Watch Ed McKeever on the CatchForce.

Setting aside an athlete’s personal attributes; Genetic physical characteristics, mental fortitude and drive, Skill set and Strategy.

It is, as every athlete is crucially aware his or her physical Training that has the greatest degree of net positive effect on performance. Which is precisely why, day in day out, rain or shine the elite athlete is committed to and dedicated to his or training regimen. It is the biggest influenceable variable on performance outcome.

K. Anders Ericsson* and his colleagues (see Ericsson, Krampe & Tesch-Römer, 1993).  have hypothesized that it was not simply training of any type, but the engagement in "deliberate practice" that was necessary for the attainment of expertise.” If this is correct this would then argue the case for specificity in training.

In the arsenal of tools available and currently gaining momentum, especially given the introduction of the strength / power oriented 200m events is the “slider” machine - a gravity resistance strength building platform oriented in specificity. Used as far back as 20 years ago based upon an idea by Technique Guru Dr. Imre Kemecsey [HUN] it is quickly gaining favour with many top paddlers in the  last few years in an effort to gain the winning edge. CatchForce by KayakPro the choice of many.

Early proponents of the slider Danielle Scarpa and Antonio Rossi, [ITA] 1996 Atlanta Olympic Gold K2 Medalists swear by this type of machine:

It's a very important piece of equipment as it replicates a specific muscle functional movement, it contributed to our success.

Petter Menning [SWE]  World Champion 200m 2013 comments of CatchForce:

I think it makes you focus on each stroke in a more controlled manner than at a normal ergo or outside paddling. I can focus the catch face with more resistance and in that way I feel that I have become stronger in the catch in my normal kayak training outside!

Links

• Also read and watch: 'On the ergometer with 200 meter sprint specialist Petter Menning'
• Instruction ergometer: http://youtu.be/a7e09kOpb6U

* Ref: Ericsson KA, Krampe RT, Tesch-Römer C (1993).  The role of deliberate practice in the acquisition of expert performance.  Psychological Review 100, 363-406