Rank Yourself
It is one thing to be a good paddler, and quite another to successfully raise others to the same status. This theory-based clinic provides new coaches with key words and concepts for effective communication with new paddlers, as well as recommendations for structuring workouts to promote health and improvement in athletes. All of our suggestions come from personal experience of over 40 years of paddling and coaching, as well as an understanding of exercise physiology.
RANK YOURSELF
Clinic Topics
Steering Clinic: Introduction to Steering
Everyone should know how to steer. This Clinic is for any paddler, advanced or beginner, who knows NOT how to steer or is just beginning to steer. Jim Foti, steersman since the age of 6, will teach you the fundamentals and mechanics of steering, when to use the different methods, for how long and why. It will outline the roles a steersperson plays as well as the roles of all the other seats, and why it is so important for all paddlers in the canoe to have a knowledge of steering. By the end of this session, you will have a grasp, if not be well on your way to steering an OC-6. Two day clinic: 4 hours on day one and 2 hours on day 2. 10 persons maximum.
Advanced Steering: Regatta Sprinting and Turns
You already know how to steer but need to sharpen up your skills in regatta sprint races with turns. Regatta steering leaves little margin for error. Learn or review where and how to line up your canoe, how to predict the effects of different ocean conditions, what to look for when heading to your flag, where to line up the canoe for the approach to the turn and how to execute the pivot and escape route. Hear the advice and suggestions that Jim Foti, steersman with more OC-6 sprint victories than anybody in Hawaii’s history has to say. Improve your confidence and performance with discussion, Q and A, and on the water practice. Steerspersons of any experience level can benefit from this clinic. One day clinic, 4 hours. 8 persons maximum.
Advanced Steering: Open Ocean and Downwind Surfing
You already know how to steer but need to sharpen up your open ocean and downwind surfing skills. A good steersman can make a good crew great! But a good crew without a good steersman will never be recognized. This clinic focuses on how to effectively and efficiently steer your canoe in the open ocean. Jim Foti, Lanikai Men’s premier steersman since 1986 and winner of 5 Molokai Hoe races, will share his knowledge. He will help you understand what to be aware of, what to look for and how to read the water. You will learn how to capitalize on opportunities, create opportunities and minimize mistakes. Improve your confidence and performance with discussion, Q and A, and blue water practice. We’ll help give you the tools to become the best you can be. 2 day clinic: 2 hours day 1, 4 hours day, 2 to 6 persons maximum.
Basic Paddling
Our most general clinic is geared toward those who are relatively new to paddling. Because club coaches may have tens of paddlers from a range of experience levels on their crews, they may not have the resources to give new paddlers a proper fundamental education about paddling. We take it from the ground floor and build up: receive one-on-one attention including video analysis of your stroke, learn technique drills and spend time on the water solidifying what you learn. Learn to assess weather conditions and ocean safety, as well as protocols for managing yourself and your crewmates should crises strike. Finally, appreciate team dynamics, the distinctive contribution that each seat makes in an OC-6 and how OC-1 paddling can contribute to the success of an OC-6 crew. We’ll give you the information and direction you need to become a better paddler. For levels 2 – 4.
Advanced Steering: Regatta Sprinting and Turns
For those who are already confident paddlers, but want reassurance they are on the right track, and/or reassert discipline into their training, we offer a clinic that focuses on the finer details of technique and training. This clinic is similar to the basic paddling option, but accelerates through basics and is generally a faster pace with more paddling. For levels 4 – 6.
Advanced: OC-1 Surfing skills
Surfing the ocean is perhaps the funnest form of paddling. One of the greatest freedoms associated with OC-1 is versatility in wave conditions. A defining mark of the best paddlers is their ability to catch swells of all sizes, coming from all angles and stringing it all together. Ocean surfing is also the best way to turn a monotonous workout into a stellar day on the water that leaves you hankering for more. Getting to that level of proficiency takes time in the ocean, but we can help accelerate the learning curve by sharing tips of what to look for and how to react. This clinic will take you into the deep blue ocean where you have the opportunity to try your hand at surfing with a coache(s) to guide you along and make sure you are safe. Please note that this clinic requires enough experience and competence to stay upright most of the time in the rough ocean. Consequently, this clinic is for intermediate/advanced, strong level 5 paddlers and above.
RANK YOURSELF
to Joining the Right Paddling Camp
The focus of the scheduled Foti Camps is on OC-1s, however, all but the advanced camp includes at least a day of OC-6 with an emphasis on steering. Camps are broken up by experience level. It is very important to select the appropriate experience level to ensure you get the most out of the coaching opportunity. Camp sizes will be restricted to no more than 10 paddlers per camp to assure that each paddler gets personal attention, so register early to get the camp and date that works best for you.
Your are at Level 1 when:
- Never before paddled. Might call an outrigger paddle an oar, and a canoe a kayak.
Beginner
We do not currently run camps for absolute entry level beginners. However, if you would like a one-on-one introductory clinic, or know of a group interested in an introductory camp, feel free to contact us here and we’ll build a curriculum right for you.
Your are between Levels 2 to 4 when
- Have paddled, but not for long. Are very novice and have never participated in any races.
- Have paddled for a year or so. Maybe have competed in a few local races. Probably only have paddled OC-6, but maybe have borrowed an OC-1 a few times.
- Have paddled for a few years now and am starting to get competitive in either or both OC-6 and OC-1. Know the basics well, but don’t have a lot of experience in open ocean, and long races.
You belong to The Basic Camp
Introduction to outrigger paddling in Hawaii; why we paddle, where it came from and who paddles outrigger. Learn how to handle OC-1 canoes; how to rig and care for them. Learn to assess weather conditions and ocean safety, as well as tips to avoid trouble on and off the water. Focus on stroke technique with a video analysis, learn technique drills relevant to your stroke, and spend time on the water practicing. Learn balance and stability techniques, as well as when and how to apply them. Introduce yourself to surfing and reading the water. Learn to steer the big canoes and better understand the basic fundamentals of OC-6 team dynamics. We’ll also give you training tips and tools, information on nutrition and how to build a game plan to accomplish your goals. Finish the week with some fun paddling, all the while reviewing and practicing the things you learned. Leave with a better understanding of what proper paddling should feel and look like, and why it’s so fun.
Your are between Levels 4 to 6 when
- Have paddled for a few years now and am starting to get competitive in either or both OC-6 and OC-1. Know the basics well, but don’t have a lot of experience in open ocean, and long races.
- Now you are definitely a paddler, having competed in numerous races over the past 3 or 4 years, you are no longer in the beginning novice category with your club and you feel you know what you are doing. Maybe you own an OC-1 and are starting to feel like you are getting pretty good in the calm and mild seas.
- You are a long time member of a club, you own an OC-1 and race both OC-1 and OC-6 regularly. Might have some open ocean experience, but need to improve your skills in the big water and surf.
You belong to The Basic/Intermediate Camp
Follow a similar curriculum to that of the basic camp, but with at a faster, more advanced pace that assumes some of the concepts are merely review. It will give you either confirmation of what you are doing correct, or the realization that you are not doing it correctly yet. We will still conduct video reviews and technique drills as needed, but this group should grasp concepts faster, giving us more time on the water and allow us to journey farther from home into more challenging conditions than the basic camp.However, we won’t cut the ocean safety portion short. Our aim is to give you the skills that will take you from being a more recreational paddler to a competitive racer. We’ll cover the same steering lesson as with the basic camp but will accelerate as necessary depending on the paddlers in attendance. We’ll also touch on race goals, preparation and planning. From experience we’ll tell you how to get to the top of your heap. Leave the week feeling more confident and accomplished a paddler than ever.
Your are between Levels 5 to 7 when
- Now you are definitely a paddler, having competed in numerous races over the past 3 or 4 years, you are no longer in the beginning novice category with your club and you feel you know what you are doing. Maybe you own an OC-1 and are starting to feel like you are getting pretty good in the calm and mild seas.
- You are a long time member of a club, you own an OC-1 and race both OC-1 and OC-6 regularly. Might have some open ocean experience, but need to improve your skills in the big water and surf.
- Regatta season, OC-6 distance and OC-1 distance. You do it all. Have experience in the open ocean, but still haven’t figured out how to make the ocean work for you. However, in flat races you place respectably well in the OC-1 division.
You belong to The Intermediate Camp
For those who want to step up their competitive game; we’ll fast forward through the basics and hit the water earlier and harder. We will still do the video analysis as you will always learn from analyzing yourself. We will also maintain a focus on ocean safety every step of the way as well as make sure everyone can steer an OC-6, which is a must to advance into the expert category. We will hit the blue water and challenging conditions, practicing and refining open ocean surfing and reading the ocean. We may choose to paddle in various locations based on the weather conditions, needs and desires of the paddlers. We will also discuss the finer points of training programs and race planning strategies for different types of races (sprint and distance courses, OC-1 vs. OC-6). We know what it takes to be the best and will share the tools. Primary focus will be on OC-1.
Your are between Levels 8 to 10 when
- I own five paddles, each for a different paddling condition. I am comfortable in the open ocean and big water. Have done many races of all sorts, not just local races. Are able to read the water well enough to keep up with a fast group in a good downwind surf run.
- Very good, experienced paddler. Very competent and confident in the open ocean, rough water. Paddles all types of canoes and pretty much kicks butt. Have a solid resume of races done. And I probably am a coach.
- Molokai Hoe? No big deal. You are the best of the best. Paddles everything well in all conditions, paddles a lot and has been “there” time and time again, with a long resume of success and accomplishments.
You belong to The Advanced Camp
This is a camp specifically engineered for highly experienced paddlers who want to paddle the extreme courses and conditions in Hawaii. Basics are not necessary and video review is out the window. This is only a 3 day camp with the majority of the time spent on the water doing surf runs and/or paddling the “out of bounds”. This is ideal for the experienced paddler who simply doesn’t know the area and how to get around, and wants to do it in good equipment. OC-1 focus, unless requested otherwise.
Pre-Race Course Clinics
While most of our clinics center around one aspect of paddling, we also offer instructional sessions that touch on all the major factors pertaining to the local (Kanaka Ikaika Racing Association) races (see www.kanakaikaika.com for schedule). Many paddlers enter a race on a route they have never traversed. Not knowing what to expect of the water conditions and coastal geography often makes a paddler uncomfortable, putting them at a distinct disadvantage. We offer to paddle through the upcoming race courses to improve racers’ confidence and race performance. We’ll help construct a race plan including route recommendations based on tides and weather patterns, pacing, and tips to reduce the overall workload. Finally, we’ll take a paddle along the intended race course to solidify key elements of your new strategy. Replace nerves with confidence on race day, and optimize the fun. This clinic assumes that paddlers are race-ready in terms of fitness and technique, and only need course guidance.
Ready to Join?
Our team is ready to share their lifetime of knowledge with you. Explore our services to find the perfect coaching experience for your goals.
