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 sorted by date for query AusDBF. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query AusDBF. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Sunday, July 2, 2017
Calmness - Cadel Evans / Rupert Guinness (Sat 01 Jul 2017)
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.
Friday, April 17, 2015
Jenny - AusDBF Nationals 2004 / Perth (Fri 09 Apr 2015)
I'm often asked what is my favourite Dragon Boat momemt and there have been a few to pick from. Have left it until today, here in Perth, to say what it really is ..
My favourite dragon boat moment is Jenny in this photo ..
Jenny is ready to race for her State, for the very first time, in the NSW Women's Master Dragon Boat Team. She is ready to go and was so excited. You can see it in her face and smile.
The NSW Bus would swing by the Dragons Abreast Accomodation to pick up Jenny and Jo. And I would walk up along the river to the race site to watch the races. Dolphins frolicked in the shallow river waters to keep me entertained along the long river side walk.
It was an exciting day and the Australian title as well as the right to represent Australia at the World Championships in Shanghai was at stake. At the end of the day all NSW Teams had qualified and Jenny and Joanne were off to Shanghai in Oct 2004.
For me, I was yet to set foot onto a Dragon Boat, even though Jenny and Joanne had been paddling close to 3 years. My turn would come a month later, and the rest is history.
This is my first AusDBF Nationals here in Perth and I remember Jenny and those that were here back in Apr 2004, some of whom will be here today and tomorrow. As I said, a special moment for me in paddling and life.
All the best to everyone here in Perth for the AusDBF Nationals that start today. May you put your best races on the water and dont forget to have a great time.
Paddles up .. Geoff
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
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.
Pacific Dragons - 2009 AusDBF Dragon Boat Nationals - Kawana (Sun 26 Apr 2009)
Five years have passed and we have come full circle. Jenny (*) was with us last time and I shed a few small tears as I watched the PD Girls, paddling two short and Jo drumming, cross the line second in the Women's 500m Final. In my heart I felt her presence in one of the seats left spare for her and I knew she was there with them, making the impossible possible (*) yet again.
Lots of new faces but still a few of us who paddle on. Thanks to all.
Jasmin Keick, Kathleen Burrows, Annett Happich, Nicola Frowen, Catherine Gale, Laurette Ah Jack, Amanda Wyllie, Rachel Giang, Dianne Morgan, Rebecca Oately, Kylie Haskins, Kirsi Niinimaki, Caitlin Moffat, Jane Hill, Elizabeth Cowen, Emma Walsh, Alison Linn, Daniella Storm, Greg Oatley, Eugene Lee, Geoff Eldridge, Gavin Godfrey, Matt Spies, Paul Wilkins, Craig Stewart, Christian Happich, Stuart Young, Graeme Bacon, Albert Au, Paul Smith, Kaizer Austin, Paul Cooke, Ivan Sanchez, Tim Vose, Peter McAllister, Tony Pound
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Pacific Dragons - 2014 AusDBF Dragon Boat Nationals - Kawana (Sat 19 Apr 2014)
Jasmin Keick, Kathleen Burrows, Annett Happich, Nicola Frowen, Catherine Gale, Laurette Ah Jack, Amanda Wyllie, Rachel Giang, Dianne Morgan, Rebecca Oately, Kylie Haskins, Kirsi Niinimaki, Caitlin Moffat, Jane Hill, Elizabeth Cowen, Emma Walsh, Alison Linn, Daniella Storm, Greg Oatley, Eugene Lee, Geoff Eldridge, Gavin Godfrey, Matt Spies, Paul Wilkins, Craig Stewart, Christian Happich, Stuart Young, Graeme Bacon, Albert Au, Paul Smith, Kaizer Austin, Paul Cooke, Ivan Sanchez, Tim Vose, Peter McAllister, Tony Pound
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
On Leadership - David Foster Wallace / Dan Coyle (Wed 16 Apr 2014)
David Foster Wallace (*) writes On Leadership (*):
Deep down, you almost always like how a real leader (*) makes you feel, the way you find yourself working harder and pushing yourself and thinking in ways you couldn’t ever get to on your own.via 3 Simple Things Great Teachers Do (*) by Dan Coyle (*).
Two people who have believed (*) in me right from the very start when I thought there was nothing to believe in. And who pushed and challenged me to be more than I thought I could have ever been as a paddler and a person. They have given me so much and I am forever appreciative for that.
Thursday, March 6, 2014
On Photography as a Witness to Life - Kirk Tuck (Tue 05 Mar 2014)
Kirk Tuck (*) writes:
The images are self contained historical artifacts that I use to prove to myself that I've lived and experienced (*) the things I have. [..]via The mindset of one photographer (*) by Kirk Tuck (*).
We are all on a journey (*) through life and the only important thing in my mind is to understand (*) where I've been and where I might be going. The camera helps me keep track of my progress.
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Remembering Jenny - IDBF World Championships / Qingpu / China (Oct 2004)
Four years ago just now. We remember you, Jenny (*). You are always there for us as you guide and inspire us from above.
Joanne, she would be so proud of you and what you have achieved these last four years. It's been tough, tougher than most people could imagine. Just like Jenny, you are an inspiration and I look forward to seeing you carry the Australian Flag in Szeged (*) on Tue 23 Jul 2013. Go Joanne!!!
Thursday, June 13, 2013
On Determination - Shawn Heidgen / Training Peaks (Wed 12 Jun 2013)
Shawn Heidgen (*) writes On Determination (*):
No one makes it to the top without overcoming obstacles that would push most people to quit. It is that mental determination (*) and the ability to endure that makes the difference between success (*) and failure (*).via The Power of Perseverance (*) by Shawn Heidgen (*).
On Confidence - Shawn Heidgen / Training Peaks (Wed 12 Jun 2013)
Sunday, June 2, 2013
On Confidence - Drew Ginn (Tue 17 Mar 2009)
Drew Ginn (*) talks On Confidence (*):
iNflating or deFLating confidence happens all the time. Do you notice how others can have such and influence on your own confidence, and that is not to mention how much your own self talk can magnify what others say and do. [..]via Confidence Balloons(*)o by Drew Ginn (*).
I have reflected on moments during my life when someone has said something that has boosted my confidence and when someone has drained my confidence with something they have said.
I did a great RPM class (*) today and for some reason i came out of the class and thought of this post that Drew made way back in March 2009. Vincent gave us so much today and for me it was mostly about giving us the confidence to push ourselves past our perceived maximums and achieve new levels of fitness, no matter who we were or why we were there.
I also know this thing about confidence to be true based on my paddling experiences.
When I first started out at PDs in 2005, I received an email from one of the coaches welcoming me to the club and team, adding that they felt I would make a positive contribution. It was only a couple of words but it helped motivate me to be the best I could with the limited experience I had at the time.
Eight years on now, and I am always surprised what a few words can do to lift my failing self-confidence. It happened a couple time this year and the people who boosted my confidence probably had no idea how much they contributed to help push me on.
Another occurrence this year was in the AusDBF National Premier Opens 500m Final (*) where Darren our sweep calls with 150m to go, that you are doing it (*). An amazingly appropriate and uplifting call to make when we were a nose behind and the last part of the race to finish off. Without those four words I am sure it would have been a different result. They gave us the confidence to know that we were there and he believed in us to take It home and to nudge our nose across the line first.
I always try to be positive and as realistic as the situation allows, and I hope that I have helped raise the confidence of a few others over the years. I guess in some way that means I might have more self-confidence than I give myself credit for :-). Hey, nice positive self-talk Geoff.
I am just also reminded of this little incident (*) which was one of the highlights of the USA 2011 Trip (*).
On the other side of the coin I also have learnt what deflates confidence and contributes to a "sub-optimal" performance. I know and remember these times and try to ensure that if they do occur again, that they don't affect me as much as they have done in the past.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
On Letting Go - Wade Wallace / cyclingtips (Tue 14 May 2013)
Wade Wallace (*) writes On Letting Go (*):
releasing expectations will often reward you with unconditional enjoyment and sometimes surprise.The Big 4-0 (*) by cyclingtips (*).
A remarkably succinct and insightful observation on how to approach life. The older I get, the more I know this to be true. Happy 40th Wade.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Five One Hundredths of a Second - 500m Premier Opens Final - AusDBF Nats / Penrith (Fri 19 Apr 2013)
Once, twice or, maybe three times (if you are fortunate enough and willing to take the risks) in a paddling career you do something unbelievable. Something you just can’ t explain, though sometimes it worth giving it a try. Here goes ..
You are happy you have made the major final. You know you are up against strong teams. The favourite, the team directly on your left, you have not beaten in three years. In fact you have not been within a boat length, over 500m, for the last two years. Against the odds, and your failing self-confidence, you still somehow believe that we can still get across the line first. To be part of of something great. There is always hope at the start. It is a chance to create who you want to be. You don't get your hopes up too high, as you have been disappointed in the past. You don't think about all of this too much at this point. The focus is putting your best race on the water and seeing how it compares to the others when you have all crossed the line. You are not overly nervous, but you are excited and proud to be there. A supportive and encouraging tap on the knee for those around you. Remember it is a 30 stroke start. Just focus on the first 3 strokes and take it one by one from there. Clean water. Hand out of the water. Blade buried. Make sure you feel and stay connected with the water with every stroke. The starter aligns us and we ready. "Paddlers, are you ready, attention please" .... the gun does not fire for some reason. This has happened a few time before over the years. Keep your focus, no distractions. We will be away soon. Refocus, lets do it again - 30 Start, first 3, deep and clean - feel the water. "Paddlers, are you ready, attention please" ... "GO". You Go on the "G". 1-2-3, up, up, .. 10, up, up, .. 20, up, up, ..7,..30, reach, reach, hinge, hinge. The boat is up and running and there is something there. We are hingeing and driving through the stroke. The boat is more than running, it is been driven through the stroke like it has felt in training over last few weeks, except this time it is race intensity, not level 4, Remember this Geoff, Remember this moment. We are there next to them, where usually they pull away here, but we talked about staying connected. Give it everything to the 250m and refocus. Somehow, we are sttil there at the 250m. Refocus and reinvent yourself, I think. Drive, Drive is the call, We are still there, connected. You have a 6th sense (and good hearing) and you know without looking that our drummers are side by side. Passing the 200m start hut and the little red lane marker buoy. There is something uplifting in our Sweep's voice - "you are doing it". The lane buoys turn to red - we are 100m out. We have done everything our training has given our bodies - it's amazing to find that something extra that the sport scientists say should not be there. Mentally, prepare for the lift home. This is the most crucial part of the race - they are probably a nose ahead. We are going to have to do something amazing - something the other teams have pulled on us often over the years. "do it for the gold (or was it girls?)" is the call. We lift. We lift. The rate comes up a touch and the boat becomes light as we surge forward with every stroke - narrowing the margin. It is all clear as day, those last few strokes. You give it everything you've got when there is nothing to give. You cross the line, you hear the finish horn blast away in succussion. You look across and you know you have done it. The look in your competitors faces tell you that they know you have also done it and you take a few quiet moments to take it all in, while some of the others around you show their elation more jubilantly. Gasping for air, you touch the same knees as you did before the start. This time the "ritual" tap is to acknowledge your team mates efforts and the fact that you have done something that does not happen that often in a paddling career. "Three cheers for the other crews" is the call from our Drummer - three "hip hip". and a breathless "hooray". We bring the boats in and we all get off. Back slaps and hugs all around. Not even a second thought who won that one as you make your way through the other 180 or so paddlers you have just competed against. You smile and for some reason laugh. This kind of win does not happen that often - "take it in", "take it in" you say to yourself. You see many familiar faces as you walk through the line. They are happy for you. Many you have experienced some amazing experiences around the world in Australian Campaigns past and you hope that the journey with them will continue. Somewhere along the way you hear that we did it by five one hundredths of a second. You know the course well and you smile that you can pick such a small amount of time moments after crossing the line. What a race. You think to yourself, "it's not that we won it, it is how we won it" – it's just not what was expected by many (including yourself) and that is the beauty of dragon boat racing - the randomness and uncertainty to some extent. The boat has never felt like that out of the start and into the transition. You think to yourself, you have never paddled like that before. You feel fortunate that you took the risk to be there, you did the training, the testing, you've put yourself on the line time and time again. You have been crushed by the ramifications of defeat and oddly enough, those one or two other once in a life time victories . At the end of the day you know that it is worth the sacrifices you make to do what you have done, do and hope to do. Maybe this is not the end, but a new beginning ..I will leave this unedited. It’s just a stream of thought that came out of my subconscious in the last 20 mins. Hope it makes sense and it will be fun to read, many year’s into the future.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
On Goal Setting - Making our Bests Even Better - Adam van Koeverden (Sat 30 Jun 2012)
On Goal Setting, Adam van Koeverden (*) writes (*):
my goal is always the same.
I just want to race my very best.
I want to cross the finish line knowing that I couldn’t have gone any faster.
I want to be sure my tank is totally empty, that I executed a perfect race with great, efficient technique and made all these thousands of kilometers in training worthwhile.
That’s why we train so hard, to make our bests even better.
[ I wrote the following late last Sat Night after observing the 3rd Anniversary of Jenny's passing. I decided at the time not to post it, but I figured I need to stop worrying about what people might think of my writings here. This is from my heart and I hope it shows. We are lucky to be doing what we are doing and I am thankful the opportunities and experiences that we make for each other. ]
Today we fly out to Hong Kong for the 2012 World Club Crew Dragon Boat Championships which start on Wednesday and finish on Sunday. This will be my 9th International Event and the third with my Club. So here are a few Thank You's and Observations.
Hong Kong has been a long term goal for many people in the Club. We virtually have everyone going, so to me that indicates we are a unified group that believes in and supports each other. This is true essence of a strong Team and being a Team Player.
It has been fantastic for us to train with purpose and intent with full crews for the last 11 weeks or so.
With a handful of our paddlers flying out yesterday, Thursday night was our last full strength session of the campaign - I was a little sad as we paddled in at end of the session, knowing that it will be a long time before we will train, as a Club, as we have during this Campaign.
I thank my coaches and team mates for their dedication to the Campaign.
The logistics of the campaign have been handled seamlessly and brilliantly from where I sit. Those involved know who they are and I thank them for their amazing job. To organise 60 or so people is no mean feat. Well done.
We have been coached brilliantly and we have trained hard on and off water. The squad is our strongest to participate at a World Club Crews since our first in Penang in 2008.
I hope for many, your goal for Hong Kong is to go and create a fantastic experience for yourself and ourselves. We are creating memories to last a life time.
For some it will be their first International event, while for others, it will another of many. We can all inspire and learn from each other no matter who we are.
There will be different experiences for each one of us and how we respond to them defines who we are and who we will become. Some things will go our/your way and others will not. There is a randomness to it all. There will be feelings of elation, disappointment and every emotion in between. This is what Dragon Boating is all about and big international events like this can magnify these emotions and their impact. My experience (and I have felt it all) and advice with all of this is to be mindful of others and to remember the Sport and our Club is based on the spirit of team work.
I can say that I go with an open heart and mind. For Jo and I, Jenny guides and inspires us from above and she is there for every stroke and moment along the way.
Finally, have fun and in the spirit of Adam's words above, lets put our best races on the water and make our bests even better, no matter what Team you are in. That would be just reward to all for the effort and sacrifice we (and our Families and Friends) have made to able to participate in our sport, against the best in the world, at such a high level event.
Go the Mighty PD's.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
NSW Masters State Dragon Boat Squad - AusDBF Nats 2012 - Docklands / Melbourne (Sun 01 Apr 2012)
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