Logically, Grade 1 comes before Grade 2 in a river paddling context, but how many new paddlers actually spend the time becoming truly proficient at paddling in a straight line on flat water?
This can’t be taught in a single weekend course. To become a paddler, not just someone who owns a kayak, you need time on the water, practising effective technique. It’s easy to skip ahead to the fun stuff, downwind paddling or tackling Grade 2 rapids but both of these disciplines share one crucial foundation: the forward stroke.
Being able to paddle efficiently in a straight line is the core of every racing paddling sport. Let’s break it down with two examples: downwinding and the Coast to Coast Grade 2 river section.
Downwinding
Downwinding is at the mercy of the weather, you never quite know what conditions you’ll face. It might be glassy flat, gusty and inconsistent, or throw in sections of side wind and headwind. More often than not, the wind doesn’t blow perfectly in your desired direction.
Your ability to power your boat up to speed and hold good technique through open ocean waves is what allows you to catch more runs. Sure, there’s a skill to surfing, and a great downwind paddler will out-surf a pure flat-water paddler but both paddlers will have mastered an effective flat-water stroke.
Coast to Coast: Grade 2 River
Grade 2 coaching is essential for safety, for confidence, and for ensuring you make it down the river in one piece. But objectively, the Coast to Coast river section is around 80% flat or gently moving water, and only 20% rapids. So your training should reflect that.
With a strong foundation in technique and fitness, your Grade 2 course becomes far more valuable. You’ll be able to spend more time on the fun stuff like navigating features and controlling your boat with confidence, rather than just surviving. Better technique also gives your rudder more bite, and your decisions on the river become more deliberate and intentional.
It’s the Same Across the Board
- Surf Life Saving / Spec Ski: You won’t punch through waves or control your ski down a wave without technique, fitness, and strength.
- K1 Sprint and Marathon: You need time in a more stable boat first to develop technique, balance, strength, and confidence before competing in K1 events.
The Strong Paddler – Grade 1 Course
The Grade 1 Course is all about mastering the fundamentals for any paddling goal. Here’s what’s included:
- ✅ Technique review and evaluation – do you have the basics
- ✅ Video resources to understand technique – understanding is key to progress
- ✅ Equipment check – Is your boat and paddle right for your goals?
- ✅ Accountability – A simple plan to build paddling specific fitness
- ✅ Strength training guides – Focused on paddling specific strength and injury reduction strategies
- ✅ Land-based technique drills – advance faster with land drills
- ✅ Confidence to progress – So you’re ready for your next level
Want in?
Sign up below with a one off payment of $49 USD for access to the course, The first section of the course its free access to check it out.
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