The experiences you create are the moments that define you.

The experiences you create are the moments that define you.

Seth Godin - Soles (06 Jan 2011)

Such a simple sentence - such a strong message.

The Hawkesbury Canoe Classic being just one recent example for me (I am still trying to write something up about the night. The words and motivation will come to me at some stage) ..

Team Vela - Geoff Eldridge, Jo Petterson, Alasdair Grant, Charlotte Pache, Rachel Mosen and Graeme Bacon - Windsor - Sat 23 Oct 2010 (picasa)
HCC 2010 - Photo Collage - Pacific Dragons and Friends - Sat/Sun 23/24 Oct 2010 (picasa)

HCC 2010 Team Vela - Preparation

In preparing for the 2010 Hawkesbury Canoe Classic (2010 HCC) I looked at how we might be able to utilise GPS technology to assist us during the course of the paddle. I have a Locosys BT-31 (*) and a Garmin Forerunner 301.

Team Vela - Geoff Eldridge, Jo Petterson, Alasdair Grant, Charlotte Pache, Rachel Mosen and Graeme Bacon - Windsor - Sat 23 Oct 2010 (picasa)
The Locosys GT-31 has navigatiion capability where a course can be entered into the GPS and that the course can be tracked by following a directional bearing provided by the GPS.

The first step was to work out how to create and load a course into the Locosys GT-31. After a little bit of goolging, the following links proved useful:

• gmap-pedometer.com which can be used to plot a course.


• Plan GT-31 Route in Google Map

It was decided that we should have our pit stops at Sackville and Wisemans (Dargyle near Checkpoint E is now not used as Pit Stop), so our attempt would be split the HCC into three sections. Namely:

1. Sect 1 - Windsor to Sackville (29.2 km)



2. Sect 2 - Sackville to Wisemans (29.3 km)



3. Sect 3 - Wisemans to Brooklyn (40.3 km)

The course was then plotted on gmap-pedometer.com for each of the three sections of the HCC:

• Sect 1 - Start to Sackville (29.2 km - gmap / trkpt gpx)
  
  
• Sect 2 - Sackville to Wiseman’s (29.3 km - gmap / trkpt gpx)
  
  
• Sect 3 - Wiseman’s to Finish (40.6 km - gmap / trkpt gpx)

The resulting gmap-pedometer.com maps (see screenshots below) can be zoomed in/out and panned to follow the course in great detail. Hopefully, this demonstrates the kind of lines to follow in order to minimize the distance covered (however tide and weed have an impact on following other lines). Navigation can be done pretty much by sight in the full moon. There may be fog and dark spots along the course, so it is always helpful to know where we are.

Sect 1 - Start to Sackville (29.2 km - gmap / trkpt gpx)

Sect 2 - Sackville to Wiseman’s (29.3 km - gmap / trkpt gpx)
Sect 3 - Wiseman’s to Finish (40.6 km - gmap / trkpt gpx)
After some data massaging (a long post in itself - email for details at present), the resulting section files were uploaded into the Locosys GPS. The Garmin Forerunner 301 would be used as a backup for data recording purposes.

The next step was to come up with some kind of arrangement to see the GPS, particularly at night, where as a steerer, I did not have the opportunity to switch on the GPS Backlight. A booklight was suggested and an arrangement was planned for and put together on the day (see the following photo). The GPS can be seen in the bottom left corner of the Team Vela photo at the top of this post:

GPS Setup for Locosys and Garmin GPS's - Windsor (23 Oct 2010)
Having paddled the 2007 HCC, I had a GPS Result file which I could use to provide some estimates for arrival times at our pit stops at Sackville and Wisemans, to assist our great landcrew in preparing for our arrival.

One thing I found from the 2007 GPS Output, was that the distance travelled was 99.3km, which approximately 10% lower than the 111km length, the HCC has become famous. I also had a file with the Checkpoint GPS Cordinates (provided from the HCC website). These two files allowed calculation of the distances between each checkpoint so that a better estimate could be made of arrival times.

The other factor determining estimated arrival times was the tide. The HCC Organisers provided a Tide Chart and I plotted various arrival time lines (10, 11 and 12 hr) to determine where the tides would change. See the 2010 Tide Chart below, for more details:

HCC 2010 - Tide Chart with 12hr (Red),11hr (Blue) and 10hr (Green) finish times - Sat/Sun 23/24 Oct 2010 (pdf)
With all this information in hand, the following table was constructed:

HCC 2010 - Progress Chart - 2007 Times - Tide Estimate - 10km/hr Estimate
The Tide Estimate details were transferred onto an ammended HCC Progress Chart (see below). A laminated copy was available in the OC6 for the paddle.

HCC 2010 - Progress Chart based on Tide Estimate - Sat/Sun 23/24 Oct 2010
It was nice to be prepared and I will write up later how it all went on the night.

The Pilgrimage – The Ord River Marathon

The Pilgrimage – The Ord River Marathon

"How we came to be on a dragon boat paddling down the Ord River in the Kimberleys, is a bit of a long story."

These were Michelle Hanton’s, now famous, words at the start of the Ord Marathon in the 2004 June Long Weekend Australian Story Episode, In the Pink. This episode told the Dragons Abreast Story in Australia and it covered all aspects of living life with breast cancer. It helped raise the awareness and benefits of Dragons Abreast Australia, and the number of new Dragons Abreast clubs and paddlers grew quickly across Australia. For the Ord Marathon Organisers, the Kununarra Dragon Boat Club, the show also exposed their great event to Australia and the World.

Joanne and Jo Stanton at the Start (Jo was the Marathon Registrar and also helped with the coordination of the Flowers for the Lily Lake Flowers on the Water Ceremony) - Sun 13 Jun 2010
Geoff, Lindsay Gassman and Joanne - Lindsay lead a great team that not only organised, but also paddled the Marathon - Lily Lake/Kununarra - Sun 13 Jun 2010
The Ord River Marathon is 55km Dragon Boat paddle down the Ord River from the Lake Arygle Dam Wall to the Lily Lake in Kununarra. The paddlers weave their way along the Ord River through one the oldest landscapes in the world. Anyone who has travelled the Ord will tell you about the beautiful dominant colours of the orange weathered gorges, the unique green vegetation and the blue sky that comes with the beginning of the "dry season".

Jenny's Paddle - Colours of the Ord: The Orange, Blues and Greens - Ord River - Sun 13 Jun 2010
For all who have paddled the Ord River Marathon, I am sure there "is a bit of a long story" and for many in the Dragons Abreast Community, the Ord River Marathon has become a kind of "pilgrimage" and a must do at some stage in their paddling career.

Fast forwarding six years to the 2010 June Long Weekend, Joanne and I would find ourselves undertaking the Ord River Marathon as part of the Penrith based Pendragons Dragons Abreast Team – "The Spirit of Friendship".

For Jenny, Joanne and myself the Ord River Marathon was something we always wanted to do. Jenny and I had travelled across the Kimberley’s in May 2001 (Jenny and Joanne had only just started dragon boat paddling) and we spent a few days in Kununarra, which included travelling down the Ord River, along the same course of the Ord River Marathon, on the "Triple J" Tour Boat (the main support boat for the Marathon, as we would find out this year).

Jenny on the Trip J Tour Boat - Ord River - 19 May 2001
So in 2004 when Jenny had co-featured in the Australian Story Episode with Michelle and various others, the Ord River was very familiar and the Ord Marathon was an event we set as a goal. Indeed for me, it was one of the reasons I started paddling.

In the Pink - Australian Story - Mon 14 Jun 2004
In the Pink - Australian Story - Mon 14 Jun 2004
Every time the opportunity presented itself to paddle the Ord River Marathon, we were always busy on some other paddling campaign and we would always say, hopefully next time. Unfortunately, Jenny passed away on the 30 June 2009.

When Joanne and I were invited by the Pendragons Dragons Abreast Team to paddle the Ord Marathon with them on Sunday of the June Long Weekend this year, we felt very privileged and a great sense of honour. Like many DA clubs, the Australian Story Episode was the catalyst for the creation of their club and the reason a number of their members started paddling.

The Spirit of Friendship - Morning Tea Break at end of the first leg - Ord River - Sun 13 Jun 2010
There were many special moments for all of us who paddled that day and we all felt a great sense of pride in completing the 4 legs of the Marathon in good time, having started at 7:30am and finishing around 4:30pm.

Morning Tea Break at the end of the First Leg - Ord River - Sun 13 Jun 2010
Joanne has used Jenny’s paddle since Jenny’s passing and for the 3rd and longest flatwater leg (15km) of the Marathon, each of the paddlers in our boat paddled with Jenny’s paddle for approximately 1 km – this seemed to help make this our strongest leg.

As we entered the Lily Lake all the Dragon Boats came together so that we would finish together. A few meters from the finish, in front of a large crowd, all six Dragon Boats rafted up and the two Dragons Abreast Crews spread some flowers across the Lily Lake, and Joanne and I scattered some of Jenny’s Ashes.

Jenny - Remembering Jenny - Ivanhoe Village Caravan Resort/Kununarra - Sun 13 Jun 2010
Congratulations to everyone who paddled their dream and added another memorable page to their life story. Also a huge thank you for everyone involved in running this great event and to the Pendragons Dragons Abreast 'Spirit of Friendship' Team for giving us the opportunity to paddle this event in Jenny’s Honour and Memory.

[Note: This article was originally published in the July 2010 Issue of Dragons Abreast Australia's Magazine In the Loop (pdf)]

The Spirit of Friendship - Back (l-r) Geoff Eldridge, Louise Blockley, Debbie Roberts, Lynne Barrass, Barb Williams, Joy Mutimer, Jan Giles, John Caldwell, Jan Caldwell, Front (l-r) Joanne Peterson, Rita Redden, Gillian Brown, Sharon Mathieson, Julie Willis - Lily Lake/Kununarra - Sun 13 Jun 2010
Joanne and Geoff - Kununarra - Sun 13 Jun 2010
Jenny overlooking Kununarra - Lookout/Kununarra - 16 May 2001

Senior Mixed 500m Final Post Race Discussion - Prague (Sat 29 Aug 2009)

World Dragon Boat Championships - Australian Senior Mixed 500m Final Post Race Discussion - Prague/Racice - Sat 29 Aug 2009
George: Guys. Some times in this World.

Lynn: We won a Gold.

George: It's been a long wait.

You Really have to pinch yourself to make sure it is real.

Lynn: I wanted to make sure you followed [..??]

Leon: The rate was too fast.

Geoff: The rating was perfect. [Geoff: not quite getting what was happening at this stage.]

Leon: The start wasn't as good as we should have. It was OK.

Lynn: When the leg drive came in, you responded most of the time.

Leon: But we still won.

George: Look, I think the important things here. I am absolutely amazed to how you adapted to my changes.

That "Rabbit out the Hat" was the winning trick. Right. We took it to the other boats.

And, as I said in the call getting upto the starting line, I am going to do as many leg drives as required, to get us home. You must have responded to at least 8 leg drives.

By the 250m mark, I looked across, .. I couldn't see anybody .. and to my shock, we were in front.

I just kept calling the leg drives and with about 150m to go, when we took it home, I knew we had it.

Lynn: And I thought we were fighting for a place.

George: It's just an amazing feeling.

[..]

George: Look, just once again guys, I am so grateful you went on this Journey with me.

Leon: And so are we.

Lynn: We would not have been anywhere else for quids.

George: Like I said, to win one medal here is a bonus. To win a Gold is ...

Rob: Guys, just one thing. I think after Sydney 2007, someone said, "Just look around with the people you paddle with because this time may never come again".

I appreciate it. This is special. Thank you. Thank you all.

And guys, to everyone who paddled out there, the Reserves, the Squad, and the rest of the Masters, and the entire Australian Team. Thank to everyone. We supported each other.

Just thought I would pull this out and put it here. Great moments.

Change [Inspiration] by Drew Ginn (11 Jun 2010)

Change by Drew Ginn (11 Jun 2007) ..

[..] Other influences have been other athletes and crews.

Some of the major shifts in perception I have experienced have come about from observing what others do.

At a critical point two athletes stood out to me more than even the guys like the Oarsome Foursome.

Richard Wearne and Rob Walker raced the pair for Australia in 1994 and 1995.

Through their performances in those years they brought the idea and the possibility of being able to mix it at the highest level in to sharp focus.

The reason for this was that when I came into the sport the likes of the Oarsome Foursome were already established and they commanded attention.

In the season of 94 I was an U23 athlete just starting out and during out domestic season I had the chance to race against Richard and Rob in small boats.

At the time they were not together in the pair but I can still remember vividly when they became selected as the pair and went on to race at the World and win the bronze medal.

I thought, wow look at what those guys did that was amazing, and I was racing against them here in Australia.

It blew my mind to think that they were that good.

To compete in the way they did and to challenge the best in the World in the pair was something that triggered inside me a sense of possibility.

I heard many stories about how they went from selection into training and how they changed from domestic athletes into international competitors.

They weren’t big like Redgrave and co. They weren’t as laid back and considered as talented like the Oarsome Foursome.

They were races and found a harmony in the boat that enabled them to fly in the pair. They took on the challenge and performed.

It showed the way for a new generation to follow. They bridged the gap that had formed behind the four.

What’s amazing was how after they broke through so many other athletes started to believe they could do it to.

The gap had finally been crossed. [..]

Another part (2nd of 3) from a Favourite Blog Post titled Change by Drew Ginn (11 Jun 2007).

The point of this is that we can be inspired and motivated by others (ignition as Dan Coyle calls it in the Talent Code). A few people have helped me Believe and have inspired me to achieve things I would never have considered possible.

I hope that others might also Believe that anything is possible if we believe and take up the challenges before us

Senior Mixed 500m Final - Prague/Day 4 - 29 Aug 2009

Video: Senior Mixed 500m Final - Prague/Day 4 - 29 Aug 2009

Premier Mixed 500m Final - Macau/China - Sat 31 Jul 2010
Premier Mixed 500m Final - Pacific Dragons - Lane 2 - Macau/China - Sat 31 Jul 2010

Macau 2010: Intention and Reflection

Intention & Reflection by Drew Ginn (7 May 2007)

What does it mean to have conscious intent?

To be fully engaged and intentionally focused is a critical ingredient for improving performance.

Maintaining a clear focus when everything becomes hazy with fatigue and stress is certainly some thing I practice.

It is something that I work on while engaged in any activity, in fact that is the greatest part you can practice it any time.

Being clear about what, how and why creates a purposeful performance and intention is that capacity to transfer thought in to action.

It is easy to switch off and go through the motions, but to stay present and aware is a challenge, at least initially.

That's why I love training by myself sometimes, it enables me to practice finding that clarity and to apply thought or mental image to action.

Reflection is important to ensure that what you intent is realised and it is upon reflection that insights are gained about how to improve each session, each stroke, each race and each season.

Clear intention is like a laser. It penetrates through the power of unity. A diffused athlete is more likely to under perform than an athlete who is clear, driven and focused.

Another blog post that I keep coming back to read.

Now that we are back from Macau, it is a good time to reflect on what was achieved and how it was done ..

CCWC Mixed 500m Final (Video Screen) - Pacific Dragons/Lane 2 - Macau/China- Sat 31 Jul 2010
Premier Mixed 500m Final - Macau/China - Sat 31 Jul 2010
CCWC Mixed 500m Final - Pacific Dragons - Macau/China- Sat 31 Jul 2010
Premier Mixed 500m Medal Presentation - Pacific Dragons/World Champions - Sun 01 Aug 2010
Pacific Dragons Premier Mixed 500m Team - Back (l-r) Geoff Eldridge, Norman Joe, Rachel Mosen, Kerry Davenport, Darren Ma, Todd Skeels, Craig Stewart, Justin Spake, Michal Hrcka, Suzy Kong, Annett Happich, Mark Hall, Lisa Green, Stuart Young, Toby Wilson, Graeme Bacon Front (l-r) Michelle Ng, Helen Papin, Christian Happich, Matt Spies, Michelle Hone, Nicola Frowen, Di Morgan, Paul Smith, Christophe Pistoni, Julia Ryall, Kathaleen Burrows - Macau/China - Sun 01 Aug 2010