Training Sessions & Groups
There is nothing like meeting a few new and old friends to go training together (followed by a coffee) and we also know that women like to train with each other in a friendly, non-competitive environment as it’s all a bit more fun.
So to help break down the barriers and make it less intimidating to ‘go training’ we’re gathering a resource of female only training groups and female friendly session that are currently under way in various capital cities and locations around Australia. We’ve listed the session we’ve currently heard about below (these links are customised to the race location you are looking at) but this is just a starter as we are researching and adding more info all the time.
And if you know of any good, female friendly training groups that are already up and running then let us know and we’ll post them up here to build the resource and network even further. Please contact Claire Eats in our office via Claire@rapidascent.com.au or call (03) 5261 5511
Ocean Paddling 101 for Women with Emma Francis
The good news is, with a bit of skill and experience under your belt, you can leave your unprepared competitors for dead come race day. Plus, you’ll be introduced to a fantastic low-impact sport that strengthens the core, tones the arms, and gives you a great workout in the great outdoors.
Emma Francis started paddling two-and-a-half years ago, partly to overcome her fear of the ocean. She instantly took to the sport like, well, a duck to water, and just a year later, found herself taking on the ultimate test of nerve and endurance – a lazy 330-kilometre paddle to Tassie across the treacherous Bass Strait.
Since then she has competed in several multisport and AR events, and recently had her first win at the Adventurethon Enduro in Queensland. As a relative late-comer to AR with no sporting background (other than a brief moment of glory as under-13 district long-jump champion), the 34-year-old believes she is living proof that it’s never too late to take on the AR challenge. She is particularly passionate about using her experience to encourage other newbies to get out of their comfort zones, and to that end, has joined Melbourne-based kayak school Peak Adventure, to help teach women the art and skill of ocean paddling.
Emma says: “My best piece of advice for doing well in AR is to get in as much paddling experience as possible in the lead up to the event. You can be the strongest runner and rider on the day, but it won’t amount to much if you can’t stay upright in your kayak!”
Led by experienced adventure racer and paddler, Emma Francis, Peak Adventure’s Ocean Paddling 101 for Women comprises two two-hour sessions covering the basics of:
- Craft selection and set up
- Water safety
- How to get back in when you fall out (the most important skill of all!)
- The fundamentals of the kayak stroke
- Paddle fitness
- Paddling downwind
- Race-day techniques e.g. wash-riding, nailing the buoy turn
- Race-day nutrition
Upon completion of this course, you may then attend one of Peak Adventure’s Lorne Ocean Ski Training Days in November, free of charge. Conducted at Lorne by Anaconda Adventure Race winner, Jarad Kohlar, these sessions will introduce you to the essentials skills of:
- Reading the conditions
- Negotiating the break zone
- Working with the wind and swell
- Paddling downwind
- What to do if you get into trouble (i.e. take a deep breath and don’t panic!)
You will also have the opportunity to paddle some of the Lorne Anaconda course so you know what to expect come race day. Please see the Peak Adventure website for the dates and times of these sessions.
Who’s this course for?
For women who’ve never sat in a kayak, to novice ladies who’d like to brush up on their skills and gain confidence. If you’ve never, or hardly, paddled and want to give the Lorne Anaconda a go, this is for you.
When?
Course 1:
Sunday 14 October, 2012, 8am-10am & Sunday 21 October, 2012, 8am-10am
Course 2:
Sunday 287 October, 2012, 8am-10am & Sunday 43 November, 2012, 8am-10am
Where? Sandridge Lifesaving Club, 240 The Boulevard, Port Melbourne 3207
How much? $100
For more information, please email emma@peakadventure.com.au
Mountain Bike Sessions with Jessica Douglas!
Women's "Stockyards Scary Stuff Secrets" Intermediate MTBSkills Course
You Yangs 5th August 10-2pm $187
Take charge of your confidence & stop riding at the end of the group where you never get the chance to see how the speed demons “actually” ride the scary stuff!
Our Women’s only courses are some of the best opportunities you will get to:
• See, practice and perfect the scary stuff
• The secret lines
• Find how easy it is to let the bike roll...even over rocks!
Stockyards can be quite intimidating – even to a lot of males. Let us show you how to apply “technique” rather than just brute force with you toes and fingers crossed at the same time hoping for success.
An all female environment provides loads of encouragement as well as lots of laughs.
MTBSkills have a great teaching model, VPMT. Vision, Position, Momentum & Technique.
Learn how to implement these principles in your mountain biking when we aren’t there to remind you! This course is suited to a rider who has already completed a course with us OR has a level of confidence where they are ready to take on some new learning!
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Jess Douglas's Womens FUNDAMENTALS
26 August You Yangs $155 per person 3hr Course
- Vision
- Position
- Momentum
- Technique
These 4 principles are the basic foundations to becoming a better mountain biker with great technique.
This course is perfect for newbies as well as the rider with a few bad habits or perhaps not progressing from the beginner stage with confidence.
"Get it right...from the start!"
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Jess Douglas's Women's TECHNIQUES
30th September You Yangs $155 per person 3hr Course
Do you want to:
- Perfect the process?
- Tweak your technique?
- Develop an understanding of why...how...& when to apply the correct technique?
This course will help you get the confidence that will allow you to do that drop, get over that log, ride the rocks, point downhill without 2nd guessing yourself.
Application of VPMT priciples in a more challenging setting.
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Jess Douglas's Women's MASTERCLASS
25th November Forrest $155 per person 3hr Course
Forrest has a great range of trails to smooth out your technique and have a heap of fun doing it!
You've got the tools and you know how to use them, now you need a solid block of "ME" time to really let it all sink in.
Grow in confidence by having the opportunity to practice, repeat & be given constant feedback from Jess to get your riding smooth and effortless.
Jess has a saying,"Ride smoother, faster for longer with less energy (and beat as many boys as you can!)"
BOOK NOW!
For more information, please e-mail info@jessicadouglas.com.au
Check out Jess's website - www.mtbskills.com.au