Suggested format for the Start line 2016/2020event on the 25th and 26th January
To the coaches:
1. This is your event and the data you collect will help you prep for the April trial.
2. This is merely a basic framework for the week end and if there are other tests/races you want to run please feel free to do so.
3. On the 26th /27th I will ask for a report on the weekends activities. As much detail as possible please. This is not to compare athletes from different venue with each other, merely to get a start point from which we hope to see the athletes improve and to see who is who in the zoo.
4. These results will be published for all to see and kept as records.
25th Saturday:
1. first up I want all the athletes to complete the 2 by 100m speed tests in k1 and k2 if they intend racing a k2. (if they want to do k1 and k2 for this then 1by 100m in a k1 and 1 by 100m a k2 ; if k1 only then 2 by 100m. Obviously reasonably spaced). If you feel only one 100m test is necessary that is fine.
2. Next we need to run the k1 1000s , k1 500s and k1 200s in which ever order you choose.
3. The rest of the day can be spent on team boat development (k2 and k4) and some k1 coaching and development.( This part is really important)
26th Sunday:
1. First up we do the team boat 1000s, 500s and 200s (k2 and k4)
2. next i want the k1 endurance tests. For 1000m athletes a 2000m test, 500m athletes a 1000m test and for 200m athletes a 500m test
3. the rest of the day can be spent on more team boat development and k1 development where needed.
As I said earlier this is open to change in the order of events and the no of times a distance is tested. I have also left time for team boat development and k1 work where needed.
Please encourage all the age groups to participate in all the tests.
The Vision of Sprint Canoeing in South Africa:
I would like to welcome all the friends of sprinting to the 2014 season.
As we all know, sprinting has had a rocky past to say the least and when I took on the job as sprint chairman, I did so for the following reasons:
1.To bring sprinting back to a wider base of people so as to create better sprinters at the top of the pyramid. ie : lets walk before we can run.
2.To create a system where the provinces and the clubs take ownership of sprinting to return it to the standards that we once achieved.
3.To create a solid infra-structure for future sprints events to use as a platform.
Together with Marcus, we started down that long and difficult road and all the ideas we put in place were good ones and need to be followed through on. One year later Marcus is out of the picture and my resolve has been strengthened in the following areas, and I will strive to achieve these goals.
1.A coach centred system in each of the provinces where the coaches have the freedom to prepare their athletes to the best of their ability.
2.Search for talent in areas not looked at before (lifesaving)
3.A national program of events that is practical and accessible to the majority of athletes.
4.To try to support our elite athletes and their coaches as best we can.
5.To create as many events as possible that are accessible to the majority of athletes so that they race as often as possible.
6.To create a venue that is of a good standard that can be used on a regular basis for high level events.
Now that I have said all of this, lets get down to the nut and bolts of 2014 and the lead up to the all important Olympic qualifying years of 2015 and 2016.
The first event, to be held on the 25th January, is being billed as The Start Line for 2016/2020 and it is very important that all of our sprinters attend the events that will be on offer at the three venues. Athletes wanting to travel to a venue other than the one in their home province are welcome to travel to venues in the other provinces.
Venue A: Gauteng – Roodeplaat dam; This venue will double as the normal sprint event venue as well as hosting the YOG and AYG trials
Venue B: Kwa-Zulu Natal – Shongweni dam
Venue C: Western Cape will announce this venue ASAP
We will come up with a basic format for this trial for the coaches to follow . However the coaches are able to include other events and tests as they see the need.
The bottom line is to start to prep the athletes for the upcoming SA champs and trials that the athletes need to perform at. The emphasis is to be placed on prep of potential team boats as well.
Once this event is over I will be in contact with the coaches at the three venues to bring together the results in the various distances and info on the k1 , k2 and k4 combination on offer.
Once this event is finished I would like the provincial sprint committee heads to organise as much racing as possible locally in the lead up to the all important April trials and SA champs. A suggestion is to have your provincial championships in this time.
For example in KZN, we will be racing and training on a bi-weekly basis at Shongweni dam, there is a short sprint event at Camps Drift once a week, and we will have an event on the 12th of February before the Dusi starts.
As you all know the SA champs and World Cup trial will be held in KZN at Nagle or Shongweni Dam.
I hope this helps all our coaches and athletes understand what they need to do in the next few months.
Please do not hesitate to call me with any queries and or helpful and positive suggestions.
Kind regards,
Neil Evans
0725063909 or icemandbn@gmail.com