Easy Speed Mode - A Clinic on Paddling Efficiently (for SUPs, Va'a, OC1) by April Zilg

This comprehensive clinic is designed to help paddlers of all levels find that elusive "easy speed" by optimizing their efficiency on the water. Join World Champion and Team USA Elite Coach April Zilg as she breaks down the science of speed into five key pillars: technique, breathing, Zone 2 training, mindset, and strength.

The session will begin with a deep dive into the biomechanics of the stroke, identifying proper body position and the specific muscle groups required to maximize power while minimizing fatigue. Paddlers can expect to learn how to engage the larger muscles of the torso and legs, taking the strain off smaller muscle groups to avoid injury and increase endurance.

We will then transition into the "engine" of your paddling: Zone 2 training and breathing. April will explain how building an aerobic base is the secret weapon for long-term speed and how specific breathing rhythms can deliver oxygen more efficiently to working muscles.

Finally, the course will cover the mindset and strength components necessary to level up. We will discuss how to enter the "flow zone" to maintain focus during races and specific strength considerations to keep your stroke powerful. Paddlers will walk away with a toolkit of drills, a better understanding of their own physiology, and the mental cues needed to paddle faster with less effort

We will have a "break out" session at the end for V1 paddlers to discuss the specifics of va'a stroke techniques lasting 30min.