Invitational Canoe Training Camp Summary 2002

A three day intensive C1 training camp was organized and coached by David Hearn and hosted at the Bethesda Center of Excellence October 18-20, 2002. Eight athletes attended the camp, of the eleven invited. The group consisted of Neil Quinn, Kurtis Palmero, Erik Amason, Marshall Anderson, Mackie Roberts, Chad Lewis, Benn Fraker, and Nick Lomas. Four athletes came from GA, two from PA, one from TN, and one locally from VA. Athletes ranged in age from 13 to 18 years. Of the three invited athletes unable to attend, one had plans to race in CT the same weekend, one was recovering from recent shoulder surgery, and one did not respond. Athletes were emailed September 23rd and asked to choose their most convenient weekend from one October and two November weekends. The October date, being most popular, was selected and announced October 4th.

We were fortunate to have quite good water levels on the Potomac River from recent rains in the area. The Little Falls gauge level rose from 3.5 feet early Friday to nearly 4 feet that afternoon and peaked at just above 4 feet on Saturday.

Athletes arrived by car (6), or by plane (2). A parent or grandparent accompanied five athletes on the trip.

Jennifer Hearn was instrumental in managing organizational details of the camp. The camp was free to the athletes. Athletes paid for transportation and food costs. PowerBars, Harvest Bars, and Pria Bars were provided to all participants. Homestays, where desired, were arranged for participants, and two athletes stayed in a local hotel with their accompanying adult. Bethesda Center of Excellence, BCE club facilities and whitewater slalom gate courses were utilized for the camp.

Friday, October 18, 2002

First in are Mackie Roberts and Neil Quinn who drove overnight from Atlanta, arriving today in the early am. They paddle on the Dickerson Whitewater Course in the late morning, with Coach Hearn providing tips and comments at the course. Afterward they study the model of the Dickerson course and help Coach Hearn with ongoing work testing the bottom drop features on the Dickerson Whitewater Course model while discussing with Hearn their daily at home.

4:10 pm - 6:10 pm: Feeder Canal coached workout: Technique on short gate courses: 3 courses, 25 runs, timed and scored, technical points discussed with Coach Hearn. Chad Lewis, Mackie Roberts, Neil Quinn, and Erik Amason. Two more athletes arrive this evening, and a final two will arrive in the morning.

Saturday, October 19, 2002

8:00 am: C1 Camp meeting, Brookmont Church, in Bethesda, Maryland.

8:30 am - 10:30 am: Group #1: Chad Lewis, Benn Fraker, Nick Lomas, Mackie Roberts.

10:30 am - 12:30 pm: Group #2: Kurtis Palmero, Marshall Anderson, Neil Quinn, Erik Amason.

Gate workout, Feeder Canal, timed and scored, with 2 runs added format, 4 courses, 2+2, 2, 2+2, 2+2, rankings tallied after each course, same courses used for both groups so times could be compared among all eight athletes. Coach Hearn provides technique guidance.

12:30 pm: Lunch break

1:30 - 2:30 pm: Video Session Brookmont Church featuring top international C1s in World Cups on Olympic courses, 1996 and 2000.

3:30 pm- 6:30 pm Surfing on the Potomac River (level 4.10 ft) Paddle up the Mather Gorge from Angler’s Inn to Rocky Island, stroke and attainment coaching by David Hearn during the trip upstream, whitewater technique towards successful surfing and enders. Most of the group attained up the Maryland channel past Sandy Beach and out to S-turn to return to Angler's Inn. Had the perfect river level for this session.

7 pm: Dinner break.

8:00 pm - 10:00 pm: Training talk, Brookmont Church. Coach Hearn details 10 minute daily shoulder routine with handout and discussion, group stretching session, and 2003 race schedule handout. We are honored to welcome a special guest, five-time World Champion Jon Lugbill, who visits for one hour plus, and participates in question and answer session with the group.

Distributed new BCE member Dickerson Cards.

Sunday, October 20, 2002

8:30 am: Met at the Dickerson Whitewater Course, Dickerson, Maryland. Walk together and look at the new course layout, discussed/organized our workout, moved gates into position. Turned water on in model of Dickerson Whitewater Course and discussed ongoing course renovation plans.

9:30 am - 11:30 am: Full length runs x 6, timed and scored with half splits by coach Hearn, comments on strategy, pacing, and technique, eight boats on course, 1/6 flow was just enough to be able to get in a good workout, challenging conditions but it resulted in very good group training, learning about where to put on the power to take advantage of deep powerful flow, and where to glide and wait for the best place to pull.

12:30-3 pm: Camp wrap-up at course and over lunch near the Dickerson course with several athletes. Athletes depart for home.

Respectfully submitted,

David Hearn
301 229 2201
Maximum Whitewater Performance
October 25, 2002

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