WWR Info - Junior Development

Thanks for all replies/excellent response to the JDS message. The main thing is to keep having fun, get the closed cockpit tests, and develop skills on flat and white water - and the Closed Cockpit Kayak 4* test is a really good confidence booster for potential WWR paddlers. We will be trying to do some work on getting people together on White Water - though this has been difficult to achieve over the last year. There is no substitute for getting somewhere and doing it - and all the current Junior International Squad boys and girls will tell tales of the travel they have undertaken! This is difficult for those who live in the South - but trips into Wales should be taken at every opportunity! Particularly where Div B races coincide with Div A races there wil! l always be Seniors willing to take Juniors down river an hour or two before race start - but you will have to ask if we are not there.

For those who want boats the Wavehoppers are known to be located at: Greenstar CC, Sheffield CC, Macclesfield and District CC, Salford Watersports Centre, Holme Pierrepoint, Sunderland, Bath, Wilts CC, and Banbury CC.Arrangements to borrow these can be made.(We know it can be difficult when there are more paddlers than boats!) If in doubt ask the local Paddle Development Officer (see the BCU website) for help - or me.

Composite boats are at Leicester, Royal, Burton, Solihull, Shropshire, Hexham, Newcastle Uni, Sheffield Uni, Loughborough Uni, RAFCA, Army CA, Edinburgh, Inverness - these can be tried/borrowed for training by arrangement.

The following composite boats will be available shortly ex Squad: 2 Double Dutch Advantages - suitable for Junior Girls/Young Boys. 1 Gaybo for boy or girl. First come, first served. Normally, a deposit is taken by the WWR Exec on these boats.Those who need/want boats please let me know so that we can work out what may be required.

The discussion board on the website often has boats for sale. For the younger end - don't worry too much about boats just yet.

Maitland Hyslop

University and Junior Development Review

Grant Schemes

SportsAid (ages 12 - 18)

Criteria
Application form (.doc)
Application form (.pdf)

TASS (ages 16 - 23)

Criteria
Application form (.doc)
Nomination form (.doc)

Junior Development - 2005 and beyond

Junior Development is about bringing on junior paddlers to whatever level of expertise they wish to achieve in the sport.

To do this Wild Water Racing will concentrate on:

1. Competitive Junior Paddlers:

1.1 Improving competitive paddlers. Competitive paddlers who wish to eventually compete for selection are advised that a Div A 'status' will be required for International Selection and that Div A events are events where regular profiling and training will take place for athletes.

1.2. A national training Camp for Junior Wild Water Athletes of All ages will be held at the Tyne Tour 5/6 November 2005, and annually thereafter. Coaches, Div A paddlers, and Safety will be in place for introductory White Water ( a 4 hr trip and course) from Haydon Bridge to Hexham and an introductory Grade III/IV trip from Chollerford to Hexham and/or elsewhere, for those who can handle it.This camp is likely to be mandatory for those seeking Junior selection in 2006/7.

1.3. It may not be possible to hold an International trip to Bourg or elsewhere this year (because of the existing very heavy international commitments) - but all those who do well at the Camp in November 2005 will be asked to go to Bourg or equivalent in Summer 2006.

1.4. Formal Junior Development Camps/Training and Profiling 2005/6 - A Reminder Of Where You Should be To Count In Addition To 'Usual' Div A Attendance

2005 - Junior Academy

* Tour D'Ecosse 29 April - 2 May 2005
Goal: Classic and Sprint Performance, Assessment and Training. Profiling.
* Nottingham 10 Sept 2005
Goal - Measure Junior Interest and Performance. Advise Individual Improvements.Squad Development.
* Nene 8 Oct 2005
Goal - Individual Profiling, Training Plans. Updates On Nottingham.
* Tyne Tour - UK All Age (10 Upwards) Junior White Water Training Camp 5/6 Nov 2005
Goal - Tackling A Variety Of White Water Situations
* Burrs 20 Nov 2005
Goal - Individual Profiling, Training Plans, Confirm Winter Training

2006 - The Junior Academy

* Burrs - 11 February 2006
Goal: Post Winter Profiling. Spring Training Plans.
* Tour D'Ecosse 2006 - Spring Junior Training Camp
Goal: Classic and Sprint Performance, Assessment and Training. Profiling.
* Nottingham 2006. Sprint Performance. Flat Time Trials. Profiling
* 'Bourg' 2006 for aspirants to 2007 Europeans etc - Summer Junior Training Camp
* Tyne Tour 2006 - UK All Age (10 Upwards) Junior White Water and Autumn/ProfilingTraining Camp
* Burrs 2006 Goal - Individual Profiling, Training Plans, Confirm Winter Training

Note: Profiling will involve some general fitness assessments.

2. The Younger Paddlers (U14)

The Younger paddlers should focus on the Wavehopper Challenge and 'Div B suitable for Novices' programmes. Have fun and get fit!

3. The Recreational Junior Paddler

The recreational Junior Paddler interested in Wildwater Racing should focus on the Wavehopper Challenge and Div B events.

Long Term Paddler Development

Long Term Paddler Development Pathway Report (pdf)

This document outlines how the BCU has interpreted the principles behind long Term Athlete Development and applied them to paddlesport. It has come about as a result of a consultation with key figures in the paddling world and through work with Dr Istvan Balyi, Sport England and the BCU Steering Committee.

Total Preparation

The text of the talk given by Neil Stamps at the Junior training day at Leicester in October.

As Word™ file
As PDF

Paddler Development - Useful Sites

Core Stability Is The Key To Wildwater Fitness – Here Are Some Sites and Ideas

http://www.falconkayaking.co.uk/4feb.htm (With Photos)

http://www.outsider.ie/core-strength.php (With Photos/Diagrams)

http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/conditioning/a/aa052002a.htm

http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/archive/core-stability.html

http://www.concept2.co.uk/guide/guide.php?article=core_stability

Searching For The Holy Grail – Some General and Good Kayaking Advice

http://www.topsport.co.nz/kayaking-info/kayaking-tips.php

Developing Power and Speed In Wildwater

http://www.usawildwater.com/training/PwrSpd.pdf

Basic Stroke Technique

http://www.falconkayaking.co.uk/theory.html

Five Immutable Rules Of the Wildwater Forward Stroke

http://www.usawildwater.com/training/fwdstroke.htm

French Wildwater Training Plan As Given To USA Team

http://www.usawildwater.com/training/french1.htm

ICF Wildwater Development Programme

http://www.canoeicf.com/devprogrtrprg.php

Junior Profiling Weekend - 17th/18th January 2004

The first Junior Profiling Weekend, held at the National Water Sports Centre, Nottingham on 17th/18th January 2004 was attended by 22 paddlers ranging from U12 to those in their last year of juniors. The weekend started with an out and return 3km paddle on the regatta lake with splits being taken every 1000m. The stiff breeze made the outward leg mentally as well as physically challenging, but did make for some fast runs back to the finish.

This was followed by a talk given by Kevin Bowerbank and Michael Mason on the importance of planning a proper balance between paddling, study and social life. Using a planner, the paddlers were encouraged to focus on the key race and training events. Then they should create a weekly training plan for an optimal 10 sessions. Though this number was higher than nearly all the attendees were currently achieving, they were encouraged to be inventive and to create training sessions. For instance, putting maximum effort into school PE and games lessons, or running to school instead of taking the bus. Keeping up to date with schoolwork was an essential point, otherwise extended periods off training might be enforced. This last point was received with much enthusiasm by those parents present, at least.

After a much needed pause for food came a wide range of gym tests. Michael Mason led from the front, doing every exercise himself as well as helping others to perform to their best ability. The tests ranged from throwing a medicine ball to the ever popular press-up.

The first day ended with Jes presenting his short and long term plans for Junior Development and taking a detailed look at selection for the 2004 team. Even though not all the some participants were yet old enough to be eligible for selection, the talk was made relevant for all and gave the younger paddlers an idea of what they could aspire to.

And so to bed……..

Sunday morning started bright, but cold, with a 4km run that so nearly became a sibling event with sisters taking the first two places in the girls' run and brothers being split to come 1st and 3rd in the boys'. The run was further enlivened by a helpers' sweepstake won by Jackie Hyslop. Michael (Michaela?) Mason initially won the girls' event, but was disqualified on a technicality!

A break was allowed for recovery before the second water test - consistency in sprinting - 6 x 100m with 5 minutes rest between each. Two paddlers demonstrated that perfection was an achievable target.

With a certain irony of timing, the last formal event was on the importance of a full warm up to "being the best you can be". Both physical and mental aspects were covered by Graham Campbell, National Development Coach for Flatwater.

This concluded a thoroughly worthwhile weekend, and thanks must be given to Jes Oughton, Kevin Bowerbank and Michael Mason for all their efforts both in planning and running such an enjoyable and beneficial event. The juniors, too, played their part by working hard and listening attentively whilst also enjoying each other's company. From what we hear, many of those attending had benefited before the sessions even started by being encouraged to practise the exercises ready for the big day. With profiling planned to take place every 3-4 months the pressure is now on to keep up the good work.

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Junior Development Officials:
Jes Oughton	junior_team@wildwater.org.uk
Howard Blackman	howard@bcu.org.uk
Team Email	wwrdevelopment@wildwater.org.uk

All other contacts can be found via the current WWR Handbook or from Jes above. Top