Canoe Wales Slalom Kick Off Camp November 2022

Canoe Wales launched the new Performance and Talent Squads first training camp, held at the Cardiff International White-Water Centre last weekend, the 26^th and 27^th of November. These two days of activity were an opportunity for the two squads and their coaches to lay out what the future had in stall for them over the next 12 months.



The sessions weren’t just on the water, but in the gym and the classroom. The athletes learned all about how to be more accountable in setting their own journey, establishing goals and most importantly how to achieve them. They worked on creating and reinforcing the fun element of the sport; really understanding the ‘why’ of what they do. Each paddler now has an athlete bio which will help them to attract potential sponsors and raise the profile of the sport as a whole.

New and exciting gym programmes were created, and a learning library of resources was shared with each paddler so that they can continue to develop this important physiological aspect of their training, when they are away from training centres and their clubs. It was an awesome piece of work from Ben Hawkes, and when the athletes were asked about their favourite moments from the weekend, a significant number spoke about the fun and hard work of the gym sessions. There were talks specifically for the young female paddlers about how to balance training and performance around their menstrual cycle, while the boys discussed the need for senior athletes to model behaviours that are conducive to support and growth as we learn to cope with success and failure in equal measure.

Performance Lead Coach Andy Kettlewell said “I couldn't be more stoked with how things went! everyone's collaborative efforts really made it another level of excellence! Let's be accountable, let's work smart, let's work together and let's make our own luck!”

There are more camps planned with the Talent squad meeting up again in Llangollen and the Performance squad in Lee Valley before Christmas, where we hope they get to kick on following such a successful kick off!