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GYSOT coaching is a unique coaching concept that uses both the physical and mental skills that are developed and perfected by world class Canoe Slalom athletes to take your river running to the next level. It is also an opportunity for those with a back ground in river running/creeking to try out Slalom in an experienced environment.
Despite common misconceptions canoe slalom and river running are very similar. Slalom just uses poles and a stop watches to make thing hard whereas river running uses scary pour overs and rocks to make things hard and the boats have adapted accordingly. GYSOT Coaching is aimed at open mined individuals that really want to improve their paddling – and have a laugh on the way! We give those open minded individuals the opportunity to learn new skills and aim to break down any barriers that might exist between 2 disciplines of our fantastic sport and appreciate the benefits that each discipline bring to our sport. Recreational slalom does exist!
We are not saying that slalom is a holistic approach to river running, after all it teaches you nothing about safety, boofing and doesn’t give you the underwater orientation of play-boating. However getting the most out of every stroke, getting your boat running smoothly, feeling in full control of the boat and practicing things in your head it does teach you.
Forward paddling technique- Breaking down your stroke and rebuilding it to use your mussels more effectively - ‘On the go’ video reviews. Slalom boat or creek boat.
Introduction to Sticks- Session in slalom boats working of basic gate technique.
Mental rehearsal and Visualising- Using a full length slalom course (on the white) we will go through mental techniques to improve your run. We will be using techniques that some of our Olympic athletes are using. The stop watch might make an appearance!
White Water course Video Session - Gate work on the white using short courses with short but frequent feedback.
Review - Most of the stuff you will have learnt will need lots of practice. We will give you simple tailored pointed on what to work on and talks about how we can really apply what we have learnt to river running. You will need to go away and practice.
‘Bolt Ons’-We can do ‘Bolt on’ sessions to the basic course content. Play-boating session with UK top play-boaters and river leading skills and even a squirt boating sessions.
If you would like a private session at a time to suit you then it can be arranged! We can organise a sessions to suit your personal or groups requirments and ability. Sessions can be any length at any time and for any amount of people. We will just adjust the price and content accordingly.
Just get in touch with your requirements and I can put it together!
Competing at the top level of canoe slalom as a junior gave me nearly all the skills I need to take on the rivers of Nepal with little river running experience. I have been kayaking far flung rivers around the world for the last 4 years and continuously have the fundamentals skill I learnt from slalom to thank. But as I say it’s not a holistic approach – It did leave me with a rather doggy roll! I now live amongst our top slalom athletes and coaches in Nottingham and really want to see others get involved in Slalom for the fun of it and to use it to take their river running to the next level. I am now planning getting back into my slalom boat to train for the Adidas Sickline Extreme Racing World Championship in October. Myself and Pete Scutt will also be defending our title as first place at the Etive river race (sponsored category) – hopefully this year it will be on white water!
What actually is going through your head when you jump back in you boat at the top of a scary rapid after you have just spent 20 minutes inspecting it?
Are you actually making every stroke count when you are pounding away to get above that pour over or make that ferry?
Although river running is not a competitive sport, it is under the competitive environment of slalom where athletes are training up to 20 times a week to shave a fraction of a second off where the real innovation of stroke technique and metal techniques are harvested.
