Every canoeist has something

While some canoeists have found inventive ways to train in their swimming pools, there are many other ways paddlers can maintain their muscle strength and fitness until lockdown ends.

So says Dabulamani Canoe Club head coach, Atilla Adrovicz, who is a former canoeing world champion and Olympic medalist.He has provided different exercise routines for his junior and senior paddlers.

Many elite canoeists train at Dabulamanzi and so Adrovicz has had to cater to these as well as social paddlers.

“Most of Dabs’ elite senior athletes use a paddle ergometer at home so they are doing the daily and weekly special ergo programmes,” he explained.

“Some athletes have a swimming pool at home so they also can do canoeing exercises there. Juniors have special one-hour exercises daily they can easily to anywhere at home.”

Adrovicz has a good relationship with the Hungarian Canoeing Federation, which publishes professional video presentations of special canoeing exercises people can do under lockdown.

The local coach has access to these videos and passes them on to his canoeists, as well as junior school paddlers who train under the Dabs canoeing programmes.

“Hopefully soon we can start legally canoeing on the water. Canoeing is a very safe activity in light of the virus. International experts have established that any water sport is safe for this time.

“In fact, the International Canoeing Federation may yet approve the holding of the junior and senior Sprint World Championships in Hungary in September, Adrovicz believes.

“Very few school sports in South Africa naturally provide social distances. I believe canoeing can be the solution long-term for a junior’s school activity. Luckily Dabulamanzi has lots of equipment and coaching structures available for juniors.”