Kathy from The Pacific Northwest sez…

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Hi Brent,

I was in your Forward Stroke class at the Puget Sound Sea Kayak Symposium in Tacoma a few weeks ago. (I was in one of the classes with all women). My goal was to be able to keep up with all the 16-year old Boy Scouts that I'll be paddling with this summer. You said "Good Luck!" But I wanted to let you know that we went out last Saturday paddling for the day and I worked really hard on my efficient forward stroke, and I WAS OUT IN FRONT ALL DAY!!!!!! Before your class I was always lagging behind, but now I can keep up.

I was so excited. Plus, after practicing all day I finally got what you had said about paddling and getting the strength from your core (behind your belly button you said). I could feel it! It was great! Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for such a great class.

Now I just have to decide if I should let the other Scouts in on the secret
- but then how would I keep up????

Thanks,
Kathy

Heads UP about Clinics offered in Northern California!

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Kayak Clinic's By Brent Reitz KAYAK FORWARD STROKE CLINIC - JUNE 10, HALF MOON BAY, CA
All paddlers can improve upon their Forward Stroke, but adventure racers really benefit from a little coaching and practice! The popular Forward Stoke Clinic is taught by Brent Reitz, past national wildwater and marathon champion, and veteran of the U.S. Olympic sprint kayak program. It is the premiere clinic that brings the techniques of the elite Olympic kayaker to the recreational racer! In Brent's words, "The forward stroke is the most used, but least taught, and perhaps most poorly understood stroke in kayaking". Paddle more efficiently, avoid injury, avoid bad habits that cause further injury. Learn proper technique from the very beginnning, or tune-up your skills to gain more power per stroke!"


Brent will give his Kayak Forward Stoke clinic on June 10 at California Canoe & Kayak in Half Moon Bay, and again on July 15 on the Oakland Estuary. Past participants include many top regional kayak racers, as well as aspiring adventure race team members. We video your stroke throughout the clinic, and review the tape during the class for analysis and feedback. If you have never seen yourself paddling on video, this is one of the best ways to improve your forward stroke! Brent will blow your mind with his precise but gentle critique.


For more info, or to sign up online:
http://www.calkayak.com/infopop.cfm?classID=258


Kenny Howell
Sea Kayak Program Director
California Canoe & Kayak
http://www.calkayak.com
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
650-728-9616

Symposium Number Two was Rock’n!

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Puget Sound Sea Kayak Symposium is really on the Upswing! I'm presenting in Tacoma Washington this weekend. Lots of folks and NEW paddlers. The Puget Sound is BEAUTIFUL, and the folks up here are Hungry For The Knowledge! It's always great to get such good feedback after giving one of my presentations. I strongly suggest, that if you are reading this from the Pacific Northwest, to plan on attending this event Next Year. The attendenc keeps growing, and the list of presenters that Julie and Ken have put togeher is very impressive. Lots of great instruction and knowledge to share....Not to mention the ROCK'N PARTY Sat. nite! I was invited up on stage to play some harmonica with a really Great Band. Ken assures me the band will be even MORE Rock'n next year. Fun was had by all....come on UP! brent

Zsolt’s Surfski Workout ROCKS!

Monday, January 29, 2007

Yesterday I attended one of the most productive Kayaking/Surfskiing workouts for a long time. Zsolt's workout in Sauslitio, CA Kick's Butt! It was a flashback to Olympic Sprint Training days for me. It was intense AND Fun! We had 9 guys and one woman, all on surfskis. Zslot had a coach-boat and driver. He also took video. We had an ass-kick'n sprint workout that focused on not only Speed but Technique as well. Then off to Carter and Sally's home to have our technique critiqued from the film. The Video Session was a special one-time item added. The Workout is the key ingredient for everyone to take advantage of. Everyone came away a Stronger and Smarter paddler! Zsolt holds these training sessions each Sunday at the Sea Trek Beach @ 9:30 am. If you want a taste of the Real Thing, head on over to Sauslito Sunday mornings! I do not have all the contact details for Zsolt, but you can follow the action by watching the Surfski Websites. He posts his upcoming workouts there. Cheers, and go join The Real Deal on Sundays! Brent

Sacramento Clinic was a BLAST!

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Teaching The Forward Stroke Kayak Clinic for California Canoe & Kayak in Lake Natoma is always a pleasure. The Sun was HOT, The Facility is State Of The Art and the folks in my class were Great! Everyone was happy at the end of the day. Of course there are always those times throughout the day where I catch my students concentrating so hard that they need to be reminded that they are suppose to be having FUN! It's a good thing tho. I had beginners up through advanced intermeidate paddlers. No racers, but there was one woman on Huki Surf Ski. (Once she gets "the racing bug" it's hard to give it up!). This class was embraced by the Sierra Paddling Club, and it filled fast once they got wind I was coming to their area. Another interesting factor was that most of this class were women. They were turning to Kayaking as a low-impact sport that they planned to do for a very long time. Women understand that Technique is key to get the most beniifit from their muscle-mass. In many cases, a guy can have poor technique, but be able to move the boat quickly simply becasue he has more muscle-mass. A woman understands that she needs to "use what she's got", in it's most efficient manner, to get full enjoyment from her sport. It's great to turn folks on the the sport I love. Looking forward to my next class for CCK in Oakland this July! Cheers, b

Thank You to WISCONSIN & Rutabaga!

Friday, June 09, 2006

Forward Stroke Kayaking Clinics In Wisconsin were a SMASHING Success as usual! Thanks to all back in Madison WI. and Rutabaga Paddlesports for the enthuisum. Man, folks back there are HUNGRY for the knowledge! As usual all my stroke clinics were sold-out. I had a very wide range of abilities in my clinics, which always makes me feel good. One fellow was, as he referred to himself, The Old Guy" and probably in his Sixties - Seventies. I also had two High-School kids as well. I Love That! Everyone seemed very satisfied with the training they received, and had Big Smiles on their faces by the time the clinics were over. Remember my Motto: "Paddling is More FUN, The Less Tired You Are". Darren, Jeff, Nancy and The Staff of Rutabaga are always very supportive when I arrive. I really feel like their shop is a Flagship for what a Paddlesport Shop should be. Great Job you guys, and THANK YOU for the Warm Mid-West Hospitality! I'm off to Sacramento to teach this weekend for California Canoe & Kayak, so The Beat Goes On! Just remember "Long & Strong"! Have Fun on the Water, b

Off To The Midwest for 3-Back-To-Back Clinics Memorial Day Weekend

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Headed to Madison WI to teach 3 Kayaking Clinics this Weekend! Hey All, just a note to let you know it's time for my annual pilgrimage to Madison, WI once again. I love it there, and the folks there are really Hot for paddling info! In the past, I have taught as many students in Madison in one solid week, than I teach back home in California in the entire summer! Crazy and Great all at the same time. The folks at Rutabaga, http://www.rutabaga.com always treat me special. I enjoy supporting their teaching program "back home". Yes, I was raised in Wisconsin, (before I even considered what a kayak was or what it would do to me!...), it's nice to get back to my roots each year as well. So, off to The Great White North and a lot of good teaching and good times. Enjoy your holiday weekend, Brent

San Diego ROCKED as Usual!

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

The 2-Day Forward Stroke Kayak Clinic in San Diego was another Smashing Success We had 16 students over the 2-Days of Forward Stroke Workshops May 6 & 7th. It's always great to teach down in San Diego, aside from the obvious attractions, The Climate, The Lifestyle and The Vibe; my students are always so hungry for the knowledge! It seems as tho, regardless of their ability or stature in the Kayaking Universe, beginners to experts all gain obvious satisfaction at the day's end. I think that's what keeps me doing this! I had folks from all-walks of paddling: Over the 2-days, I had Five Adventure Racers, One or Two paddling couples, and of course, both individual Men & Women paddlers. They all came from varied backgrounds and all had their own set of expectations. They all seemed to be Smiling at the end of the day, and that's how I Declare Victory! Aqua Adventures does a fantastic job of taking care of their students, and Jen always seems to throw a bit of a Private-Party as we come off The Water to decompress from a Big Day. Thanks to all My Students and "Jen and The Crew" @ Aqua Adventures http://www.aqua-adventures.com. I'm looking forward to booking the next Forward Stroke Workshop toward the End of Summer or early Fall. Cheers and Happy Paddling! Brent

Lot’s ‘O Fun @ Half Moon Bay Clinic

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Half Moon Bay Kayak Clinic was another Great One! We had a blast in Half Moon Bay this past Sunday, April 9th. California Canoe & Kayak always puts on a great show in Half Moon Bay! I even got to jump up on stage with my harmonicas, as John Lull invited me to play with him at the local pub that evening! I was a bit concerned about all the rain us soggy Californians have been slogging around in for the class tho. From my standpoint, not a big deal for paddling, but YES a big deal for Mark Burk my videographer! He was undaunted tho, and Low & Behold...The Weatherman Was WRONG! NOAH Weather called for 70% chance of showers, but we ended up paddling in (some) Sunshine instead! Looking forward to seeing those of you who are coming to the San Diego May 6 & 7th Clinics. Always a blast down there too! Cheers, b

Half Moon Bay Kayak Clinic Tomorrow, April 9th!

Saturday, April 08, 2006

Forward Stroke Kayak Clinic in Half Moon Bay Tomorrow! Hi All, just a reminder that I will be teaching in Half Moon Bay tomorrow, April 9. Let's hope that the wildly wet winter here in Northern California will give us a short reprieve for tomorrow's video session. I look forward to seeing you all sometime during this season. I believe there may be a single spot remaining in the class tomorrow. Check my "Clinic's Page" above for the link to California Canoe and Kayak's website in order to sign up. Cheers and have fun! brent