Improving your performance
is our passion
THE TiP MISSION
Whether we’re coaching online or in person, at TiP we’re passionate about helping athletes of all levels paddle better and reach their maximum potential. That’s why it’s important for us to be able to read and understand any athlete’s needs, quickly identify what will help them progress the fastest, and keep them motivated.
In order to keep improving our training systems for everyone from recreational athletes who want to improve their paddling, to elite athletes preparing for the Olympics; we are continuously developing our tools, metrics, methods, and exercises, keeping state-of-the-art technique analysis at the heart of everything we do.
The incredible natural beauty and near perfect conditions of our 3 training lakes are a constant source of inspiration for us at TiP, and if you visit us here in Slovenia, we look forward to sharing the experience that is – Training in Paradise!
National Teams
Countries
Olympic Medals
2019 Worlds Athletes
Tokyo Qualifiers
2019 Worlds Medals
Our History
Passion, Knowledge, Experience!
MEET THE TiP TEAM
JERNEJ
ŽUPANČIČ REGENT
Founder & Head Coach
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ANDREJ
POTRATA
Sports Therapy
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Andrej Potrata
Andrej has a degree in Kinesiology and is about to finish his degree in physiotherapy. For more than ten years he has been working as a sports therapist with top athletes including: K1 Olympic medalist Peter Kauzer, C2 world champions Taljat-Božič, K1 Worlds medalist Špela Ponomarenko Janič, world champion Nejc Žnidarčič, and Olympic champion Marlene Ottey. As a passionate athlete, Andrej understands the needs of other athletes making him the perfect choice for sports therapies for TiP athletes.
ANDREA
PACE
Coach, Physicist & Technique Expert
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ANDREA PACE
TiP PROJECTS: Meta-technique, performance & physiology of kayaking
Andrea Pace is a former professional sprint paddler and physics graduate with a thesis on hydrodynamics. Since 1986, he has produced and supplied computerised and video measurements at the Institute of Sports Medicine and Science, and since 1987 he has worked as a software and hardware assistant at the CNR – INSEAN. Andrea has published two books on sprint kayaking technique and is at the forefront of research on paddling technique.
MELANIE
SCHEMBRI WAITE
Coach, Skill Acquisition Specialist
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MELANIE SCHEMBRI WAITE
Former Maltese National Team sprint kayak athlete, Melanie has 25+ years experience coaching physical movement in High Performance environments. A specialist in motor skill acquisition, she is passionate about helping athletes move more efficiently and train smarter on and off the water. In addition to coaching athletes of all levels at KKZ, she is the Technical Development Coach for the Slovenian National Sprint Kayak Team, and a regular conference presenter in many areas around sport and high performance.
STEFANO
VANDO
Posture & Coordination Specialist
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STEFANO VANDO, PhD
TiP PROJECT: Implementing the CoreMeter into assessment & training
Former high performance professional athlete in Karate. He has a PhD in Kinesiology, on the topic of ‘Advanced technology in medicine rehabilitation’. Stefano is a biomechanics consultant for the Italian Police professional sports unit, and a specialist for posture, balance and motor learning. He is the developer of the CORE-METER software, designed to measure biomechanical aspects of a paddler, such as forces on the seat and footplate, posture, balance and symmetry.
BARBARA
ZOBAVNIK
Finance, Marketing & Development
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Barbara Zobavnik
Barbara brings to our team her lifetime love for sport, the mountains and the adventures they represent on the one hand, and a master’s degree in communications combined with extensive experience from the banking and finance world on the other. Being at home in both worlds she is a tremendous asset for us. If she is not climbing mountains, trail running or paddling, you will find her crunching numbers or brainstorming in our office.
LUCA
MALUSÀ
Osteopath
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LUCA MALUSÀ
TiP PROJECT: To improve neuromuscular, postural & metabolic performance
Luca is a former professional athlete and Italian sprint kayak team member with numerous World Cup medals. He has a BA in kinesiology, a Master in Osteopathy and more than 15 years of clinical osteopathy experience with high level athletes. Today he runs his private practice in Padua (Italy). He helps us evaluate the physiological, neuromuscular, technical, postural and nutritional needs of athletes to optimise their training.
MARTIN
JANŽEKOVIČ
Olympic Weightlifting Coach
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Martin Janžekovič
Martin is an Olympic weightlifting coach with more than 8 years of experience in different countries. He has trained in the UK, France, Russia and China. He has been actively coaching in Slovenia since 2018 with his Institute for Olympic Weightlifting. Martin can help paddlers learn the two most dynamic lifts in sport (clean and the clean and jerk), and also develop the general strength necessary for all competitive sports.
MIHA
PIRIH
Rowing Coach
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MIHA PIRIH
TiP PROJECTS: Clinics & Consulting for rowers
Miha is a three time Olympian and a World Championship medalist. Combining the experiences of an elite rowing career, 10 years of successful coaching and a degree in Kinesiology he does a wonderful job with our rowing clients. Miha is a great teacher and inspiration for rowers of all abilities.
JERNEJ
ŽUPANČIČ REGENT
Founder & Head Coach
+
ANDREJ
POTRATA
Sports Therapy
+
Andrej Potrata
Andrej has a degree in Kinesiology and is about to finish his degree in physiotherapy. For more than ten years he has been working as a sports therapist with top athletes including: K1 Olympic medalist Peter Kauzer, C2 world champions Taljat-Božič, K1 Worlds medalist Špela Ponomarenko Janič, world champion Nejc Žnidarčič, and Olympic champion Marlene Ottey. As a passionate athlete, Andrej understands the needs of other athletes making him the perfect choice for sports therapies for TiP athletes.
ANDREA
PACE
Coach, Physicist & Technique Expert
+
ANDREA PACE
TiP PROJECTS: Meta-technique, performance & physiology of kayaking
Andrea Pace is a former professional sprint paddler and physics graduate with a thesis on hydrodynamics. Since 1986, he has produced and supplied computerised and video measurements at the Institute of Sports Medicine and Science, and since 1987 he has worked as a software and hardware assistant at the CNR – INSEAN. Andrea has published two books on sprint kayaking technique and is at the forefront of research on paddling technique.
STEFANO
VANDO
Posture & Coordination Specialist
+
STEFANO VANDO, PhD
TiP PROJECT: Implementing the CoreMeter into assessment & training
Former high performance professional athlete in Karate. He has a PhD in Kinesiology, on the topic of ‘Advanced technology in medicine rehabilitation’. Stefano is a biomechanics consultant for the Italian Police professional sports unit, and a specialist for posture, balance and motor learning. He is the developer of the CORE-METER software, designed to measure biomechanical aspects of a paddler, such as forces on the seat and footplate, posture, balance and symmetry.
MARTIN
JANŽEKOVIČ
Olympic Weightlifting Coach
+
Martin Janžekovič
Martin is an Olympic weightlifting coach with more than 8 years of experience in different countries. He has trained in the UK, France, Russia and China. He has been actively coaching in Slovenia since 2018 with his Institute for Olympic Weightlifting. Martin can help paddlers learn the two most dynamic lifts in sport (clean and the clean and jerk), and also develop the general strength necessary for all competitive sports.
BARBARA
ZOBAVNIK
Finance, Marketing & Development
+
Barbara Zobavnik
Barbara brings to our team her lifetime love for sport, the mountains and the adventures they represent on the one hand, and a master’s degree in communications combined with extensive experience from the banking and finance world on the other. Being at home in both worlds she is a tremendous asset for us. If she is not climbing mountains, trail running or paddling, you will find her crunching numbers or brainstorming in our office.
LUCA
MALUSÀ
Osteopath
+
LUCA MALUSÀ
TiP PROJECT: To improve neuromuscular, postural & metabolic performance
Luca is a former professional athlete and Italian sprint kayak team member with numerous World Cup medals. He has a BA in kinesiology, a Master in Osteopathy and more than 15 years of clinical osteopathy experience with high level athletes. Today he runs his private practice in Padua (Italy). He helps us evaluate the physiological, neuromuscular, technical, postural and nutritional needs of athletes to optimise their training.
IÑAKI
GÓMEZ ALONSO
Coach, Physicist, App developer
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IÑAKI GÓMEZ ALONSO
TiP PROJECT: Measurement & Analysis Software
Inaki has been a Canoe Slalom coach for more than 10 years. After working for the Spanish Federation, he is currently part of the Slovenian Canoe Federation. He is also developing Run Monitor, a software for video analysis in canoe disciplines. Run Monitor collects data about acceleration, rotational speed, rolling, and stroke rate, and allows for statistical analysis and season planning.
MIHA
PIRIH
Rowing Coach
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MIHA PIRIH
TiP PROJECTS: Clinics & Consulting for rowers
Miha is a three time Olympian and a World Championship medalist. Combining the experiences of an elite rowing career, 10 years of successful coaching and a degree in Kinesiology he does a wonderful job with our rowing clients. Miha is a great teacher and inspiration for rowers of all abilities.