There are several Coaching and Training Sessions available for BGCC members to take part in.
As these are all organised by the coaches and instructors on a voluntary basis, you are advised to contact those in charge of each session to make sure there have been no changes to the session times and/or that this week's session will be going ahead. Most of these sessions are held from Molonglo Reach, either on the Molonglo River or out onto Lake Burley Griffin.
Participation in training sessions is only permitted for club members with the exception of the "Taste of Paddling" Sessions.
Taste of Paddling Sessions
Taste of Paddling sessions for non-club members are conducted on a number weekends, for instruction in boat selection and use, basic paddling stroke. Also refining paddling strokes, trying less stable boats. These sessions must be booked through Patricia Ashton. See coaching for full details.
· Beginner Paddlers - New Club Members
- Join the Burley Griffin Canoe Club– .
- If you are new to paddling please consider doing the Taste of Paddling sessions first, you will get a feel for the sport and the club as well as the boats available to you.
- Beginner paddlers are welcome and catered for between October and April, from then on water and air temperatures steadily drop and many of us train and travel for the winter race season, or hibernate totally.
- However, if, during the colder months you are super keen, transferring from another club, or you are an experienced paddler, please let us know and we’ll try to set you up in a training group. Patricia.
- All new club members using club boats (except canoe polo), are expected to attend an Induction Session. These will cover club rules regarding the shed, boats and safety. You will learn which boats are available for use (depending on your paddling capabilities), how to use these boats - carrying them, adjusting them and how to get in and out of them. You will learn some basic paddling skills on the water. Sessions take about 2 hours.
- Once you have attended your Induction, there are various options open to you. If you have had some experience paddling you may wish to join one of the paddling groups listed below. If you are new to paddling and wish to gain skills, confidence and paddling fitness in a non-threatening, somewhat more gentle session, the following times are ideal.
- Please remember to get to the shed at least 10minutes before time, to be ready to paddle. Coaches lock the shed doors before getting on the water, so if you are late you will miss out, or you will be keeping other members from their paddle.
· Session Times:
- Saturdays at 12:00 p.m.,or 10:30 a.m. during hot weather, (on non-race weekends only!) – with Helen.Please contact Helen before 9 a.m. at: Helen or she will not be there. All paddlers are welcome to come along, you don’t have to take part.
- Sunday: 9.00 a.m.These sessions will be lead by coaches, trainee coaches or experienced paddlers on a roster basis. Depending on participants this could be a gentle paddle to the wetlands, carillon or Kingston, or short races up and down the river.
- Wednesday's: from 5:45 p.m. We run our club time trials - you can use these to increase your paddling fitness or you can take out a boat and go for a paddle yourself. Shed Is open from about 4:30 till 7:30 p.m. (During Daylight Savings Times)
- Thursdays - 7:00 a.m. David & Russell’s Session. 1 hour; some interval training and technique instruction.
Gary – Intermediate /Advanced Paddlers
Contact:
This intermediate/advanced group includes regular interval sessions and drills/technique sessions.
Interval sessions sound scary, but they are not. Anyone wishing to get fitter and faster is welcome.
Intervals are structured as 'out-and-back' so the group gets back together regularly regardless of various speeds through the group. Excellent for time trial and Marathon series racing. A stopwatch or GPS on the deck of the boat for each paddler is helpful but not mandatory.
If the coach is unavailable for any session (this is pretty rare!), programs will be set in advance and there are almost always other paddlers in attendance.
6:00 a.m. Tuesday & Thursday (all year) - Interval session. Off water by 7:15-7:30.
6:30 a.m. Saturday Interval session of about 90 minutes on Saturday.
7:00 a.m. Sunday - Long paddle of about 2 hours on Sunday.
Margi – TRAINSMART. Be the best you can be.
Contact:
Anyone who seeks to improve their time trial or racing performance are welcome to attend these sessions.
TrainSmart integrates information on paddle and boat physics, physical and fitness attributes, and biomechanics towards personalised training to prepare paddlers to be the best they can be. Sessions are structured to keep group cohesivity through the session so it does not matter if you are a fast Open MK1 paddler or an older masters paddler. The common ingredient for participants in this group is a desire to improve their time trial or racing performances. Participants in the program are encouraged to attend BGCC Time Trials, race in PNSW marathon and sprint races and aim to race at Nationals.
Sessions are usually 60-75 minutes during the week and longer on Saturdays. Sessions follow a 2-week microcycle pattern within a block periodisation format designed around key races. The program includes on-water and off-water sessions (gym, run, portage).
Summer training times 6:30 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
Squad trains together at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday.
CANOE POLO
Canoe Polo holds training on Monday, Wednesdays and Sundays, at the river over the summer months, and Wednesday and Sundays at Tuggeranong pool through winter. Contact our Canoe Polo convener, Laura Kleinrahm: Laura