|
Last weekend probably wasn't the best timing for Clint Robinson,
Olympian and coach to come to Perth and run coaching clinics;
We had cold, wet and windy conditions plus the Avon River
running. However, for over 30 paddlers it was well worth him
coming to town. Clint ran 3 days of clinics.
Clint coaching at our Saturday morning training
at Sandy Beach
In my previous newsletters I said "you
would be mad if you didn't take up this opportunity to take
part". After seeing how Clint worked and what the paddlers
got from the sessions, paddlers were mad to have missed out.
Member Australian Olympic Team - Barcelona
1992 - Gold Medallist
Member Australian Olympic Team - Atlanta 1996 - Bronze Medallist
Member Australian Olympic Team - Athens 2004 - Silver Medallist
Member Australian Olympic Team - Beijing 2008
Member Australian Olympic Team - Sydney 2000
I had the pleasure to be with Clint when he conducted 3 separate
coaching clinics and I must admit I came away inspired. I
suppose that wasn't surprising, Clint has been to 5 Olympics,
he is one of the 'Greats' in surf lifesaving circles, and
he is still a top competitor in downwind races. Clint was
easy to talk to, he was down to earth, he communicated with
everyone really well and he was appreciative with the help
we gave him. He certainly has a lot of knowledge to share,
not surprising though as he has paddled for a long time at
an elite level, and he himself has been coached most of his
life, so there is no wonder he can virtually correct your
stroke with his eyes closed.
Over the weekend he coached the experienced and the complete
novice paddler but it didn't matter who it was he put in the
same enthusiasm and gave the same quality of coaching, no
matter. As well as being there on Saturday morning, I was also at two of his 1 on 2 visual clinics where
he filmed the two paddlers taking part, showed footage of
other great paddlers, to give them an idea of what to aim
for. He then critiqued their paddling style in such a way
that they didn't want to crawl under a rock. He was able to
point out subtle areas of concern and how to remedy the points
that needed improvement. It wouldn't matter how good you are,
Clint would be able to find a subtle weakness in your paddling
style and improve it.
Clint points out a flaw. The video doesn't
lie!
Clint is a World Champion in 5 different paddle
sports and has a full set of Olympic medals, plus 68 National
Championships in Surf Life Saving and Canoeing
Having Clint come over meant that twenty of our Saturday
morning paddlers were treated to an amazing two hour coaching
session for the low cost of $50.00. Unfortunately we had to
turn 12 paddlers away but Clint will be back later on in the
year for those who missed out and others who want to improve
further. At the end of the session paddlers were abuzz. They
were excited, motivated and enthusiastic and were so appreciated
and pleased with what they had learnt from one of the worlds
best paddlers in such a short time.
Perth has many paddlers that would have benefited from Clint's
clinics. Unfortunately most didn't take part. My biggest surprise
was that there was only a handful of club paddlers that booked
on. Was it because most paddlers are happy with their style
or they were already being coached. Whatever you do don't
miss out next time because he can help everybody.
I hadn't really thought about improving my own technique
so late in life as I have been happy with everyone beating
me and I'm sure I can still paddle my favourite distance of
4000kms without a hitch, but after Clint's sessions I have
been inspired to improve.
If you are interested in being part of Clint's clinics in
the future, just let me know and I will put your name down.
The 1 on 1 or the 1-2 visual sessions meant
that you were the main focus, so you got the full attention
of Clint's expertise.
*************************************
Not only is Clint an Olympian he also has
done well at World Championships
World Championships
Gold 1994 Mexico City K-1 1000 m
Silver 1991 Paris K-4 10000 m
Silver 1995 Duisburg K-1 1000 m
Bronze 1994 Mexico City K-2 500 m
1992 Barcelona Olympics, Gold Medal K1 1000m
Photograph:Shaun Botterill - Allsport
Clint Robinson became Australia’s first
canoe / kayak gold medallist when he defeated the Norwegian
World Champion Knut Holmann to win the 1000 metres singles
final in Barcelona in 1992. Robinson was one of a special
breed of sportsmen - lifesavers who learned their paddling
skills in the surf, then applied them to the discipline of
the Olympic kayak. Such athletes had been competing at the
Games since 1956, and by 1992 the Australian Institute of
Sport had a thriving canoe/kayak unit on Queensland’s
Gold Coast. Robinson paddled magnificently in his Barcelona
final, holding off sustained challenges from Greg Barton (US)
and Marin Popescu (Romania), then emptying every reserve of
energy in a finish that edged out the favourite Holmann. Afterwards
he was so dehydrated that he was unable to produce a urine
sample for doping analysis for six hours. Four years later
in Atlanta he lined up against Holmann again in the 1000m
final and led early, but was beaten into third place by the
Norwegian. (Holmann won again in Sydney in 2000). In Athens
in 2004, Robinson combined with his domestic rival Nathan
Baggaley to win a silver medal in the K2 500m final.
Robinson, who was awarded an OAM for the finest national
championship record of any surf lifesaver (when his gold-medal
tally reached 30), was also a promising young rugby league
footballer, but from the time he was 12 his ambition in sport
never deviated. In that year, 1984, he was watching the Los
Angeles Games on television when his father asked him what
he wanted to do with his life. Back came the answer: "I
want to go to the Olympics and win a gold medal."
1989: Robinson competed in the Uncle Toby's
Super Series (Professional Iron Man circuit) from 1989-1995
and dominated both the board and ski legs of the races. He
was named Australian Junior Sports Star of the Year 1989.
1992: Clint Robinson became Australia’s first canoe
/ kayak gold medallist to win the K-1 1000m final at Barcelona
in 1992. He was named Australian Institute of Sport Athlete
of the Year in 1992.
1993: Clint received an Order of Australia Medal [OAM].
1999: In 1999, he surpassed Trevor Hendy's record of 23 national
titles to become the most successful Australian surf lifesaver
ever.
2001: Clint was inducted into the Australian Institute of
Sport 'Best of the Best'.
2004: Clint was inducted into the Surf Lifesaving Hall of
Fame.
2008: He took his career tally in Surf Lifesaving to 36 National
Gold medals which continue to grow .
Clint is regarded as the greatest surfcraft
competitor in the history of Surf Lifesaving. He has won Australian
titles in the ski and board races and also won the board rescue,
board relay, double ski, ski relay and taplin relay. He even
won the Molokai 6 man Outrigger World Champion in 1992 and
has been the Molokai Surf Ski World Champion – 3 times
(2010, 2011 & 2013). This year he was second only 23 seconds
behind Hank McGregor.
Clint grew up in country Queensland just
outside Maroochydore and still chooses to live on the Sunshine
Coast. With his father as his primary coach, Clint’s
sporting life was very much a family affair.
**************************************
Hi Terry
I was interested in your Avon Descent/publicity article in
the last newsletter. I too was peeved that very little is
published so I contacted both my local newspapers. Fortunately
they took up the opportunity. The Examiner gave us a front
page large photo and article of Taitiarna and other members
training. The Comment News did a photoshoot yesterday and
this article will appear in next Tuesdays paper!
Regards
Robyn Brown, President, Champion Lakes Boating Club Kayaking
*************************************
FLARE RECALL
Zac Acott, Friday, 20 June 2014
WA skippers should check their flares after a national recall
of a red hand flare widely available throughout the State.
Drew Marine Signal & Safety Australia Pty Ltd has recalled
the Aurora red hand flare sold individually or as part of
the Aurora Inshore Flare Kit with lot numbers from 3186 to
3260.
More information about the recall is available at www.recalls.gov.au
For more information contact DoT Marine Safety Hotline on
1300 863 308 or visit the Department of Transport Flares webpage.
*************************************
Middle Swan Race
this Sunday
Sunday 29 June 2014
Middle Swan Reserve, Middle Swan Road
(off Reid Hwy near Bandyup Prison) West Swan.
Details further down.
|
