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.
Don't Wonder "What if?" - Jenny P
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.

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.

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

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?"

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 (*).

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 (*).




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 (*).

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 (*).

it’s almost impossible to win a race without having the confidence (*) to do so.via The Power of Perseverance (*) by Shawn Heidgen (*).
Being clear minded should be an important objective going into the Games [Championships]. Once again though, it is critical to feel focused and occupied and to avoid falling into the human tendency to start overanalyzing. It has been suggested that "nothing never happens"; in the absence of a constructive focus our minds sometimes start "over-thinking" or "over-perceiving."He concludes with the following:
- Enjoy the emotional spectrum that is part of life.
- Accept and experience feelings, let them go, and channel the energy into growth and effective responses.
- Respect the power and positive and negative significance of emotions on your system.
- Manage relationships and time so that you do not become emotionally drained at key times in your life, especially when working hard physically and mentally.
- Let go of irrational beliefs and perspectives.
- Reaffirm your mission, values, and perspective.
- Live. Never have to say, "I wish I would have ..."
An athlete should be confident in mental skills going into the Games [Championships]. Responses to stress and boredom should automatically be constructive, and time and relationship skills should be crisp and effective. Creative simulations, quality training sessions, and lead-up competitions can help ensure the rust is off attention and competitive skills during the countdown.
I would say to each of our Olympic athletes: Walk away knowing you gave it your best shot and exulted in the opportunity to test yourself in one of the most prestigious and emotional environments in the world. Accept that you can never totally control your emotions that is part of the challenge of being human. With emotional preparation, practice, and management we can often come closer to our situational potential.Definitely worth a read. Take from it what you can for your own mental preparation.
Compete with passion, perspective, and preparation and be all you can be as you pursue your Olympic destiny. I wish you physical prowess, a clear mind, and an unburdened heart. Citius, Altius, Fortius! [The Olympic Motto]

















































































