It's whoever has worked the hardest and smartest who will win - Anders Gustafsson (Sun 22 Aug 2010)

Anders Gustafsson (twitter) World Champion Kayaking K1 500m 2010 (youtube - Tweet)

Anders Gustafsson - K1 500m - 2010 ICF World Championships - Poznan/Poland - (Sun 22 Aug 2010)

A transcription of the video follows:

Anders Gustafsson (twitter): Hi, this is Anders Gustafsson. Tomorrow I will leave for the [2010] World Championships in Poland.

It's been really [difficult] training here in Sweden leading into the World Championships.

This is a pretty normal day (very windy and cold). Can't say it has been the best.

All my time trials have been really slow. That wont affect me too much. I will still go to Poland with a strong heart.

A flashback to the 2009 World Championships:

Commentator: 7/100 of a sec. That was the difference between Gustafsson and the German Rahue at the finish. And the Swedish settle for another silver this world championships.

Anders Gustafsson (twitter): Yesterday I was so happy over my Silver. But today I can't help to think about how close it was. Sadly I didn't win.

I'm stoked but still what little extra fuel to work even harder. I will try to make sure next time that I will be the best. I want to be world champion.

It's a huge difference in being 2nd in the world and being world champion.

I dream about the day when I can say that I am world champion.

I still think about the close race in 2009 sometimes.

I get over it by working even harder and to try and make sure that next time I have the inches on my side.

And in kayaking it's not luck that decides who wins.

It's whoever has worked the hardest and smartest who will win.

At the end, we go back to Anders in Sweden before leaving for Poland.

Anders Gustafsson (twitter): This has only made me harder and tougher and hopefully that will show in the race in Poland.

Twitter - Limitations - Mitch Joel (Fri 31 Mar 2017)

Be Nice - Victoria Markets / Melbourne (Thu 30 Mar 2017)

Mitch Joel on Twitter:

There is a charm in its [twitter] limitation. There is a beauty in that simplicity. It means so much more

via The Power Of Limitations by Mitch Joel.

On Uncomfortableness and Growth - Steve Magness (Sun 02 Aug 2015)

Water - La Perouse (Mon 29 Jul 2002)

Steve Magness on Uncomfortableness and Growth:

One of the best lessons I've learned, is to put yourself in uncomfortable, anxiety inducing situations; they are where we grow as a person.

via twitter by Steve Magness via Checking in from the Airport by Patrick McHugh.

On Perceptions (7 years on) - Drew Ginn (Thu 03 Apr 2014)

Untitled - Amsterdam (Tue 20 Aug 2014)
Drew Ginn (*) writes On Perceptions (*):

Simply results (*) and perceptions (*) of performances (*) stick.. Good or bad ones last and seem to require more contrasting ones to change.

via twitter (*) by Drew Ginn (*).

I know exactly about this - one perceived bad performance (*), without understanding (*) the why (*), will never be recovered from. The good ones are never noticed (*) or acknowledged (*) or are dismissed as luck (*) or a fluke (*).

Just some of my experiences over the years. But, that is what makes it character building and one the reasons I keep doing what I do. Failure (*) drives success (*), if you are tenacious (*) and can forgive (*). The journey continues no matter what ...

On Perception - Drew Ginn (Tue 01 May 2007)

Den lille Havfrue (*) - The Little Mermaid - Copenhagen (Fri 23 Aug 2013)
Drew Ginn (*) writes On Perception (*):

It’s a fine line between success (*) and failure (*). In fact I could even argue that they are one in the same. That really the difference between experiences (*) that we judge as successful or as failure comes down to our perception (*).

via G get t THe g GLIDE R riGht (*) by Drew Ginn (*).

Just over seven years ago since Drew's posted this one. Could relate to it from the paddling point of view and it would take some time to fully understand all of what he was saying back then. Experiences (*) bring a lot to what you learn (*) and retain. Miss his blog posts (*) now, though he does post (*) on twitter a bit.

What is a workout? Rob Rowland-Smith - Jeremey Rolleston (Feb 2011)

In his book A Life that Counts, Jeremy Rolleston introduces us to trainer Rob Rowland-Smith. A bit of searching on the Internet and you will find Rob as the SandhillWarrior on Twitter. He certainly impressed Jeremy (as well as me - see here) with his inspirational words and quotes. On pages 136 and 137 of his book, Jeremy quotes Rob's long version of What is a Workout (the short version appeared here a few days ago) as follows:

Here’s a quote by inspirational trainer Rob Rowland-Smith. He wrote it in the context of a workout, but for me, it epitomises the journey, process and outcomes of a committed and disciplined life. I placed it on the front page of my Olympic training folder so I’d read it often, and most times, I read it before I worked out so I’d be better able to discipline myself and work hard enough to achieve what I wanted to achieve during that training session:

"What is a workout?

A workout is 25% perspiration and 75% determination.

Stated another way, it is one part physical exertion and three parts self-discipline.

Doing it is easy once you get started.

A workout makes you better today than you were yesterday.

It strengthens the body, relaxes the mind and toughens the spirit.

When you workout regularly, your problems diminish and your confidence grows.

A workout is a personal triumph over laziness and procrastination.

It is the badge of a winner – the mark of an organised, goal-oriented person who has taken charge of his or her destiny.

A workout is a wise use of time and an investment in excellence.

It is a way of preparing for life's challenges and proving to yourself that you have what it takes to do what is necessary.

A workout is a key that helps unlock the door to opportunity and success.

Hidden within each of us is an extraordinary force.

Physical and mental fitness are triggers that can release it.

A workout is a form of rebirth.

When you finish a good workout, you don’t simply feel better ... you feel better about yourself."

Rob completes this with the following words:

To follow your dreams takes commitment ... and this means discipline.

Some great words here and they will certainly help me focus on what is needed when working towards a Dream.

When you workout regularly, your problems diminish and your confidence grows. - Jenny and Deb Cooper stroking with George sweeping - DBNSW 2008 Development Squad - Blackwattle Bay / Sydney (Sun 26 Oct 2008)
When you finish a good workout, you don’t simply feel better ... you feel better about yourself." - DBNSW 2008 Development Squad - Blackwattle Bay / Sydney (Sun 26 Oct 2008)

In The Same Boat - Kamini Jain and FCRCC

In The Same Boat - Kamini Jain and FCRCC
A great clip from the soon to be released movie In The Same Boat featuring Kamini Jain and the False Creek River Canoe Club (FCRCC).

I have another video coming that features Kamini talking about the stroke that you see in this clip (just follow the Kamini Jain tag to find the technique video).

Definitely worth looking at this clip in slow motion to see what is going on - watch for the Hinge, Rotation and the top hand position through the stroke. Over the last 12 months, my club has adopted some aspects of the stroke, so this is a great way to visualise the stroke. Lots to learn here.

Not sure when the film will be released, but there is a Facebook page which seems to be active as well as a blog and a twitter account (not so active). The catch cry for the film ..

In life and in sport, we paddle hard - young or old, warm or cold, rain or shine to the finish line, because we are, all of us, IN THE SAME BOAT.

On Pressure - Frank Dick (Tue 20 May 2014)

Untitled - The Photographers Gallery (*) / London (Sat 17 Aug 2013)
Frank Dick (*) writes On Pressure (*):

When you've pushed to the edge and the pressure (*) is on, it's not about holding onto the edge but pushing beyond it. There's always more to give.

via twitter (*) by Frank Dick (*).

Been there in paddling and life, and proud of my response.

Anders Gustafsson AG79 - Celebrating a Great Season

Anders Gustafsson AG79: The Sequel
If you liked It's whoever has worked the hardest and smartest who will win, then you will love this one (the end of season sequel).

Found this from Anders (analog79) twitter update today:

"No, my ego hasn't totally grown out of proportion. I'm just trying to share some paddling inspiration. http://fb.me/CCyX90ba (Youtube)"

Certainly is inspirational stuff and I think he is allowed to celebrate his great season. All Warriors of Light know this (see here). Specifically:

".. the warrior knows why he is celebrating. He is savouring the best gift that victory can bring: confidence.

He celebrates yesterday's victory in order to gain more strength for tomorrow's battle."

[ Note: Music ("Mind Heist") by Zack Hemsey from the soundtrack of Inception. ]

AG Kayaking X (andersg79)

AG Kayaking X by andersg79
A 2008 youtube video from Anders Gustafsson (twitter). Just about to pass 10,000 views on youtube.

First video closing in on 10000 views - today? Suitable named "X" today X stands for 10-thousand. analog79 (09 Jan 2011)

Backing song is Rebellion (Lies) by Arcade Fire (youtube video)

Change: Give me the .. by The Sandhill Warrior (Jun 2009)

Give me the courage, tenacity & positivity to change that which I can...(with a smile on my face!) (15 Jun 2009)

Give me the serenity, humility & tolerance to accept that which I cannot... (16 Jun 2009)

And give me the wisdom, humbleness & strength to know the difference. (17 Jun 2009)

SandhillWarrior (Rob Rowland-Smith)

Amazing what you can stumble upon. The message and timing of the above twitter quotes (posted over three days by Rob Rowland-Smith) mean something to me. I made a post from that time of our lives with some photos (a few of them below) titled:

• The night before brain surgery .. (Sun 07 Mar 2010)

The above quotes reflect much of what I knew I needed in myself for what would turn out to be Jenny's last two weeks of her life. All my life experiences, my training as I called it, helped me to be the best I could be to support Jenny (and Joanne) during this time of Jenny's life.

I look back at this time as my Life's Purpose. I knew this from the very moment Jenny told me she had breast cancer, way back in March 1996. We were incredibly Lucky to have so long together. An incredible life together.

Jenny - 'A little tidy up of Jenny's hair - it was always my job to do this.' - Kirrawee - 16 Jun 2009 (picasa)
Jenny, Joanne, David and Geoff - "Jenny takes a photo of us all just before she heads out to have a 4cm brain tumor removed. She had no fear and looked forward to quickly recovering to resume the treatment of the tumors in her liver." - St George - 6:30am Wed 17 Jun 2009 (picasa)
Jenny - 'Just before heading out for surgery.' - St George Hospital - 7am Wed 17 Jun 2009 (picasa)

On Optimism - Tim Winton / Rod Baxter (twitter)

Untitled - Ultimo (Tue 02 Jun 2015)

Tim Winton on Optimism:

optimism is a form of discipline. Live like everything will be alright.

Tweet by @rodbaxter.

Ever the optimist, but it can appear to be naive. Always balance this with expect the unexpected and this will always protect you from too much harm.