Paroz Paddling the Planet

Last week I wrote about the skis I paddle, this week, I am going to write about the equipment I use while I race and train. Every ski needs a paddle; I have always used Performance Paddles as they are made locally on the Sunshine Coast.   All of my paddles are in the ‘CR’ layup, both of my blades (open ocean and kayak paddles) have a joiner in them, so it is easier to travel with them. If you want more information on the paddles and how to order yourself a new paddle I have attached the website below. http://performancepaddles.com In most ocean ski races you have to wear a suitable lifejacket or a Personal Floatation Device (PFD).   After using a few different types of PFD’s I found the Mocke Racer PFD felt the most comfortable when I paddled and it didn’t let my body overheat. With 6 adjustment straps I find that the lifejacket fits perfectly around my upper body. Below I have attached the Mocke paddling website. http://mockepaddling.com Weekly Wrap up

Within the next 2 weeks, I am going to be doing 2 different types of races on my Epic ocean ski and Dolphin surf ski. In this post I will be discussing the individual skis that I am using. When it comes to the decision of what ski to use, it comes down to a simple question,  “what type of event am I doing?” I will use my Epic ski in ‘marathon’ ocean events and the longer training session, whereas I will use my Dolphin surf ski in the Surf life saving events. For the last few months I have been paddling Epic’s V14 in the Ultra construction (Red Tip).  The ski weights 12 kg (26.5 lbs) the length of the ski is 6.4m (21.0 Ft) with a width of 42.9cm (16.9 In).  I have been using my V14 in all types of condition from paddling in the flat water of the river, to chasing the wind and swell out in the ocean and have been enjoying it more and more and am looking forward to racing in it this weekend. To make it easier I have attached Epic Kayaks website below for you to have a look at their range

Welcome, Over the past month I have made a major lifestyle change, by altering my diet and taking out gluten and reducing the amount of dairy that I consume. For myself gluten use to be everywhere in my diet, eating fresh bread and having a few chocolate biscuits as a little treat. I knew it was going to be a big challenge to drop it completely out of my diet but I knew it was going to make me feel better in the long run. The reasoning for this was due to the fact I was continually feeling flat (lacking energy) and getting sick, since dropping gluten and reducing the amount of dairy that is in my diet, I have started to feel better and have been having more energy during the day. Even though I cannot eat the majority of foods my friends can, I have been finding the ‘modified’ foods and how great they taste.  Weekly wrap up This last week has been really fun, starting back at Uni with my friends and also getting to use the facilities that were offered to me with my Uni Schola

Welcome all,  As years of training stack upon each other the journey to top becomes more and more addictive. Starting nippers at the age of 10, I was at the bottom of my sporting career, not wanting to be competitive I enjoyed learning about the beach and also how to avoid danger if it ever arose. As I started to get older my competitive streak grew, by u13’s I wanted to compete at the nipper state titles that were being held at North Kirra that year (highest level a nipper can race at). By the first year into the senior club came around most of my friends had a little taste at what it was like to race at the “Aussies”, for most like myself the journey to the Australian titles would consist of at least 40 weeks of hard training and commitment. After 2 years of hard training in the senior club I tasted my first bit of success, being the youngest male to complete the 30.5 Km Coolangatta gold (short course), achieving my first state medal and also winning my first national medal. But