Sweetwater Coaching works at all levels, from grass-roots to world class athletes, bringing the latest coaching methods and practices to our course programmes. We recognise that just as each individual who comes to us for coaching is unique, the courses we provide should also be unique. Allowing you to set the pace you like, and focus on the skills that will allow you to get the most out of this incredible sport. All course programmes are designed and delivered to expand your skills, grow your confidence and meet your specific objectives, so that you go away inspired and fuelled with the right knowledge and skills to progress.
– Dennis Newton, Whitewater Coach
FREERIDE SERIES
The Freeride Series provides a progressive programme towards achieving your whitewater aspirations through a highly individualised development pathway. This series is certain to motivate and energise your paddling, and build a positive momentum that continues through a life-long interaction between you, the river and the challenges to come. The series provides three specific themes that you can tap into as required or use as a progressive means to enhance skills, and grow confidence in varied whitewater environments.
The freeride series incorporates technical, tactical and psychological aspects of river running, creaking and freestyle, with a bias towards exploring Fluidity, Control and Creativity. Together we’ll explore these three areas, seamlessly merging insights into an all-around style – giving you the freedom to make the most of whatever feature comes your way, and run the most creative lines possible.
FREERIDE I
Explore the new possibilities of Freeride, whilst developing a solid skills foundation. There is no better way to start your whitewater journey, guaranteed.
Learning outcomes:
- Exciting introduction to grade 3 white water.
- Developing confidence in the whitewater environment.
- Gaining a solid foundation using the latest skills and current thinking.
- Understanding river features and maximising their potential.
- Identifying & understanding hazards.
- Attaining essential skills to self-direct your own development.
Pre-requisites:
In order to get the best out of this course you should have fundamental boat control on Grade 2(3) moving water. This includes manoeuvres such the beginnings of breaking in/out, ferry gliding, and a whitewater roll (80% effective). You should also be reasonably fit.
Price:
£TBC
Dates:
TBC
FREERIDE II
Ready to take the next step in your whitewater quest? This course is all about becoming a fluent, decisive and more creative paddler on Grade 3(4). Throughout this two day course you’ll learn a range of mental skills that will enhance your focus and empower you to become a more confident and consistent paddler.
Learning outcomes:
- Injecting new creativity and personal growth into your paddling.
- Overcoming plateaus in your performance.
- Learning the latest dynamic boating techniques and tactics.
- Understanding river features and maximising their potential.
- Using visualisation to enhance your learning and performance.
- Building confidence in your ability by strengthening your focus on the right things.
- Dealing with adversity and managing arousal and anxiety levels.
- Becoming a self-directed learner through your experiences and targeted reflection.
- Improving your learning curve through effective goal setting.
Pre-requisites:
In order to get the best out of this course you should have fundamental boat control on Grade 3 water. This includes manoeuvres such as breaking in/out, ferry gliding, and a white water roll (80%+ effective). You should also be reasonably fit.
Price:
£TBC
Dates:
TBC
FREERIDE III
The last in the Freeride series involves maximising utilisation of as many river features as possible. Aimed to flex and progress your skills in preparation for grade 4+ rivers. This is a sound way to practice the necessary skillsets that are required to deal with the diverse demands of more advanced whitewater environments.
Throughout this two day course our coaches will refine and enhance your river running skills whilst you get to know your potential, and the river like never before.
An integral part of this course is dynamic risk assessment of river features and identifying windows of opportunity, whilst being coached some sweet lines.
Learning outcomes:
- Learning the latest river running skills and current thinking.
- Overcoming plateaus in your performance.
- Tactical knowledge of reading, selecting and achieving lines.
- Efficiency in your application of technique and manoeuvres.
- Learning how to fine tune input from your senses to deal with challenging environments.
- Gaining a greater understanding of mental rehearsal and how to best develop and apply it.
- Increasing confidence in your paddling abilities and benchmarking your level of performance.
Pre-requisites:
In order to get the best out of this course you should feel reasonably confident on grade 3(4) whitewater. You must have a reliable white water roll (80%+ effective).
Price:
£TBC
Dates:
TBC
STEEP CREEKING (SCI)
This two/three day course is designed specifically for paddlers to gain a first taste of this exciting environment. Aimed at developing a baseline of skills in a supportive environment to run drops and small falls with confidence. By the end of this course you’ll have acquired a solid foundation from which to further explore steep creeking and continue your development.
Learning outcomes:
- Gain skills to meet the challenges of running slides, drops and waterfalls.
- Tactical knowledge of reading, selecting and achieving lines.
- Greater understanding of mental skills and how to best apply them.
- Attain essential skills to self-direct your own development.
Pre-requisites:
In order to get the best out of this course you should feel confident on grade 3+ water. You must have a reliable whitewater roll (80%+ effective). You should also be reasonably fit as there is a certain amount of trekking with boats.
Further information: Steep Creeking Overview (PDF)
Price:
£TBC
Dates:
TBC
STEEP CREEKING (SCII)
Join us and immerse yourself in the exciting world of steep creeking. This two/three day action packed programme is aimed at intermediate to advanced boaters who want to improve performance and gain experience in this challenging environment. During the course you’ll explore a hand-picked selection of the best runs the UK has to offer. You’ll get the best coaching and the latest coaching tools available to operate in this environment with precision and understanding.
Learning outcomes:
- Gain the latest skills to meet the challenges of running slides, drop and waterfalls.
- Increased tactical knowledge of reading, selecting and achieving lines.
- A greater understanding of mental skills and how to best apply them.
- Understanding of scouting techniques and assessing risk.
- Attain essential skills to self-direct your own development.
Pre-requisites:
In order to get the best out of this course you should feel confident on grade 3/4 water. You must have a reliable whitewater roll (90%+ effective). You should also be reasonably fit (as this course involves is a certain amount of trekking with boats).
Price:
£TBC
Dates:
TBC
EX-RACE Development
This action packed whitewater experience is designed to help you eliminate barriers to improvement, better your race times, or just experience the thrill that comes with a rapid descent. We bring our extensive competitive coaching experience to assist you in mastering 4 key areas to meet the demands of extreme racing; including physical conditioning, performance thinking, technical refinement of your skills, and tactical application of these skills to meet the race objectives.
You will also learn a range of useful drills/exercises for these four key areas, so you can continue to master these skills long after your course is over.
Learning outcomes:
- Gain the latest river running skills (including running drop and falls) and current thinking.
- Bring new challenges to improve your general river running skills.
- A greater understanding of what it takes to be a successful competitor.
- Attain essential skills to self-direct your own development.
Pre-requisites:
In order to get the best out of this course you should feel confident on grade 3/4 water. You must have a reliable white water roll (90%+ effective). You should also be reasonably fit (as this course involves is a certain amount of trekking with boats).
Price:
£TBC
Dates:
TBC
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