The recent Slingshot Art of Power Cable/Kiteboard clinic was a huge success!

How do we measure success as coaches.....well simple really, watching a rider transform/progress from where they were on day one of the clinic too watching riders land their first ever powered unhooked trick or back roll hooked in, or even watching a young gun smash the bag out of a toe 5 off the big booter. Now that is progression.

The clinic format consisted of some of Australia's best coaches and riders hooking double up at the cable park in the first few hours of the day and instruct side by side each rider. This gave each rider the chance to discuss with their coach what they wanted to achieve over the two days. Then the coach would strip away the bad and build the good. Starting with stance of the modern kiteboarder, very back foot heavy and no real edge control. So with drills like board slides, 180's both switch, front and backside, riders were starting to feel and use their board for how it was designed, more edge and less fin and this saw them building more and more confidence. Once the wind picked up we headed to the beach to put it all down on a kite!

As the days progressed we saw riders of all levels lift and try things they have only seen in videos! Both guys and girls were hitting kickers, sliding boxes, with some of the crew starting to nail the B-jesus out of 3s, scarecrows and as mentioned a huge toe 5.

Overall, every rider no matter what level they came into clinic at, all progressed further in the two days than they would in months of kiting, and this format is one we will definitely use again. I think every one will agree with the right coaching and support the kickers and sliders loose their intimidation factor and riders see the style factor and ease of hitting these obstacles once they understand board control.

All the coaching staff were stoked on how each and every rider individually progressed, and lets face it with coaches like Josh O'Connell (Slingshot Wakeboader and king of rail Steez) and Cam Prest (kiteboarding champion) at the helm you could not do anything but progress. These guys including guest coach Dave Sorrensen from Slingshot really know their stuff and have a way with coaching that really allows the rider to see!

We are currently planning more clinics, with a freestyle kiteboard clinic coming very soon to the Noosa region through Adventure Sports. We will also be running a three day intensive winter program at the cable park where riders can camp, ride, drink, eat and tell stories. With a fire and use of the BBQ and hot shower facilities this will be an absolute beauty, so stay tuned for further up dates later in the season.

In finishing, if you are a rider that is looking to progress no matter what level, get in touch with your local Slingshot dealer, let them know and we will organise a clinic in your area. If you ask a rider from the clinic the answer is well worth the money, time, effort and the little amount of commitment needed to add steps in helping to achieve your riding goals.

It was awesome to help another group of passionate, motivated and generally nice people in their kiting endevours. A big thanks to to all the coaches, Slingshot and Mystic, Andrea Blythe for her video and photography, Dave Mac for the use of his boat and camera and to all of the riders for their fantastic attitudes.

See you soon, best wishes

Chris Wardell
Slingshot Head Coach
chrwar@westnet.com.au

P.S all the photo's and a DVD will be sent to the riders as well as some of the shots and video uploaded to Sea Breeze and Youtube.....