JULIEN BILLAUT

“Relevant constraints leads to self expression and performance outcomes”

In the episode 14 we discuss the different constraints that we can use to create functional solutions in training that trigger performance outcomes. What are the demands of the sport, the degree of variability in canoe slalom that can potentially be used and structured to plan an effective learning process.

We discuss 3 categories of constraints: Individual constraints, Environmental (physical, cultural) constraints, Task constraints; and how we can use those different types of constraints to modify the training environment to learn meaningful outcomes that match the “real stuff” of racing.

My belief is that each individual has his own way of moving and therefore we should structure learning environment to help each paddlers to develop their onw style as oppsoed to teach them one style. From this belief I am convinced that a successful training environment is a session where, by modifying relevant parameters, the athlete is guided towards his own way of dealing with things. I love to think that constraint is a path to freedom

You can undersatnd more by reading those 2 books:
– “Motor Learning in Practice: a constraints=led approach by I.Renshaw. K.Davids & P.Savelsbergh
– “Non Linear Pedagogy in skill acquisition: an introduction” by J.Y.Chow, K.Davids. C.Button, I.Renshaw

Enjoy

Stroke, Transmission, Steering, Balance are the key skills to continuously master to master canoeing and kayaking

In the Episode 13, I speak about the basics skills we all need to master to later progress in the sport. Stroke, Transmission, Steering, Balance are the building blocks of the sport; they are the fundamentals that need to be continusously mastered day after day to become more and more accurate. Stroke will enable you to create a fixed point in the water on a meaningful spot of the river; transmission will help you bring that force from the top (blade) down to the boat or from the bottom (boat) to the top (blade) by organising your body in a smart way; steering happens when you start using you boat and hips to apply pressure on the water with your edges and create speed. Of course, the balance will be key all the way thourgh the progression and enable the paddler to stay on top of his kayak. You will find simple but effective drills to explore those fundamentals but think for yourself and explore the possibilities.

Enjoy the podcast!

 

“A good warm-up should trigger a chain of physical changes that ease the body into optimal emotional, cognitive and physical states to thrive for performance”

“Everything is freaking possible! Everyday day you have got the chance to change and you can be whoever you want to be. It’s a matter of choice” Fabien Lefèvre

Fabien Lefèvre is a French paddler that has raced for France from 2000 to 2012 and for the USA from from 2013. He is double Olympic medallist (Athens and Beijing)in Kayak, 3 times World Champion in individual event including 2 titles K1, 1 in C1 and on top of that to Silver medal in C2; those results make him the most successful paddler across all classes in canoe slalom. And 4 Gold in the Teams Events in K1 and C2. An an overall World Cup Win in K1.

Fabien is well known for is blistering ascension to the top of the Canoe Slalom World with a first K1 World Champion title at 20 years of age and his unique successful career in 3 classes in the sport and the innovation he’s brought into canoe slalom paddling.

Fabien has always been a polarising person; I really urge you to listen to what he has to say with an open mind because Fabien discussed the many incredible subjects with depth. With decades of experience, he doesn’t speak directly about technique and skills development but rather about what underlines those and how to trigger the best learning.

In this very inspiring talk, Fabien discusses his growth thanks to the sport with the help of his ego first and then how his encounter with God helped him to shed his skin and move forward. Now growth of the soul and spirituality are is main goals in life.

His approach to performance his truly holistic as he speaks about being align with your values, deep motivations, belief system and how you have to behave according to those everyday in training and racing.

He discusses the Men’s Kayak training group in the early years with Benoit Peschier (2004 Olympic Champion) and myself and Sylvain Curinier as a coach. The quality of the communication was critical rule for us.

We speak about the challenges of K1, C2, C1, the skills he developed in each class, the evolution of boat design and innovation, the difference between the French system and the American System and why he chose to compete for the US.

Listen until the end because at the end, Fabien tells us the many meaning of his tattoo on his torso.

Bear with us, because there are many gold nuggets to athletes here on how to become more organic and aligned with who you are in your paddling career.

Enjoy this very deep and inspiring talk with Fabien Lefèvre.

If you have enjoyed listening to Fabien Lefevre, you may want to listen to the following:

Jean-Yves Cheutin one of his former coach on the French Team here or to Denis Gargaud Chanut (2016 Olympic Champion and former C2 teammate of Fabien) here

“I want to have more knowledge about Canoe Slalom, sport management to be able to make an impact in canoeing in Asia” Sherry CHEN

Sherry is a Canoe women athlete who won Silver at the Asian Games in 2018 and 2014.

She has an inspiring story starting in a swimming pool in Taiwan and now racing against the best in the World across the globe.
Sherry wants to learn as much as she can about canoe slalom to be able to give back to this beautiful Olympic sport.

After graduating in Sport management in Taiwan, Sherry is now training full time to prepare in the hope of a selection to the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020. On her path to excellence, she has learnt a whole lot as an athlete, a coach , head coach, and a race organiser.

She is always thrilled to have the privilege to race in Europe on Olympic venues, be part of the ICF Talent Identification Program.

Sherry would like the Asian countries to collaborate better so they can mutualise their efforts and resources to develop the sport in the Asian region, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan and China. Human ressources are there but they need still lack the knowledge to be able to run events efficiently. As she puts it, an Asian Cup organised by the Asian Canoe Confederation would be an exciting prospect!

Please enjoy the discussion with Sherry

You may want to listen to the ICF Canoe Slalom and White Water developement Coordinator Pierrick Gosselin here: