Here’s a Note From California Canoe & Kayak re: my upcoming clinic in Half Moon Bay, CA

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

The U.S. Surfski National Championships are just around the corner. The last weekend in Sept. MOST of the TOP WORLD Ski Racers will end up on the San Francisco Bay to duel it out on American Waters. Go to http://www.wavechaser.com for more details. This race is not just for the Superstars of the sport, it's still about challenging yourself and most importantly...Having FUN! If you'd like to "tune-up" for the event (or for paddling in general!), call Kenny or sign-up on their website. Lets go paddle together! Cheers, brent Even with all the training going on leading up to the US Surfski Championships at the end of the month, there is still time to improve your forward stroke!
Brent Reitz is holding a clinic at CCK Half Moon Bay on Sept. 23. This clinic focuses on the finer details of the forward stroke, with special attention given to the wing paddle. Brent Reitz, 6 time National Wildwater Champion, discusses stroke mechanics, body posture, boat dynamics, and more. We video and critique your stroke during the class and review the tape! Most of the clinic takes place on the water.
Remember, it's not pure strength, but good technique that's important! For more info on the clinic, Brent's bio, or to sign up, go to:
http://www.calkayak.com/infopop.cfm?classID=258

-Kenny Howell
650-784-7377

Heres a Great Sounding Race to keep an eye on, or GO RACE IN!

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

I'm not going to make this kayak race, but it sounds GREAT and wanted to get the word out... Re: Phatwater Kayak Challnege, 2007:


Thanks Brent, I will look forward to next year and will keep you updated. Next year's race will be on the 11th of October.


At this time, we have this lineup for this year: Mike Herbert, Reid Hyle, and another from South Africa. He's ranked 10th in the world in some off-shore race (ski) out of Durban or Cape Town. Also, defending champ Shawn Wilber will be here, and the reining champ (time wise) Wim Nouwen will be here, we think, in an Epic V-10. We also have captured the attention of some other notable ski paddlers from California, Texas, and Minnesota, so the field should be "hot". Still haven't heard from Pete Green, but we hope he will make it.


As to other business, we love your "Forward Stroke" video and would like to purchase six copies as give-aways for this year. We are also giving away six of Justine Curgeven's "This Is The Sea" DVD.


I will place an order tomorrow
Sincerely,


Keith E. Benoist
Founder/Director
Phatwater Kayak Challenge

New Kayaking Clinic Date for Fall 2007

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Hey all, just wanted to let you know that my schedule has freed up to allow for a clinic on Oct 21, 2007. (Sorry for the break in Aug.) I'm also available for a Stroke Clinic on Sept 23, but due to short notice, we need YOU to let California Canoe and Kayak know you are interested! If you would like to sign up for a clinic on the Sept Date, please contact Kenny Howell and let him know right away! Kenny's email address is mailto:Kenny@calkayak.com. Depending on response, we may or may not, hold this clinic. To sign up for the Oct 21 Clinic, go to http://www.calkayak.com and click on the INSTRUCTION pages to find my clinic-listing. I'll be teaching in Half Moon Bay California. Cheers and hope to see you this Fall, brent

Jim now “See’s The Light”!

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Jim is interested in racing his Kayak. He has some nice observations about different ways to get "the light to come on" when learning from my DVD! Dear Brent:

I watched your video several times and then put it to work on the water. One thing I wasn't getting was the pushing hand coming across the body. I thought I was doing everything right, but I kept finding myself punching straight down the hull of the boat, exactly what I wasn't suppose to do. I kept trying, but it wasn't coming together, so I gave up and tried one other thing you mentioned and that was to keep the blade vertical as long as possible. I figured I'd just try that. Guess what? My pushing hand came straight across my face. Sometimes you have to say it more than one way to get it across to boneheads like me. This was what worked for me.

I tried spearing the salmon. Very quickly, I discovered pain in my elbows, so I backed off to my old technique. The pain went away. Then I noticed that my stroke was actually quite good. I wasn't slapping the water or pushing air. My paddle was completely submerged when I put on the power. I figured that I had it right from the beginning. Cool!

The exit: I have an AT paddle, with a slight modified crank. I love this paddle. However, when I tried to find the right exit point, I found that it didn't seem to matter. The paddle exited flawlessly from any point. The only time I have an issue with my exit is when a steep wave hits at the exact point of exit. That's when I feel a "sticky" feel as the paddle seems reluctant to exit the water. Thoughts? Also, I'm eagerly awaiting my new wing from Patrick at ONNO Paddles in Hawaii. If you like, I'll let you know how that works.

Over all results: With my AT paddle and my extreme kayak by Current Designs, I would cruise at 5.2 mph. After watching your video, I'm cruising at 5.6. That's nearly a 7% increase. Today, I was paddling hard and checked my GPS. I wasn't going all out or anything, but I was doing what I'd call a hard cruise. My GPS said that my top speed was 6.6 mph. If that's accurate, HOLY COW! My all out top speed has increased too. I've hit 7.5 mph after tweaking my technique after watching your video. I can't wait to see the results after my wing arrives.

Thanks,

Jim

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

Head’s UP on the Next Classes offered in Northern California!

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Kayak Clinics 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, and avoid bad habits that cause further injury. Learn proper
technique from the very beginning, 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

650-728-9616

Heads UP about Clinics offered in Northern California!

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

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

Another GREAT Southwest Sea Kayak Symposium!

Monday, April 02, 2007

Special Thanks to my friends both New and Old in San Diego this past weekend. Man, what a GREAT event. Every year Jen and her staff @ Aqua Adventures throw a "Rock'n" Event! This year the instruction was Second-to-None! She had a literal Army of Highly Decorated BCU Coaches leading the charge. All the attendees were subject to some of the most dedicated paddling instructors in the world. They came from as far as Holland, Wales, Florida, NYC, Seattle and beyond. Some of the ACA Instructors came from the Pacific Northwest and beyond as well. In my classes alone, I had students from as far as Colorado, Arizona and Northern California. My classes went excellently. I once again was given the opportunity to enlighten 16 more paddlers...I LOVE it! The Campfire Party, (Which has become a focal-point of this Event & Party) turned into a great acoustic-jam with 4-Guitars, 1-Percussionist and 1-Harp Player (yours truly!)...At one point there were probably 60 or more folks huddled around a roaring Campfire on the Beach, singing and throwing back a few cocktails before retiring to their respective campsites...Each year Jen and her Staff at Aqua Adventures throw a great Show/Party that's filled with both Coaching, Product Info and Pure Paddler-FUN. I saw a bunch of Old Friends and made a great bunch of NEW Ones. Thank you to ALL who created and attended The Southwest Sea Kayak Symposium last weekend. It's a One-Of-A-Kind Paddling Event that I am both Proud and Honored to be part of. Cheers, br

Check out the Jamm’n fun

Friday, March 30, 2007

Hey All: In case you did not know, I am an avid Harmonica Player and
Love Play'n Dem Blues. The name of my Band is Bad Habits. Check out our site at http://www.badhabitsmusic.com for "The Other Side of Brent"!! br