This text was initially printed on Paddlechica.com.
Many people will likely be heading overseas to race this summer time, both to the Membership Crew World Championships in Hungary, or the IBCPC in Italy. Whether or not that is your first worldwide race or not, hopefully you will see that the following pointers useful as you head off in your travels quickly. Better of luck to all groups competing this summer time and I hope to see a few of you in Hungary!
The principle framework of this listing was initially generated by Jim Farintosh and shared with the paddlers at his Bow Wave Clinic in April. With Jim’s permission, I’ve tailored it right here for the weblog and have added to it a bit as effectively.
Jim Farintosh’s Warriors at Nationals in Welland 2017. Picture: Jeff Holubeshen
1. Follow in all situations and seats.
You is probably not accountable for this in case your coach assigns you to a selected seat throughout observe, however the primary message right here is to be versatile and adaptable. In case you are locked into seat 2 and all of a sudden your coach must shift the load of the boat in another way and now wants you in seat 6, will you have the ability to deal with it? Equally, if you’re used to practising on calm, serene waters and all of a sudden the wind has whipped up some critical waves on the race course, will you continue to have the ability to execute your method as if nothing had modified?
These of you who raced in Ravenna in 2014 will bear in mind the situations on the primary day of racing. We raced the 2k on a course with insane wind and whitecaps. To make the racing safer, the organizers restricted the quantity of ordinary boat paddlers to 16 on the final minute. Coaches needed to scramble to re-balance boats with 4 much less individuals in them and paddlers needed to adapt to extreme climate situations, all whereas trusting their steer to take care of management of the boat all through the course. The takeaway message from that have? Flexibility is paramount.
2. Construct routines and practice them.
What are your pre-race routines? What’s your warm-up routine? Maintain them the identical as a lot as attainable with the intention to give your self one much less factor to fret about when different unfamiliar issues crop up. Contemplate how you’re feeling when you end up in an unfamiliar state of affairs. Your focus turns in the direction of mitigating any discomfort it’s possible you’ll be experiencing, whether or not it’s in looking for meals that you just acknowledge, or trying to find somebody who speaks your language.
Sudden conditions are typical when you’re overseas and might be worrying, significantly if you’re not accustomed to international journey. So why not keep away from including to these stresses by establishing and sustaining routines that add familiarity to your day? Familiarity and luxury with a routine add to confidence and safety. There will likely be many uncontrollable components which are new to you when touring internationally, so holding as a lot as attainable as acquainted as attainable will definitely profit you whereas racing. Then after the races, you possibly can take the time to understand the various issues which are distinctive and new within the host nation.
3. Cope with jet lag instantly.
From the second you arrive, work to construct a sample of exercise to get you into your each day routine with the intention to adapt to the time distinction instantly. In the event you arrive within the morning, drive your self to stick to your morning routines even if it may be the midnight again residence and your physique is screaming for you to fall asleep. Irrespective of how drained you may be, resist the urge to sleep till the night. Attempt to hold to a schedule that coincides with the native time, however just be sure you are getting sufficient sleep at evening if you do go to mattress. You undoubtedly don’t wish to be battling exhaustion from jet lag in your first day or two of racing.
4. Stability vacationer wishes.
Positive, we’re all enthusiastic about visiting international locations we might have by no means been to earlier than. However earlier than dashing off to see all of the websites, bear in mind your priorities and what you may have traveled there for. Save the touring for after the races. Your teammates are relying on you to be at your greatest for every race. If in case you have spent your free time strolling all around the metropolis exploring and at the moment are exhausted from the exercise and the solar publicity, you aren’t benefitting your workforce one bit. You might be dying to see a selected website, however it is essential to be aware of the truth that 20+ different individuals in your workforce have spent their hard-earned money to journey overseas with the intention to compete. This isn’t about you as a person. It’s about your workforce as an entire. Save the sightseeing for after the racing.
Save the sightseeing for later. Right here, I’m overlooking the Danube River in Budapest after Worlds, 2013.
5. Make sensible meals decisions.
I’m all for attempting new issues and I’m sometimes the primary one to eat road meals that I do not know what it’d probably be. Nonetheless, there’s a time and a spot for that. Be adventurous AFTER the racing is finished. Beforehand, hold it easy, and hold it acquainted. The very last thing you wish to expertise throughout racing is an upset abdomen from attempting one thing new.
6. Carry back-up stuff!
Ask your self: If I misplaced this, will I nonetheless have the ability to compete? Pack an additional jersey and paddling shorts into your carry-on baggage in case your baggage will get misplaced. Carry an additional pair of sun shades, hat/headband, or no matter else you would possibly want for racing. Having a again up offers you peace of thoughts that even when one thing is misplaced you received’t need to cope with the stress of attempting to exchange it.
Additionally, it’s a good suggestion to repeat paperwork and passports and provides it to a buddy, or higher but take images of the paperwork in your cellphone or scan them after which both electronic mail them to your self or a good friend or save them into an app reminiscent of Evernote.
7. Sweat the small print and plan choices.
In the event you missed the workforce bus to the venue what would you do to get there? Bear in mind that in some cities it isn’t as simple as simply grabbing a taxi on the road; as a substitute it’s important to name a taxi to return get you. Relying on the place you’re staying which will or is probably not simple. Be linked to your teammates. Determine a “plan B” to make sure that you may be on time every day.
I’m usually a “fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants” sort of individual, however with regards to worldwide racing, I can’t afford to be. I’ve bought my teammates relying on me to be on time and ready. I be sure that I’ve bought all the small print of my day deliberate out, together with what objects I’m bringing on race day like meals, electrolytes, a change of garments, and so forth. When competing internationally, I have to plan far prematurely with the intention to guarantee I’ve bought what I would like.
Nationals 2017. Picture: Jeff Holubeshen
8. ALWAYS plan further time.
At residence, it’s possible you’ll be the one who arrives simply within the nick of time at a race, however when racing internationally it’s possible you’ll encounter unpredicted obstacles which could trigger you to be late. Don’t let that occur. Construct in loads of further time to your schedule as a way to’t probably threat being late. 20+ individuals are relying on you to be on time. Wouldn’t it’s terrible in case your workforce needed to go to “plan B” simply since you weren’t ready sufficient to get there on time?
9. Be pleasant with native organizers and officers.
Don’t overlook that you’re representing your hometown and nation. Wouldn’t you relatively have the native individuals pondering, “Wow! These paddlers from _____________________ are so good!” as a substitute of the choice?
Thank the volunteers and the officers – it’s normally a protracted day within the solar (or worse, the rain) for them. The regatta wouldn’t occur if it weren’t for all of them, so take the time to point out your appreciation. An expression of gratitude goes a great distance.
10. Take a Break at Common Intervals.
Most of us aren’t accustomed to touring with a big group of individuals and thus being round these individuals all day, day-after-day for days on finish. You might love your teammates, but it surely’s additionally essential to have a while to your self. On the race website, take a stroll to get away from the group, if attainable. A break can convey you again into engagement and renew your vitality.
After all it ought to go with out saying that it’s essential take your breaks at acceptable instances; don’t run off proper earlier than your coach holds a workforce assembly or as your workforce is starting their warmup. And it’s a good suggestion to let your coach or captain know earlier than you permit the workforce space in case anybody wants to seek out you.
11. Defeat distractions.
When touring overseas, so many issues are new and completely different which makes it simple to lose focus. Don’t overlook why you’re there. Irrespective of the place you’re racing, if it’s a global race you may have spent some huge cash and have seemingly traveled fairly a distance to get there. Don’t let the novelty of the journey intrude with the aim. Your workforce is relying on you.
Nationals 2017. Picture: Jeff Holubeshen
12. Decide to your greatest effort for the entire occasion.
As thrilling as worldwide journey is, it’s essential to be within the second in the course of the races. Don’t begin occupied with your post-race excursions earlier than you’ve even completed the competitors. You might have skilled laborious for this occasion. Maintain your focus there for all the time. And belief me, earlier than you realize it, it’s going to all be over. It’s laborious to imagine, however within the blink of a watch the closing ceremonies are happening. So, for the quick time that you’re competing, decide to giving your workforce 100% of your effort.
13. Respect your competitors.
Whereas it’s important to see your competitors as your rival on the water, needless to say if it weren’t for the opposite groups in your division, you wouldn’t have a race. Everybody has been coaching laborious for this second. Respect the truth that your rivals have been working as laborious as you may have main as much as this. It’s OK to be fierce rivals on the water, however be pleasant in any other case.
In case you are touring to Hungary or Italy to compete this summer time, secure travels and better of luck! I want you a superb journey overseas and hope that the following pointers enable you and your teammates to have a profitable expertise. In case you are in Hungary, I hope to see you there!
