Mark Tozer, PhD: newsletter

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Wednesday, June 10, 2015

June's Newsletter

NORDIC TOUR ADVENTURES

We are writing this newsletter from Oslo, Norway, where we're into the second week of our Nordic Tour. It's hard to believe that the first tour took place six years ago! At that time, the tour was three weeks long. Over the years it has grown to over three months. We're very thankful to Johan Wirsen and Rebel Kayaks for sponsoring the tour for the second year in a row and providing us with kayaks. Helen is in the Ilaga, and Mark is in a brand new design, the Husky.

At the beginning of May, Helen was enjoying the warmth of the tropics at the Paddle Marathon Laguna Bacalar 2015, which took place in Bacalar, Mexico. After that she headed to the warmth of the Mokelumne River in Lodi, California to teach three Simplifying the Roll classes and one Simplifying the Rescue class. Meanwhile, Mark was in Pembrokeshire, Wales, running a BCU 4 Star Sea Training week, as well as a BCU 3 Star Sea Training and then a couple of BCU 4 Star Sea Trainings on Anglesey, Wales. The Nordic Tour started on May 23 in Asker, Norway, and as mentioned, we're now at our second stop, in Oslo, Norway.

We'll be in Norway for most of June. Today is our last day of classes in Oslo, and tomorrow we'll start to make our way to the west coast, for classes in Fitjar, Bergen, Bekkjarvik and Stavanger. At the end of June we'll head to Copenhagen, Denmark, for classes there. Along the way we'll be doing some hiking, paddling and exploring. Norway is a beautiful place to be if you like the outdoors. Click HERE for our complete 2015 Nordic Tour schedule.

As usual, visit www.greenlandorbust.org for more information and our current Events calendar and Blog postings. You can also follow us on Twitter. For questions, comments or to schedule us in your neighbourhood, e-mail: info@greenlandorbust.org.

Happy paddling!

Helen and Mark

Dr T's Coaching Corner

In April's Newsletter, we talked about the 'technical' element of the BCU's TTPP model and the part it plays in developing a paddler’s performance.

This month we focus on a kayaker's use of tactical strategies can help achieve a successful outcome. To recap, this element represents how we apply our technical skills in any given context through our understanding of timing, angle, edge, trim, speed, cadence, use of water features…and so on.

As paddlers, developing effective tactics to ensure success in our given environment is important. We might be able to demonstrate technically correct skills, but without considering the tactical element there is no guarantee of a good performance.

For example, we may be technically able to edge our kayak, but if we edge the wrong way when entering an eddy we are likely to capsize.

Completing a successful manouvre therefore requires the use of tactics which come from developing judgement, decision-making processes and the appropriate application of our skills in the chosen environment.

In order to master tactical decision-making and develop good paddling judgement / strategies then we need to actively think about where we are paddling to; which waves to ride; what line to take; how we shape our course; and ways to deal with environmental factors such as swell, surf and current.

Once we are able to combine our Technical ability with Tactical application, we can focus on the Psychological and Physiological aspects of our performance. More on that next time.

Program Schedule

Nordic Tour

May 23 to August 30, Norway, Denmark and Sweden

May 23 to 24 Asker, Norway

May 29 to 31 Oslo, Norway

June 6 to 7 Fitjar, Norway

June 9 to 11 Bergen, Norway

June 13 to 14 Bekkjarvik, Norway

June 18 Skudeneshavn, Norway

June 20 to 21 Stavanger, Norway

June 26 to 29 Copenhagen, Denmark

July 3 to 4 Grebbestad, Sweden

July 9 to 12 Stockholm, Sweden

July 16 to 18 Mora, Sweden

July 22 to 26 Nynashamn, Sweden

July 28 to 30 Sandhamn, Sweden

August 1 to 3 Karlstad, Sweden

August 8 to 9 Helsingborg, Sweden

August 11 to 12 Rungsted, Denmark

August 15 to 16 Frederiksværk, Denmark

August 22 to 23 Svendborg, Denmark

August 29 Malmo, Sweden

August 30 Karlshamn, Sweden

Other Venues...

Simplifying the Roll September 5, Big Lagoon, California

Traditional Paddlers' Gathering September 10 to 13, Lake Carlos State Park, Minnesota

Simplifying the Roll September 19 and 20, Whiskeytown, California

Simplifying the Rescue September 19, Whiskeytown, California

Private Rolling Classes during Mendo Madness September 25 to 27, Mendocino, California

…And Finally

Working on your roll and need a little help? Simplifying the Roll with Helen Wilson and Yoga for Outdoor People are available from our on-line store HERE.

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Helen Wilson and Mark Tozer • (707) 834-5501

info@greenlandorbust.org

• Find Us On Facebook • Follow Us On Twitter • Read All About It • Visit Our On-Line Store •

Wednesday, February 04, 2015

February's Newsletter

STORM GATHERING USA • NORDIC TOUR • ANTARCTICA

At the time of writing this, Storm Gathering USA is just one month away! We are thrilled to have so many paddlers coming from out of the area to play in our home waters. Registration continues through the end of February, but classes are filling fast, so for the best class selection, register soon! The event has top notch coaches, including Justine Curgenven, who will presenting Friday night on "Kayaking the Aleutians." Click HERE for a teaser. Friday night's beer will be provided by an awesome event sponsor, Kokatat.

Ben Lawry is hosting Saturday night's entertainment, which includes a lively slideshow, a social gathering, a raffle and beer provided by another awesome event sponsor, Thule. There are a couple of surprises in the works for that evening, so stay tuned. We are very excited about this event, and hope that you'll join us for it.

After the Storm Gathering, we have classes scheduled in the UK, and then Helen heads to Charleston, South Carolina for the East Coast Paddlesports & Outdoor Festival. She'll then be at the Paddle Marathon Laguna Bacalar 2015 in Bacalar, Mexico then heading to Lodi, California for some rolling and rescue classes. After all that, our Rebel Kayaks supported Nordic Tour begins.

This year's tour is bigger and better than ever, and we have classes scheduled in Norway, Sweden and Denmark. We are very excited to be back for another tour, and look forward to seeing all of our Scandinavian friends again. Click HERE for more details of our 2015 tour schedule.

Have you ever dreamed of kayaking in Antarctica? We are guiding an expedition there from December 31, 2015 to January 27/28, 2016. E-mail us at info@greenlandorbust.org for details.

In other news, we are now home from our Jamaica Circumnavigation Attempt. Please stay tuned for a complete blog about our adventures, which will be published by Canoe and Kayak Magazine.

As usual, visit www.greenlandorbust.org for more information and our current Events calendar and Blog postings. For questions, comments or to schedule us in your neighborhood, e-mail info@greenlandorbust.org.

Happy paddling!

Helen and Mark

Helen's Mentoring Madness

With Storm Gathering USA coming up next month, we have had symposiums on our mind both night and day. There's a lot to do, and a lot to think about.

One of the main factors that goes in to organizing a symposium is who should teach what. Most coaches excel in teaching certain types of classes, but most don't excel in teaching every type of class. A nice thing about symposiums is the wide range of skills that the instructors are able to present as a team.

We believe that everyone; beginners, intermediate paddlers, advanced paddlers and instructors can benefit from taking a class or two at a symposium. Not only are classes fun, but no matter where your skill level is at, it's always possible to take it up a notch or two. We are thrilled to have such a strong coaching team at the event hat not only coach, but also enjoy being coached.

Program Schedule

Rough Water Boat Handling:

February 14, Anglesey, Wales

Sea Kayak Surfing:

February 15, Anglesey, Wales

BCU 4 Star Sea Assessment:

February 21 to 22, Anglesey, Wales

BCU 3 Star Training:

February 25, Anglesey, Wales

Storm Gathering USA:

March 6 to 8, Trinidad, California

Simplifying the Roll:

March 28, Anglesey, Wales

Traditional Skills & Greenland Rolling:

March 29, Anglesey, Wales

4 Star Sea Training and Coastal Navigation:

March 30 to April 3, Anglesey, Wales

Anglesey Adventure Week:

April 6 to 10, Anglesey, Wales

Simplifying the Roll:

April 11, Anglesey, Wales

Traditional Skills & Greenland Rolling:

April 12, Anglesey, Wales

East Coast Paddlesports and Outdoor Festival:

April 17 to 19, Charleston, South Carolina

Private Rolling Classes during the ENC Kayaking Social:

April 23 to 26, Trinidad, California

Paddle Marathon Laguna Bacalar 2015:

May 1 to 3, Bacalar, Mexico

Simplifying the Roll

May 16 and 17, Lodi, California

Simplifying the Rescue:

May 16, Lodi, California

============================================================

Helen Wilson and Mark Tozer • (707) 834-5501

info@greenlandorbust.org

• Find Us On Facebook • Follow Us On Twitter • Read All About It • Visit Our On-Line Store •

Wednesday, May 07, 2014

May's Newsletter

STRAWBERRIES • SUMMER • THE U.S. STORM GATHERING SYMPOSIUM

This week has been so hot and sunny in Northern California that it's easy to feel guilty. The State has been in a draught for months, and more sun is the last thing that we need… but it feels so good to be outside eating strawberries, drinking margaritas and enjoying the gorgeous weather.

April began with us guiding a five-day Anglesey Adventure. After that we headed to the Ladies Paddle Symposium, also in Wales and then to Scotland for some personal fun exploring the land, water and a few distilleries. Mark stuck around and ran an Advanced Leader Training and Planning course with participants from Sweden, while Helen flew back to California to run Yoga for Paddlers and a Paddle Day for our local kayaking club. She also participated in the ENC Kayaking Social and ran classes throughout the event.

This weekend Helen heads to Whiskeytown Lake in Northern California to run rolling and rescue classes. After that she hops on a plane to Denmark to instruct at the Danish Canoe Federation's weekend for coaches. Mark in the meantime will be at the Anglesey Symposium and teaching during BCU Week. Then it's home for a week and Mark will be busy preparing the van for this year's Europe Tour, which will be supported by Rebel Kayaks. This year's tour will be HUGE! It starts in Helsingborg, Sweden on May 24 and continues until August 31. This year's tour covers Sweden, Norway and Denmark. We'll be taking a break from the tour for a couple of weeks in July when we'll be flying over to Greenland to guide an expedition and stop in at the Greenland National Kayaking Championship, taking place in Qaqortoq, Greenland.

Later in the year we have classes and symposia scheduled in the U.S., Wales, Scotland, Israel and Mexico. We've also started working on our 2015 schedule, which will include some really great classes and expeditions. Hopefully you'll join us for one or two of them :-)

We've been working hard on organizing the U.S. Storm Gathering symposium, taking place in Trinidad, California on March 6, 7 and 8, 2015. Sponsors are being confirmed, and the local community is prepared to warmly welcome participants and instructors from outside the area. If you came to the ENC Kayaking Social, you'll know that our local paddlers ROCK and they're getting excited about an event in their neighborhood. Come join us!

Happy paddling!
- Helen and Mark

Helen's Coaching Corner

Often when teaching rolling, I have students ask me about bringing their foot pegs closer to lock themselves in their kayaks. While this may seem like a good idea, it really isn't. By bringing the foot pegs closer you are locking in your hips, which will restrict their movement and therefore make rolling more challenging. Your feet should feel relaxed and comfortable on the foot pegs, similar to how they feel when driving a car. Although I wouldn't suggest removing your foot pegs completely, you'd have better control of your roll with no foot pegs, than having them too close.

Program Schedule

Simplifying the Rescue: May 4, Whiskeytown, California

Simplifying the Roll: May 3 and 4, Whiskeytown, California

Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning: May 9, Anglesey, Wales

Danish Canoe Federation's Weekend for Coaches: May 10 to 11, Kerteminde, Denmark

BCU 4 Star Sea Training: May 10 to 11, Anglesey, Wales

BCU 4 Star Sea Assessment: May 17 to 18, Anglesey, Wales

South Greenland Expedition: July 9 to 20, South Greenland

Nordic Tour:

May 23 to July 4 and July 24 to August 31

• May 24 to 25 – Helsingborg, Sweden

• May 31 to June 1 – Bergen, Norway