Virtual Challenges – Paddle

Events will start and finish each month and results will be published for each months events. You can register for a challenge and complete it within any month. Your data must be submitted for the month that you completed the challenge in, you have 24hrs after the challenge finishes to have your data submitted.

There are 2 paddle options: FLAT WATER PADDLE or OCEAN PADDLE. The distance options are the same but different conditions apply.

Note: Vaikobi is supplying $100 Vaikobi Vouchers each month of the challenge. Visit  www.vaikobi.com.au for a look at their paddling clothing and PFD range.

Prizes are supplied at random for those submitting paddle data

Your paddle must be an out and back paddle from a single start/finish point. This is to remove the temptation to find a fast-flowing system and paddle a downstream, or a downwind, point to point option.

You will need to show proof of your efforts by submitting images of your paddle result. The image/s must show time/date of paddle, total time and a course map. Alternatively, you can provide a GPS file of your run.

Your paddle must be completed within the nominated start & finish dates.

Please make sure you always have appropriate safety equipment with you when paddling.

Good luck and happy paddling!

5km Paddle is achievable and not a massive time investment per session compared to the longer varieties. The challenge is to establish an efficient stroke which keeps the boat moving fast for you and then develop your capacity to get more from each stroke and your ability to manage energy (lactic acid threshold) so you can finish with some sense of form and a surge of speed. Doing various small tests 1-2 km will help you plan your energy needs and add speed over the time. Out and back will allow you to easily track your splits for analysis in training and allows a time to try and beat on your return to the finish.

5km TT is the perfect booster session to throw into a paddling regime to keep you excited and fit with minimal time investment.

Training for a 10km is achievable and not a massive time investment per session compared to the longer varieties. The challenge is to establish an efficient stroke and then develop your capacity to get more from each stroke and your ability to manage energy so you can finish with some sense of form and a surge of speed. Doing various small tests 1-4 km will help you plan your energy needs and add speed over the time. Out and back will allow you to easily track your splits for analysis in training and allows a time to try and beat on your return to the finish.

Training for a 20km is achievable and not a massive time investment per session compared to the longer varieties. The challenge is to establish an efficient stroke and then develop your capacity to get more from each stroke and your ability to manage energy so you can finish with some sense of form and a surge of speed in maybe the last 2-3 km. Doing a combo of slow paddles for time on your craft in addition to various small tests 4-5 km will help you plan your energy needs and speed to use over the time. Out and back will allow you to easily track your splits for analysis in training and allows a time to try and beat on your return to the finish.

Spend some time training at “warm up” pace and prioritize good form and efficiency.

50km – You have 72 Hrs to get this done (3 days unlike in April- however you can still knock it off in 1 go )

Just let us know how long you rested – You may even decide to hit this challenge weekly for May 2020 with smaller paddles.

Training for a 50km in 1 hit is achievable and not a massive time investment per session if you are experienced at 10 – 20 km paddles. The challenge is to establish an efficient stroke and then develop your capacity to get more from each stroke and your ability to manage energy so you can finish with some sense of form and retain speed in maybe the last 5 km. The secret to this is pacing slowly at the start of your challenge.

A combo of slow paddles for time on your craft in addition to various small tests 8-10 km will help you plan your energy needs and speed to use over the time. Out and back will allow you to easily track your splits for analysis in training and allows a time to try and beat on your return to the finish as well as deal with wind etc ready for a challenge.

Spend some time training at “warm up” pace and prioritize good form and efficiency.

Your paddle may be a point to point downwind paddle or any ocean paddle.

You will need to show proof of your efforts by submitting images of your result. The image/s must show time/date of paddle, total paddle time and a course map. Alternatively, you can provide a GPS file of your paddle.

Your paddle must be completed within the nominated start & finish dates.

Please make sure you always have appropriate safety equipment with you when paddling.

Good luck and happy Paddling

If you choose a downwind challenge you want to use the power of the ocean, get on it and then ride it as long as possible before positioning yourself on the next runner and repeating the process. Finding your best local 10km Downwinder course and repeating it in various conditions and learning from each one is a way to become more efficient at catching runs and utilising their power as long as possible. Aim to repeat and get faster.

Try to experience various conditions in training- there is never a perfect downwind and the best paddlers are able to make the best of any bump because they are able to work with what they are given. Might be worth adding some tempo changes to your downwind training, eg intervals of 4-6 strokes on at a high level/ speed then a few recovery strokes and repeating. This will get your body used to the explosive nature of catching runners and linking up. Ideally catching runners and then being able to stay on a wave with minimal effort will also allow you to get the most from each wave with minimal effort conserving energy and helping you be an efficient surfer.

Training for a 10 km is achievable and not a massive time investment per session compared to the longer varieties. The challenge is to establish an efficient stroke and then develop your capacity to get more from each stroke and your ability to manage energy so you can finish with some sense of form and a surge of speed. Doing various small tests 1-4 km will help you plan your energy needs and add speed over the time.

Use your skills to travel further, faster. The 20 km mark is a real barrier to break and opens up the gateway to larger distances…break the 20 km mark and you know you can bite off a bigger distance with a little bit of smart energy use and a longer session each week.

Training for a 20km is achievable and not a massive time investment per session compared to the longer distances. The challenge is to establish an efficient stroke and then develop your capacity to get more from each stroke and your ability to manage energy so you can finish with some sense of form and a surge of speed in maybe the last 2-3 km. Doing a combo of slow paddles for time on your craft in addition to various small tests 4-5km will help you plan your energy needs and speed to use over the time. Out and back will allow you to easily track your splits for analysis in training and allows a time to try and beat on your return to the finish.

Spend some time training at “warm up” pace and prioritize good form and efficiency.

50km – You have 72 Hrs to get this done (3 days unlike in April- however you can still knock it off in 1 go )

This challenge should excite and scare you, a little bit of belief that you can do it as well as a healthy respect to know that you could potentially fail makes this a real challenge to bite off.

This doesn’t have to be downwind only, you could paddle to a great place from where you intend to finish while the wind is low, then wait for the sea breeze to kick in and downwind it back to the car. The 50 km must be done within the same day. Having the chance to feed up on energy and a bit of lunch/ snacks etc is ok.

This vast distance needs to be attempted safely and should include safety steps so loved ones know where you will be and when you are returning, as well as having another crazy buddy along for the ride to make sure you are safe. If you can’t find someone to join you, it may be worth designing a course that allows multiple options for pulling into safety early should you end up in trouble.

Training for a 50 km is achievable but is a larger time investment. The challenge is to establish an efficient stroke and then develop your capacity to get more from each stroke and your ability to manage energy so you can finish with some sense of form and retain speed in maybe the last 5km when your body will be very fatigued. The secret to this is pacing slowly at the start of your challenge.

Doing a combo of slow paddles for time on your craft in addition to various small tests 18-20 km will help you plan your energy needs and speed to use over the time.