Training
Kiwis launch kayak paddle power meter
It’s the invention you never knew you needed. It’s certainly a world first – a paddle with a built in power monitor, to tell you how much effort you’re putting in and whether you need to put, well, a bit more in.
Depression and comeback in sport
It takes resilience to compete at the highest levels of our sport, and even the most successful competitors will experience the pain and disappointment of failure at some time in their careers.
Fat nutritionist? Lose some weight!
So you’re an elite athlete and your sports governing body appoints a nutritionist to come and advise you on your body’s needs. Trouble is, you need someone you can respect and rely on and this nutritionist is, how shall we put it, um…horizontally challenged?
How to deal with doubt and making major decisions
Decisions, decisions. Competitors are faced with choices all the time. Do I respond to the unexpected challenger in the next lane or stick to my race plan in a 1000 m race? Which line do I take on this upstream gate? What races should I do this season? Should I work with a new coach? Do I retire or keep going for another season?
Protein balls – training & racing food
Ever needed just a little snack to keep you going in between training session or races? Packed with protein and natural ingredients I have created some great protein balls that hopefully help me race fast over the weekend!
News and views from Tate Smith’s world of elite sport & nutrition
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The art of performance: act powerfully, relate well, think straight
I’ve learned that the most successful athletes in any discipline are the ones who have learned how to master their performance – and this involves far more than what happens on the water.
Why are some sprint athletes perceived as the world’s greatest technicians?
A week ago I came across a video with Knut Holmann (Norway) racing at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. The person who posted the video on YouTube classified Holmann as "technically the best paddler ever". Next sentence: "you can't go wrong with either Knut or Adam van Koeverden..."
The perfect post training breakfast by Jo Brigden-Jones
They say the most important meal of the day is breakfast, so why don’t you do yourself a favour and create something fresh, healthy and simple to kick start your day! I have never been the biggest fan of breakfast but after years of hard training I have realised that it is crucial to refuel my body after my mornings training session.
Efficiency of sports is 1 in 4. For ex-smokers the pay is even slightly better
The message is pretty clear: people who spend approximately 75 minutes per week on moderate to intense physical activity (moderate intense: brisk walk, gardening, etc.) live an average 1.8 years longer than those who do nothing to move.
Tim Tam Cheesecake by Jo Brigden-Jones
Two weeks ago we published Ben Brown's Athlete Roast, which was delicious and nutritious! Then we came across this Tim Tam Cheesecake recipe from London Olympian Jo Brigden-Jones.
Nelo Masters Camp
Training camps are no longer something specific for the professional athletes or national teams and the demand for a service aimed for Masters is growing.
Concern over food supplements
International sporting federations are becoming increasingly worried about the number of athletes taking unapproved food supplements. Earlier this year a canoeist, Jan Sterba (pictured below), failed a doping test in the run-up to the London Games.
Does Perfection Equate to Success?
Elite sportspeople are often seen as role models. They demonstrate physical strength, determination, resilience, talent, and hard work. They are successful in what they do. There is a stereotype that sportspeople are ‘squeaky-clean’.
Getting ready to race – the importance of a mental warm up
Every competitor knows that it’s necessary to warm-up before a race. But how many pay as much attention to their mental warm-up as they do to stretching their body, loosening their muscles and increasing their heart rate?
How to prepare for your first Olympics?
The 2016 Games are approaching fast, and the next few months will be critical for athletes. I want to talk about some of the challenges that first time Olympians will face in Rio – and offer some reminders for those who have competed at the Games before.
How to reproduce a good performance during an important race
Question: During training sessions I perform well and feel confident. How do I reproduce this during an important race?