hope will help inspire the next generation of paddlers and give some insight into this unique discipline of paddle sport. Over the next few months I will be publishing the videos each week. 

Here is a promo video for the series and the link to my first three videos : This is Squirt Boating, the Bow Screw and the Cartwheel which are now online. As well as showing you some examples of the moves I have explained the ICF definitions of each move and its competition values. I hope you enjoy learning more about this amazing but often misunderstood sport.


This is Squirt Boating



The Bow Screw



The Cartwheel





Featuring Claire O'Hara

Filmed by Jez

Music Perfect Tomorrow by Mokhov

More videos and information can be found at

www.paddleeducation.com
www.canoeicf.com

www.claireohara.co.uk
www.claireohara.blogspot.com