Stroke Analysis for Kayakers
Based on extensive scientific research and experiments, the team at TiP have developed a groundbreaking way of studying as well as quantifying paddling technique to help you paddle faster. We believe the service we offer to teams and individuals both online and in clinics is truly world-class. Let us show you how the innovative methods designed and developed by biomechanic Andrea Pace can help you.
optimize your performance
Paddling with good technique is art and we love it to be that way. But in order to cut the guesswork and uncertainty out of the equation, we have developed methods to quantify your technique. This way we can show you precisely:
- Where your current technique is, and where it could be
- How your technique compares to the best paddlers in the world
- How your technique changes (between seasons, during a season, between training and racing, when tired etc.)
As a result of our analysis we are able to offer you clear and simple instructions about what to work on in order to help optimize your performance, avoid injury, and paddle faster regardless of your shape, size or experience.
THE COMPLETE PICTURE OF YOUR STROKE
WHAT WE ANALYZE
Through the use of video and other technical data (speed, SPM, DPS) we examine your strokes by looking at:
- 11 Basic stroke parameters
- Efficiency
- Posture
- Boat movements and glide
- Paddle management
- Force production
- Force transmission
- The H-graph
- Race profile
- Comparison with champions
- 11 Basic stroke parameters
- Efficiency
- Posture
- Boat movements and glide
- Force production
- Paddle management
- Force transmission
- The H-graph
- Race profile
- Comparison with champions
THE TiP ANALYSIS PROCESS
Our 3 steps
Your Signature Stroke
In Step 1 we measure the 11 Basic Parameters of your stroke.
They are like your signature, representing the way you use the paddle in the water. We usually measure the 11 parameters at various speeds, making it a sort of step test from which we can understand what is happening with your technique when you start pushing harder.
We can also use this test to compare your paddling using different equipment, compare your paddling when fresh and tired, or during different parts of the race.
For each of the parameters, we can tell you what are acceptable values, and what are the values of elite paddlers in your class.
Finally, we can compare your values over time, or at the beginning and end of a camp with us.
How you manage your paddle, boat, & inertia
The Step 2 tests are much less standardized than in Step 1 because now we are narrowing down to specific points of your individual stroke.
The points we focus on are the ones that might be causing energy loss, injury, or are simply not in line with the principles of meta-technique (thus making you slower).
We show you the difference between your execution and the ideal one.
Race performance analysis
In Step 3 we analyze the H-graph of your performance (a race, a training segment, etc).
With the H-graph we plot the connection between boat speed, stroke rate, distance per stroke and stroke energy. This way it is very easy to see the differences between your actual effort, and the ideal effort over the given distance and boat class.
With the aid of our H-graph you learn how best to use your energy during race performance, and learn to make better choices.
This means in Step 3 we draw a connection between your physical abilities, your ‘race tactics’ and your technique.
Ready to gain the technical advantage?
Choose your plan
Signature
Race
Inertia
Ultimate
the details
HOW IT WORKS
Technique analysis can be done either online or in person, so it doesn’t matter where in the world you live, we can help you!
Online analysis
1. Select your package
2. Check the instructions on how to shoot the necessary videos and what you need to upload here
3. Film the required videos of your paddling
4. Register as a TiP athlete on our site
5. Upload your videos and other data (GPS, Vaaka, etc) on the Athlete’s Upload page
We will get back to you quickly with the results and suggestions on how to improve your technique.
In-person analysis
If you’re interested in pushing your paddling to the next level and working on your technique one-on-one with our coaches, we suggest attending a TiP Paddling Clinic in beautiful Slovenia. You can find out more about our clinics here.
Who We’ve worked with
Some of the sprint kayakers we’ve done Technique Analysis for include National Team Members and Individual Athletes from:
- China
- South Africa
- New Zealand
- USA
- Latvia
- Croatia
- Slovenia
- Italy
- Finland
- Netherlands
- Switzerland
- Trinidad & Tobago
- Malta
- Singapore
WHAT OUR ATHLETES SAY
“The guys at TiP have a secret weapon for making your boat go faster: a unique technique analysis method and their very own diagnostic tools that can make you understand and learn a better technique easier than ever before.”
“A year ago the team from TiP showed me this new method of analyzing the technique of the stroke. Thanks to this knowledge I could learn how to evaluate my technique errors, how to work on them and thus how to improve myself.”
“Technique has a very important role in our sport. With the TiP technique analysis, I think I acquired a lot of useful information about my paddling. Things that are good and things I should improve. I truly appreciate that.”
“I had an intense discussion with TiP coaches regarding my 500m race plan! They gave me the most amazing feedback based on my stroke rate and boat speed. I found their data very interesting to identify which part of my race I needed to work on and also which part seemed to be working well! It’s such a valuable method to compare myself to my competition through all the data they derive from my race analysis.”
“During the preparation for the 2019 World Championships, it was great to have you guys beside us to help. It was an honor for us to receive your help and your direct coaching, technique training is so much easier now. During the technique clinic, I have improved a lot in only a few days and have also become much more confident. The whole women’s team is very thankful to you and is hoping to have the chance to work together again next year leading to Tokyo.”
“TiP have a vast knowledge of kayaking, and were able to put across that knowledge to our athletes and coaches in a way that is practical and easy to understand. They stressed the importance of the kayak technique, which has inspired our coaches and athletes to put extreme focus on it during all training sessions. They are a pleasure to work with.”
“TiP analysed my technique, stroke rate and speed on different efforts while paddling and assisted me in my training to avoid located mistakes in the future. TiP understands the needs of an athlete and are both demanding and encouraging.”
“TiP’s analysis was a very good experience for me. The detailed analysis of the video and photo material as well as the introduction into specific land and water based exercises helped me a lot understanding my deficits and optimizing my technique. TiP were very supportive and have the ability to explain technical details in a very clear and understandable way.”
“Kayaking technique is complex. TiP gave me in depth insights about my current paddle style and useful hints on how to improve it. Thanks a lot!”
“TiP have another perspective on how to look at the athletes movements / technique. They analyse athletes individually and very precisely. Their analysis is based on his great experience as well as on scientific knowhow. Their advice reached the athletes and was very helpful for the whole team. We – the whole Team – had a big benefit!”
”TiP is an integral part of the coaching staff for the Chinese Women’s Olympic Sprint Kayak Team. Through individual technique and performance analysis, they support our athletes with very practical advice on how to optimize the paddling technique and the actual performance on the water. They were very helpful in the buildup to the 2019 Sprint World Championships where our team achieved all of the 6 possible women’s quotas for Tokyo 2021. They were also very helpful with advice on specific strength training and upgrading our technique levels in the build-up period for the 2020 season. We all hope we can continue our fruitful cooperation on the way to our highest goal, an Olympic gold medal!”
“The comprehension of the athlete’s race is critical. Understanding the race plan of each crew with objective data and easy graphs to visualize it all, compare performances from race to race and compare ourselves with the best helped me to deliver the right message to the athletes and work on the details of the preparation. This all helped me also to organize different training goals to put in place on the water.”
“Visiting TiP for a paddling clinic and stroke analytics made me understand a lot about what were my weak areas in performance and on what I should build my improvement on for next season. I liked very much the way we have worked during these days and I hope next time we can come for a whole week as this time it was all too short and so full of new information. I have decided I will include all the new info and the drills the guys at TiP suggested into my daily routine and devote a lot of time to it. So I hope next time we do the stroke analytics, my numbers turn out better! ”