Hello All,

Tino Specht Checking in here with a very late but needed coaches report. Now that my blog is up and running you can expect to see these weekly or more.

We have had a very exciting quarter so far with a ton of huge waves starting on the Ottawa River and then some amazing river running on the Gauley and Upper Yaugh rivers.

Our first destination was the Ottawa River stationed in Beachburg, Ontario. The Ottawa is known for its warm water and perfect play features but before we could get out surfing we had to run our safety clinic which teaches basic to advanced techniques of rescue and group dynamics. Here is the short video, video class put together to give you guys a peek into our first safety training.

Our weekly paddling schedule looks something like this.

Monday: Safety Training and Freestyle Technique ( we like to start our weeks off with safety training and a new technique every day, this way the athletes have safety fresh in their minds the rest of the week as well as being able to build upon their already solid river rescue foundation)

Tuesday: Safety Training and Freestyle Technique

Wednesday: Race Day and Down River Training ( On this day we scout extensively rapids together as a group and then hold some sort of a river race. This helps the athletes to pick apart a rapid and identify where they want to go with the easiest fastest lines that take the least effort or the safest lines)

Thursday: Freestyle Training ( We pick two moves a day and work intensively on them. This gives the athletes the confidence to try the moves on their own. Its all about getting over that first hump)

Friday: Competition Day ( All the skills and technique that the athletes have been working on all week comes to a point and they get to test themselves against their personal goals and their piers)

West Virginia

Since coming down to West Virginia we have had some epic days on the Gauley River since it is in our back yard. ( I know tough life eh?) The Gauley is loaded with great playspots for our freestyle training but the really cool thing about this river is that you can make it as hard or easy as you want to. Its perfect for the whole group. The river doesn’t run during the week so we have been doing tons of other outdoor activities after school. Frisbee Golf is a favorite of everyone and Dave Hughes learned that when you take a bunch of incredible young athletes and introduce them to a new game, they are going to get better than you very quickly. Anyway. Just a quick update of whats going on here.

Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Tino

Frisbee Golf

After an Amazing Turkey Dinner

Tino And Dave Flying the Helicopter

The Family After A Swimming Session

Taylor and Tracy making and amazing Dinner

Alex Scouting a hole on the Ottawa River during a Safety Class

Clay Throwing a rope to real someone in during a safety class on the Ottawa River

Yours Truly Doing a Pan Am on Corner Wave

Eric Showing that he doesn't need a paddle!

Enjoy!