This week’s discussion point from me is about digital paddling resources. The cold and the darkness are creeping ever closer and may mean that our paddling days are fewer and shorter; the shorts and the t-shirts get put away and out come the hats, the scarves and the gloves; the heating gets cranked and the log fires roar topped off by steaming cups of cocoa… But, we don’t need to push paddling to the back of our minds with our ebbing memories of long, hot summer days. This time of year is ideal to stop and think, to reassess, to identify new goals or challenges, explore potential new avenues or dream the next big (or little!) adventures. Now can be the time to boost your knowledge, to read some paddling related literature, watch some videos, listen to some podcasts or do some e-learning. A quick search online will lead to a huge range of paddling resources across multiple platforms, but British Canoeing has already sourced and recommended the best of the best! So, get the kettle on, don those fluffy slippers, grab that blanket, get comfy and get yourself on over to British Canoeing’s digital library!
This digital library boasts no less than 10 digital resource types, so, whatever your style or preference, there’s likely to be something for you including:
Academic Research – From mental wellbeing to motivation, skills, performance & injuries
Audio Books – The Psychology of Performance: How to be your Best in Life
Blogs – From dealing with fear and anxiety to avoiding injuries, from paddle techniques to strength & conditioning
Books – From navigation to canoe & kayak games and paddle discipline handbooks (links to recommended publications)
E-learning – From an introduction to paddlesport all the way through to nutrition & hydration to safeguarding & first aid and mentoring and coaching development
Magazine articles – Articles & infographics from positive parenting to nutrition and empowerment to leadership
Podcasts – Athlete psychology to decision making to exploring and developing coaching
Presentations – From goal setting to parenting at paddle events to exercises & injury prevention
Videos – From beginner skills to advanced techniques, mental & physical wellbeing to expedition preparation and canoe design to rescue techniques
Websites – From paddle training to anti-doping, meditation to outdoor ethics and marine wildlife disturbance to understanding the weather
Which platforms and what resources do you use or plan to use during the coming months? Already figured out your next steps or new goals and adventures? Are you planning to push and develop yourself during this time? Any lifestyle and knowledge gap changes already in the making with assistance from such literature? Any you would highly recommend or would advise against for beginners through to experienced paddlers?
British Canoeing Digital Library: https://www.britishcanoeingawarding.org.uk/digital-library/