On the Joy of Paddling - Honolulu (Sun 10 Sep 2011)

a little lift - gotta work for it!! - Geoff, Jo, David, Betty (that would be my amazing Mum in Seat 4), .. - Waikiki Beach / Honolulu (Sun 10 Sep 2011)

now enjoy the reward of the effort - Geoff, Jo, David, Betty (that would be my amazing Mum in Seat 4), .. - Waikiki Beach / 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 ..

On Happiness - Memories - Iain S. Thomas / I Wrote this for You (Wed 26Aug 2015)

Paddling - Pacific Ocean / Dover Heights (Sun 11 Aug 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.

Outrigger Canoe Paddling Technique (OC6)

Top Hand Over Bottom / Top Hands Down Together

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 Together

Visualise 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.

La Perouse OC6 Regatta - Pacific Dragons Open Crew (Sat 14 Feb 2015)

View on YouTube

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.

Also, you will find the last 2 minutes very entertaining. I promise.

You can watch it in HD by changing the settings

A great day for our Club.

Some Favourite Outrigger Canoe (OC6) Technique Related Videos (Wed 28 Jan 2015)

Team Hawaii training for 2010 Havaiki Nui Vaa (Vimeo Video)

Just watch this one - Seat 3 is amazing!! - Team Hawaii Preparing for Havaiki Nui 2010 from Dolan Bros. on Vimeo.
Kamini Jain talking about Paddling Stroke Technique

Kamini Jain talking about Paddling Stroke Technique (Vancouver Outrigger Conference -Nov 2010)
Manny Vincent on Outrigger Canoe Technique - bapuiii (05 Nov 2010)

Manny Vincent on Outrigger Canoe Technique - bapuiii (05 Nov 2010)
A few other good ones include:

• The Catch - Johnny Puakea and Danny Ching OC Clinic (16 May 2008) (this one is definitely worth a read)
• Va'a Paddling Connection Tahiti (great video and music - shows the skills needed to catch the bumps).
• lots more here.

[Just click through the links above each video to see the original posts here at eljeiffel. Not sure if all the embedded videos will render properly on this page.]

Give it Everything - Cameron Wurf (Thu 25 Dec 2014)

PD's Open - Five Islands OC6 Regatta / Lake Illawarra (Sun 19 Oct 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.

Pacific Dragons Crew Photos - Pittwater OC6 Regatta / Palm Beach (Sun 09 Feb 2014)

Alison Linn, Kath Burrows, Annett Happich, Amanda Wyllie (S), Nicola Frowen, Cath Gale - Pacific Dragons Long Course Women - Pittwater OC6 Regatta / Palm Beach (Sun 09 Feb 2014)
Steve Jack, Ian Amos, Stu Young, Nuku Taia, Adrian Chua, Geoff Eldridge (S) - Pacific Dragons Long Course Open - Pittwater OC6 Regatta / Palm Beach (Sun 09 Feb 2014)
Tim Vose, Eelin Tan, Paul Wilkins, Kirsi Niinimaki, Stu Young (S), Liz Cowen - Pacific Dragons Short Course Mixed 1 - Pittwater OC6 Regatta / Palm Beach (Sun 09 Feb 2014)
Geoff Eldridge (S), Kaizer Austin, Jo Petterson, Paul Webster, Jane Hill, Kayleene Eagles - Pacific Dragons Short Course Mixed 2 - Pittwater OC6 Regatta / Palm Beach (Sun 09 Feb 2014)
First big race of the season for most of us. As usual I learnt a lot today about steering on a choppy ocean in strong winds. Tough way to learn, so thanks to the LC Mens Crew for putting up with me.

The SC Mixed - congrats to Kayleene and Jane for first time in such challenging conditions. To the crew, thank you for your belief in yourselves and me as your steerer.

Great work everyone today, you put a smile on an old paddlers face.

Pacific Dragons Open - Newcastle Outrigger Changes Race (Sat 19 Jan 2013)

Pacific Dragons Open - Newcastle Outrigger Changes Race (Sat 19 Jan 2013) [Youtube (*)]

Pacific Dragons Long Course Mixed Crew - Cronulla Outrigger Canoe Regatta (Sun 03 Mar 2013)

Pacific Dragons Long Course Mixed Crew - Cronulla Outrigger Canoe Regatta (Sun 03 Mar 2013) [Youtube (*)]
Just over 2 minutes of paddling fun crossing a Sandbar half way through the race. Once the canoe goes of course slightly at these kind if speeds, it is very difficult to correct. We recovered nicely and the 6th wave later we managed to get a second chance. Heaps of fun and we learnt a lot. Thanks everyone, it was a great experience and race. A few more sections of the GoPro footage can be found at the eljeiffel YouTube site.



GPS Plot for YouTube Video - Port Hacking Sandbar and The Complete Race (Sun 03 Mar 2013)
Steph Kerr, Tim Vose, Jo Petterson, Mark Hall, Liz Cowan, Geoff Eldridge - Gunnamatta Bay (Sun 03 Mar 2013)

Pacific Dragons - Masters Men - Five Islands Outrigger Canoe Regatta (Sun 11 Nov 2012)

Pacific Dragons - Masters Men - Five Islands Outrigger Canoe Regatta (Sun 11 Nov 2012) [Youtube (*)]
The final minute of a 14km race out and back into Wollongong's Boat Harbour. Much nicer conditions to that which experienced at the beginning of 2010 (*). From left to right - Nuku, Peter, Paul and that would be me at the back of the canoe. Thanks to Graeme for the great GoPro footage of the whole race. Will have to get myself one of these as it great to get some video feedback to help improve the technique.

500 km in 40 days - Code Yellow - Geoff (12 Apr 2011 - 21 May 2011)

500 km in 40 days - Code Yellow - Geoff (Tue 12 Apr 2011 - Sun 21 May 2011)

As Gav told me a long time ago:

The BIGGER the BASE, the HIGHER the PEAK.

Joanne, Gav and Geoff - Senior A Mixed 500m World Champions - Thank You Gav - Racice/Prague - Sat 29 Aug 2009 (picasa)

Will reiterate Billy's (my OC6 Coach) words from our 400km in 40 days Challenge in January 2011..

For-40 Achievements by Billy ..

Congrats to all those that took on the For-40 Challenge!

Whether you made the full 400km or not here's how working towards it would have transformed your body over the last 40 days...

You would have increased the number of capillaries in your paddling muscles. More oxygen rich blood can now reach the muscle fibres to see you paddling harder for longer... awesome!

The density of mitochondria would have increased in your paddling muscles . These little babies use oxygen to break down glucose and fats to create the energy that fires your muscles. The more you have the faster you can paddle for longer ... yeah!

You would increased the number of enzymes available to breakdown fats. The more of these you have the better you are able to use fat as fuel source and conserve precious sugars for passing other crews, catching runs and big finishes... you gotta love that!

You would have improved your muscular efficiency. Through repetition your brain now better coordinates all your paddling muscles so they work smoothly and seamlessly together. This minimises energy use to see you paddling harder for longer... and looking good too!

The number of red blood cells and hemoglobin would have increased. This sees your blood now have a greater oxygen- carrying capability.The more oxygen in the blood, the more blood to your paddling muscles, the harder you can paddle for longer... wow!

Thanks Billy for this great initative. The 400 km in 40 days was definitely what I needed for where I was at the beginning of January 2011.

Have to feel good about all the changes that are happening in our bodies as we move into the Blue and Red cycles of the first Meso Cycle.

Keep on Paddling. Win the Workout

Thank you - Geoff, Marty, Norm, Christian, Todd and Billy - Had just done a successful Individual Time Trial for Prague that morning at Penrith - just made it to the start and we had a great race all things considered. - State Titles OC6 Long Course - Ettalong - Sat 09 May 2009 (picasa)

Make mistakes well - Jeff Jarvis (WWGD)

We are ashamed to make mistakes - as well we should be, yes? It's our job to get things right, right? So when we make mistakes, our instinct is to shrink into a ball and wish them away. Correcting errors, though necessary is embarrassing.

But the truth about the truth is in itself counterintuitive: Corrections do not diminish credibility. Corrections enhance credibility. Standing up and admitting your errors makes you more believable; it gives your audience faith that you will right your future wrongs.

From What Would Google Do (Amazon) by Jeff Jarvis.


Bought this book in London and read it while traveling around Europe after the 2009 World Dragon Boat Championships in Prague. Enjoyed reading it and I got a lot out of it. I had had a break from the internet for over 8 years and was looking to see what was new. I understood and could relate to much of the book from my elj.com days.

When looking through the book today to find a section that talked about blogging and tweeting and why people do it (in a moment of self-reflection to try and workout why I post what I do here), I found this page earmarked with the above quote.

Had some interesting conversations and posts recently on the topic of mistakes. For me they often represent the fact that I am out there trying something and giving it a go. Feel a little embarrassed when I make mistakes and other people are involved, but I hope they know I will will right [my] future wrongs. Main thing is to learn from the mistakes.

Live and Learn they say.

Pacific Dragon's Long Course Mixed Crew - from front to back - Graeme, Gen, Matt, Eloise, Meising and Geoff - 2011 OC6 State Titles - Cronulla / Sydney - Sat 26 Mar 2011 (Photo by Camocean)

Takapuna Beach Cup 2011 from Ocean Sports Media on Vimeo (Sat 26 Feb 2011)

Takapuna Beach Cup 2011 from Ocean Sports Media on Vimeo.
Done the training and the race. Now the Video. Fantastic Event. Let's do it again next year.

Molokai 2009 - tahitian689 (youtube)

Molokai 2009 - tahitian689 (youtube)
Molokai 2009 Race with Team Paddling Connection (from Tahiti).

For-40 Achievements - 400 km in 40 days - Billy (15 Feb 2011)

For-40 Achievements by Billy ..

Congrats to all those that took on the For-40 Challenge!

Whether you made the full 400km or not here's how working towards it would have transformed your body over the last 40 days...

You would have increased the number of capillaries in your paddling muscles. More oxygen rich blood can now reach the muscle fibres to see you paddling harder for longer... awesome!

The density of mitochondria would have increased in your paddling muscles . These little babies use oxygen to break down glucose and fats to create the energy that fires your muscles. The more you have the faster you can paddle for longer ... yeah!

You would increased the number of enzymes available to breakdown fats. The more of these you have the better you are able to use fat as fuel source and conserve precious sugars for passing other crews, catching runs and big finishes... you gotta love that!

You would have improved your muscular efficiency. Through repetition your brain now better coordinates all your paddling muscles so they work smoothly and seamlessly together. This minimises energy use to see you paddling harder for longer... and looking good too!

The number of red blood cells and hemoglobin would have increased. This sees your blood now have a greater oxygen- carrying capability.The more oxygen in the blood, the more blood to your paddling muscles, the harder you can paddle for longer... wow!

Thanks Billy for this great initative. The 400 km in 40 days was definitely what I needed for where I was at the beginning of January 2011.

Thank you - Geoff, Marty, Norm, Christian, Todd and Billy - Had just done a successful Individual Time Trial for Prague that morning at Penrith - just made it to the start and we had a great race all things considered. - State Titles OC6 Long Course - Ettalong - Sat 09 May 2009 (picasa)

400 km in 40 days (01 Jan 2011 - 09 Feb 2011)

400 km in 40 days - Geoff (01 Jan 2011 - 09 Feb 2011)

Takapuna Beach Cup 42k Changes Race (Vimeo Video)

Takapuna Beach Cup 42k Changes Race from Ocean Sports Media on Vimeo.
New Zealand's Premiere Outrigger changes race, held at beautiful Takapuna Beach Auckland. A host of Local and international warriors battle it out for line honors and personal fulfillment in this fabulous International Event.

Just signed up to do the 2011 Takapuna Beach Cup 42km Changes Race (see map) on Sat 26 Feb 2011. Flying trip as I need to be back in Sydney for afternoon Dragon Boat Training on Sun 28 Feb 2011.

Course Map for 2011 Takapuna Beach Cup 42km Changes Race

Team Hawaii training for 2010 Havaiki Nui Vaa (Vimeo Video)

Team Hawaii Preparing for Havaiki Nui 2010 from Dolan Bros. on Vimeo.
Team Hawaii's Kai Bartlett, Patrick Dolan, Mael Carey and Mike Judd (All Pictured) training off the Kona Coast before the Havaiki Nui Vaa Race.

Found this on ocpaddler.com under the Team Hawaii discussion started by Ryan Dolan.

Rambo provides some very useful information about using the GoPro Camera. Definitely worth bookmarking and remembering for another day.

Manny Vincent on Outrigger Canoe Technique - bapuiii (05 Nov 2010)

Manny Vincent on Outrigger Canoe Technique - bapuiii (05 Nov 2010)
Had a few Outrigger Canoe Technique Videos here lately - Kamini Jain and Johnny and Danny Ching. Everyone has their own way and I think they are all trying to get the same kind of message across. Learn and enjoy.

The Catch - Johnny Puakea and Danny Ching OC Clinic (16 May 2008)

The Catch - Johnny Puakea and Danny Ching Paddling Clinic OC Clinic - at blip.tv (16 May 2008)
John: What I look for is a forward angle on the catch. 99% of people are going to reach and look exactly like this (Danny on ERG in perfect setup) before they take a stroke. But what they are going to do is come 8, 9 or 10 inches before they hit the water. And another 2 or 3 inches before they sink the blade.

So the idea is to set that blade we you reach it.

I hear all the time that "I hit the front iako" in the canoe. Well if you are hitting the front iako, but your putting in the paddle a foot back. So why not just put the paddle in there?

The idea is to reach the paddle to the point you are going to put in. If you can only put the full blade in at this point. Then start there. Don't reach out here and then come back 5, 6 or 7 inches before you set the blade. It's a wasted motion. If you can get in here at this angle, then eventually over time as you get more comfortable then you start moving a half inch further forward, and then move another half inch farther forward.

So forward angle on the catch is the first thing I look for.

I look for a triangle. The bottom of the blade is here is one point. Your top hand is the second point and the back of your hip is your third.

So if you body has this triangle motion and you set the blade there and then you start to use your larger efficient muscles (???).

I will let Danny do some talking as he is good at this.

Danny: As Johny said, the biggest thing is to get your blade to set in the water. It doesn't count if the tip just touches the water and it does not count if it is up in the air. The entire blade has to be set.

Johnny actually showed me a drill that is really hard to do but is surprisingly sounds really easy. You literally just set up, set you blade in the water at forward angle, don't pull and then take it out. Amazing how many people setup in the air start back to pull and it surprisingly simple. All you do is set up the blade and you just set blade in the water, take it out, set it again. This kind of gets you use to knowing where your catch is.

Some people have really long arms that are great for putting the paddle up here. Some people have little short arms. It's kind whatever you can reach comfortably because if you get this point (over extended). You can't pull from here, You can't be really efficient from here. You need to find that extension where you have a forward angle and you setting the whole blade in the under water (at a positive angle).

99% of paddlers get here, start there stroke and it is buried here and this is where the stroke starts (short).

You have a great picture of you and the paddle in the air and this great reach and everything is perfect. But you are not starting your stroke until here. (short)

Johnny: That's why every likes pictures of them paddling in the air, because it looks great. And you get a six man team and everyone looks awesome and then a lot of times with the video you go stroke by stroke.

If you can get someone to take a video of you and you think about that forward angle on the catch and where you are setting your catch. If you go frame by frame, you see each frame as go come back farther and farther until the blade gets in the water.

A lot of times, by the time you set that blade in, a lot of people have this angle (negative) on the shaft.

You have lost your whole load at the front. The reason you are paddling up front is that you are using leverage instead of muscle and that is how I kind of look at it.

[By example] If you are reaching out really far and setting it in, you are using lats, legs, stomach and core muscles. You know if you are in here and bending your arm, and this is where it feels heavy (during the pull). A lot people think I am doing a lot of work, I am really strong and this is working out. Well that's not it. The reason is that it feels heavy is that you no longer have leverage. Out here feels (extended) easy because you ahve leverage. It should feel like you are out in front and you have set the blade and you literally grab onto mud or concrete.

OK I always say, that if a door is closed shut and it is nailed closed. What you are going to do is put your foot one the wall and you ging to have your arm out and you are going to pull on it this way (at 4:25 sec mark - effectively shows leg drive also).

It's the same thing when you are paddling. You are never going to go up to that door and go half way up to it, and give it good yank, because there is no leverage.

Any questions? That is just the first part.

Danny: You will know when you get out and set the blade on forward angle, because it feels heavier and it is actually harder. Once you get going, that's going to help you out just to keep your speed. (???)

When you get out here. Once you set the blade, it feels a lot heavier, then if you are going to pull back and set here (short).

Johnny: That's where the one man technique comes in so handy in canoe paddling. A lot people just paddle 6 mans and not one mans (??). If you have your own boat, you can get out there and see where you are putting the paddle in. No timing to keep up with, nobody is racing you, you are not in the competiiton mode. You just sit there relax and go. OK:

• can I put that paddle in up front?


• Did I have a forward angle?


• Did I set the whole blade?

If you can get that blade set at a forward angle at the front, then half you battle is over.