Cadel Evans on Calmness:
Stay calm. Enjoy the race. Do your bestvia Tour de France 2017: Cadel Evans tells Richie Porte to 'stay calm' and cycle on by Rupert Guinness.
Showing posts with label Pacific Dragons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pacific Dragons. Show all posts
Sunday, July 2, 2017
Calmness - Cadel Evans / Rupert Guinness (Sat 01 Jul 2017)
Thursday, December 17, 2015
On Embracing the Present - Thai Nguyen (Tue 15 Dec 2015)
Thai Nguyen on Embracing the Present:
There’s no point dwelling in the past and letting it define you, nor getting lost and anxious about the future. But in the present moment, you’re in the field of possibility - how you engage with the present moment will direct your life.via 10 Powerful Life Lessons from The Alchemist by Thai Nguyen.
Never a better place to embrace the present, than the moments before, during and after a Dragon Boat race.
Friday, October 9, 2015
On the Joy of Paddling - Honolulu (Sun 10 Sep 2011)
Paddling has changed my life. It has given me so much Joy. It has given me purpose and goals through the good and tough times.
Going back to Hawaii just now for the biggest paddling challenge for an Outrigger Paddler. Thanks to all who have supported and encouraged us to get to this Moment (yes it's just there now ready for us to firmly grasp with both hands). It takes much effort by many people. It can be hard, uncomfortable and difficult but that's why you do it.
Hoping we might be able to catch a few runners just like we did here off the beach in Sep 2011, and minimise the mistakes as we do the 66 km crossing with 110 crews from all over the world. See you on the other side, all going well ..
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
On Happiness - Memories - Iain S. Thomas / I Wrote this for You (Wed 26Aug 2015)
Iain S. Thomas on Happiness and Memories:
Happiness isn't forgetting. Happiness is finding new things to remember.via The Haunted Quiet by Iain S. Thomas.
So obviously true, but mostly forgotten or neglected. Thanks for the timely reminder, Iain.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Outrigger Canoe Paddling Technique (OC6)
A couple of good calls I make as an outrigger steerer to refocus the crew on technique and timing is:
Top Hand Over Bottom And Top Hands Down TogetherVisualise this photo when one or both of these calls are made and you will know what is being asked for - A part of the quality in the stroke and crew blending.
Timing should come mostly from feel and a good visual cue is to synchronise your top hand driving down at the same time as those in front of you. Also helps keep the head up to maximise the breathing efficiency.
Top hand over bottom can help get your paddle side shoulder out and extended along the side of the canoe, soemthing we have been focusing on lately.
Monday, June 15, 2015
More On Trying - Iain S. Thomas (Tue 02 Jun 2015)
Iain S. Thomas on Trying:
I've been told I'm special in so many different ways my entire life, why should I have to try, and continue to educate myself, try, and maintain a healthy marriage, try, and exercise, try, and work to accomplish something -- anything -- great?This is one of the hardest illusions in the world to break. I am not special and I need to try if I want anything. There is nothing sad about that. The only happiness, joy and beauty that isn't temporary, that will nourish your soul and make you feel human and connected to yourself, is found in realizing that you actually have to try.
Saturday, May 23, 2015
On Dreams and Happiness - Garry Kasparov (Sat 16 May 2015)
Garry Kasparov on Dreams and Happiness:
If you always have a dream, the happiest day of your life is never over.
via Saint Louis University 2015 Spring Commencement Address - May 16, 2015 by Garry Kasparov.
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Enjoy Life - Bronnie Ware (Sun 05 Apr 2015)
Bronnie Ware on Life
Change is constant. We make it easiest on ourselves by accepting that fact. Our ability in letting go of the need for control, giving up the insistence that things have to be a certain way, is a courageous gift of freedom.via Enjoy Life by Bronnie Ware.It is also a gift of love and gratitude. By surrendering to life, accepting that change is a natural part of the flow, we learn to appreciate the moment for what it is.[..]
Life really is such a short and precious gift. It can also change unexpectedly in one tiny moment. So please, love yourself enough to commit to enjoying your life. Make decisions that support your happiness – your genuine, heartfelt happiness.
Monday, February 23, 2015
La Perouse OC6 Regatta - Pacific Dragons Open Crew (Sat 14 Feb 2015)
Gav writes:
This is the footage from the race. Look, its perhaps not that interesting and drags on a bit but the music is good. I am sending it as we actually have a shark caught on video (see from 1:41). First time ever for the PDs I think. Stu and I noticed it swim past. Footage of it is not that great, but just as good as most bigfoot clips.A great day for our Club.
Also, you will find the last 2 minutes very entertaining. I promise.
You can watch it in HD by changing the settings
Friday, February 6, 2015
Pacific Dragons - Long Course Open Crew / Gunnammatta Bay / Cronulla(Sun 01 Feb 2015)
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Give it Everything - Cameron Wurf (Thu 25 Dec 2014)
Cameron Wurf (*) writes on Giving it Everything (*):
give it everything you have to get the best possible result you can achieve. That way when you cross the line you have no regrets because you've given it all you have and you can now relax and enjoy what you've just done, win or lose.via Socal ing with Cal! (*) by Cameron Wurf (*).
Happy New Year.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Downwind Session - Whosus - Port Kembla to Shellharbour (Sat 29 Nov 2014)
An amazing session. A bit of a sample of what it was like here (a long past post from Oct 2009. That video I have on my PC since 2008 before we even had Whosus). Thanks Michelle for the great photos, and Annett and Michelle for making it happen.
Resuming normal transmission, hopefully, following a technical glitch and a bit of a break.
Friday, October 24, 2014
On Numbers and Performance - Vernon Gambetta (Thu 23 Oct 2014)
Functional Path Training (*) writes on Numbers (*) and Performance (*):
Numbers need context. Numbers are one dimensional, human performance is multidimensional. We must focus on the human element, the athlete; they are not integers in an equation.via It’s Still Just A Number (*) by Vernon Gambetta (*).
The numbers always tell a story if you know how to look at them.
The trained eye can see more than the numbers. They see the elements that create them - the environment, human performance and emotion they reflect. I've learnt so much from the numbers and I know how to read them for the sport I have been participating for almost ten years now - an example (*).
I've also seen how the environment, physical and mental reflect their way into performance and as a result, the numbers. I guess it's called experience. You can sit back and let experiences pass you by without even noticing. But if you stop and reflect on the experience, you will remember the how's and the why's of the result. They feed back into future experiences and you will improve.
I do know what Vern talks about though. The numbers are a guide and should not be the be and end all. You have to be there to see how the human element influenced the performance, which are reflected in the numbers. It's the context Vernon talks about.
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Be Audacious - Ravenna 2014
Creature of habit, but I like this routine. Always go to Blackwattle Bay on the last Sunday before we leave to compete. I walk, take a few photos (*), read, think and reflect. And this time I wrote something, so here it is ..
I’ve been thinking lately about how every year seems to be different. It's natural. With time, things do change and I thought that this was the only reason things appeared to change. But you know what, even if everything did stay the same, it is still different, because you are different. You see things differently because you are a year older and all that goes with that, if you are doing something with your life.
With that rather random introduction (but I think there might be something in it), I thank everyone at Pacific Dragons for making Ravenna 2014 (*) happen.
How does such a small club get itself half way across the world to compete against the best clubs in the world?
It takes a thought, a dream, a goal, some intention, commitment and dedication. That's part of what it takes and the Club has lots of this and all the other things needed to be competing at our 4th consecutive World Club Crew Championships. I thank you all.
So with another candle on the cake, and with two sessions to go, I've come to love and appreciate this part of the campaign. I’ve been thinking lately:
- You know you are being coached by the best in the world - I told the boys this at the AB when we met in Feb this year, that alone is a good enough reason to buy in on the campaign.
- You feel fit and you know the effort is paying off – a conversion and gelling process is happening. After 70 or so water sessions, we are doing some really intense sets now. Things you just could not do, even a few months ago – and you thought were pretty good back then
- It’s scary but you love it.
- More so now, it’s not just what you are doing, it’s what you are thinking, what you believe.
- It’s not just to do your best, but to go beyond that and to give it everything.
- It’s not just for you, but for everyone who has loved, supported and helped you to get to this point.
What is it like to be a World Champion?I did not know what to say (and it was the reason I sent out that Five One Hundreths of Second (*) Post on FB after the meeting). And, I'm not sure that it is even the right question, but I did say something like this:
It's one step at a time. It is great to feel like you are in the game. You can’t expect to win, it’s not your fate or destiny to win and you definitely can’t just hope to win. You have to try. And you have to have confidence and belief in yourself, your support network and your team. [1]and with that I concluded:
Be Audacious!!! [1]And, so I am and so I think we all should be ..
Regards .. Geoff
[1] the essence of these thoughts came from a great blog post (*) I had just read at that time by a Canadian Olympic Kayaker, Adam Van Koeverden (*). For me, he is Canada’s Drew Ginn (*), both who are inspirations to me.
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Is first place the only way to get to where you're going? - Seth Godin (Fri 15 Aug 2014)
From yesterdays post (*), Seth Godin (*) asks:
Is first place the only way to get to where you're going?A very good question.
And I know of one response (*) through experience (*).
More specifically, from an earlier post (*)..
Julia Ryall (*) writes On Performance (*) and Expectation (*) amongst other things:And even more so now. Thanks Julia.Performance (*) is not about crossing the line first, it is about having great plan, the right preparation (*), the ability to execute the plan (*) well on the day, realistic expectations (*) and an ability to celebrate (*) the performance rather than the placing.via PDdb - DB Paddling Update: The ultimate performance is a greater reward than first place by Julia Ryall (*).
Written, what now seems so long ago, but still so right and relevant. Almost six years on, and so many amazing experiences (*) in between, these words makes much more sense now than they did back then.
Friday, August 15, 2014
The Pacific Dragons 2014 Inspire Award in the Memory of Jenny Petterson - Glebe/Sydney (Sat 09 Aug 2014)
Julia Ryall (*) is the 2014 Inspire Award (*) Winner. She is an amazing person and a most worthy recipient. Here are a few words in support:
Julia has been a member of the club for over 10 years now. She has been the Women’s Dragon Coach for at least 10 years and as such a member of the committee also. She has therefore been a key contributor the functioning of the club, and the creation and shaping of its culture - it's values and ideals [along with our dreams].Congratulations Julia.
Most importantly Julia provides Inspiration to all in her leadership role.
[Leadership and] Inspiration is the key to allowing people to achieve things that deep down we know we can, but often can’t achieve on our own.
The writer David Foster Wallace describes this kind of Leadership as a “mysterious quality, hard to define, but we always know it when we see”. So for me, I know I have seen it with Julia. Rarely I have seen it, experienced it in the community I live, my workplace or the sports I have participated, but feel fortunate to have experienced and seen that mysterious quality through Julia.
She has always been there for us. Sometimes it is hard to be leader, but a real leader does not shy away from difficult decisions, particularly when it is the best for the team.
This year Julia was not able to paddle due to the impending arrival of their first child, Zach. This did not stop her from being on the front of the boat, when she could, coaching us to be the best we can. Drawing out of us, what we knew we could always do, but were afraid to face, maybe due to a lack of self-belief or the fear of failing.
In February, I was privileged to see Julia at her natural best, to motivate the PD’s Women’s team prior to their record 8th time win of the CNY. Her pre-race talk was completely inspiring and there was not dry eye and everyone knew what they had to do to become who they always knew they could be. And, many feel the successful result of that day would not have been achieved without Julia’s leadership, her words, her inspiration. She inspired the team to be achieve what they always knew they could do.
There are dozens of other instances of this and one I can fondly recount is her role as co-Campaign and sole-Regatta [Head] Coach for Macau 2010. She lead us to be the World Club Champions for the Premier Mixed 500m Event. Again her pre-race talk, motivated us to believe in ourselves to become world champions that day.
Julia creates, leads, unifies and motivates a team, and the individuals within it. She is the true essence of the word inspiration.
When the swell and the wind combine to treat us to runners,
when the boat run is magical and the sun shines on our backs,
when the water is warm and dolphins swim beside us,
when a rainbow forms overhead or gold hangs warmly on our chests,
when there is a splash, a laugh, a smile or an embrace,
when each individual feels a sense of achievement and
when the team is proud…
We will think of Jen. And, she’ll be there, smiling, shining, sharing the moment.
Always.
Julia Ryall - Tue 30 Jun 2009
Monday, June 2, 2014
On Competing - The Story of Telling (Mon 02 Jun 2014)
The Story of Telling (*) writes On Competing (*):
What would the world look like if you focused on doing the work as if today was the last time you would get to do it? Allow the noise from the competition to fade into the background. In your heart and mind become the market of one.via No Business Is In A Market Of One (*) by The Story of Telling (*).
I have got back on the OC1 (*) this last week and I am loving it - it is just what my training needs at the moment as we prepare for Hamilton Island (in two weeks) and Italy (in September).
As is usual, when you are on the OC1, it is all about you. No where to hide, so you feel a little exposed and vulnerable. How will you compare ?
I have been thinking about this lately as when I am doing the L4 Interval Sessions with the others, I just try to focus on myself. I do this by keeping just a little away from the others and doing my own line down the course. The challenge for me is to do these sets with the others beside me. Try to focus on myself, yet at the same time trying to compete (*) and be the best I can without getting distracted. I hope this post makes sense.
Afterthoughts: Two athletes I have learnt a lot from in this area of thought are Adam van Koeverden (*) and Drew Ginn (*) as well as my own club coaches (*) [more to come shortly]. These eljeiffel search links are definitely worth following.
Saturday, May 3, 2014
On the Journey - Seth Godin (Fri 02 May 2014)
Seth Godin (*) writes On Giving (*):
In the infinite game (*), though, something completely different is going on. In the infinite game, the point is to keep playing, not to win (*). In the infinite game, the journey (*) is all there is. And so, players in an infinite game never stop giving so they can take. [..]via The short game, the long game and the infinite game (*) by Seth Godin (*).
You certainly know people who play this game, you may well have been touched (*) by them, inspired (*) by them and taught (*) by them. The wrong question to ask is, "but how do they win?" The right way to understand it is, "but is it worth playing?"
I see people like this in my club (*) and as is always the case, Seth is ever so right in his observations on life. And I know, by these experiences in my club (*), exactly what he means.
Sunday, April 27, 2014
On the Challenge of Change - Viktor Frankl via Vernon Gambetta (Sun 27 Apr 2014)
Viktor E Frankl (*) writes challenge (*) of unavoidable change (*):
When we are no longer able to change (*) a situation, we are challenged (*) to change ourselves.via Some Random Thoughts on Sports, Coaching and Life (*) by Vernon Gambetta (*).
Had to face a few unavoidable changes in my time, and this is a brilliant summary of the only to move forward, even if there a few steps back.
The thing to remember is to keep moving forward (*)
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
On Performance - Julia Ryall / PDdb (Tue 04 Nov 2008)
Julia Ryall (*) writes On Performance (*) and Expectation (*) amongst other things:
Performance (*) is not about crossing the line first, it is about having great plan, the right preparation (*), the ability to execute the plan (*) well on the day, realistic expectations (*) and an ability to celebrate (*) the performance rather than the placing.via PDdb - DB Paddling Update: The ultimate performance is a greater reward than first place by Julia Ryall (*).
Written, what now seems so long ago, but still so right and relevant. Almost six years on, and so many amazing experiences (*) in between, these words makes much more sense now than they did back then.
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