Team Epic Round Table

Team Epic is represented by a dynamic group of industry-leading paddlers worthy of representing a championship racing team. As a whole, the team boasts Olympic Gold Medal winners and certified paddling instructors with literally thousands of hours teaching experience. After a terrific season on the racing circuit in 2009, we wanted to get their thoughts on the season. Below is our discussion with: Herman Chalupsky, Michele Eray, Matt Bouman, Katie Pocock, Tim Jacobs, Bevan Manson and Dave Kissane.

What was your paddling highlight over the past year?

Herman: Making top 10s in both World Cup events, and 2nd in Dolphin Coast Challenge as well as the Knysna race.

Dave: Racing in the Caribbean. Great adventure, hospitality and racing.

Katie: Winning Molokai! This is a race I have wanted to win since 2005, it took a bit longer than I planned but it was really special to cross the line first.

Tim: Winning the Dubai Shamaal, also competing against so many Olympic gold medalists and world champions in that race.

Michele: Winning the Dubai Shamaal in 08 was pretty great. I was sort of not expected to win, so it was especially sweet.

Bevan: Paddling with Marcelle, my girlfriend, in the Durban World Cup.

Matt: To date, probably my win in Europe. Although there have been some epic back yard battles I've had with Clint, when just the two of us have paddled in great downwind conditions.

What was your hardest race in 2009?

Herman: World Cup in Durban as I was racing with a virus obtained from a rabid paddler from Brooklyn

Dave: They are all hard. Molokai was quite brutal this year because it was hot and flat. I took it easy for the first 2 hours just to make sure I would have enough juice to get me home so it wasn't too bad.

Katie: I found the Perth WC really tough as I spent the bulk of the race behind Kirsty Holmes. I won the hot spot and I was in front for the last 1km, but the rest of the time I was staring at her back, I really had to be patient and confident and just focus on my surfing, it was super stoked to take the win in the end, albeit by 30 seconds!

Tim: Again the Dubai Shamaal, maybe not physically but mentally it was hard. The last 4km were a killer, not knowing where anyone else was or if I was going to be able to hang on so close to the finish. I would have hated to have been passed in that last 4km if someone else was coming home like a train.

Michele: The Mauritius Ocean Classic. No juice (clip broke), overheated, sore back, and then an end sprint with weed on my rudder… Not a great day!

Bevan: Definitely the cold weather of New York! (Mayor’s Cup)

Matt: They're all so hard. One sticks out though, it was SA single ski champs in Plettenberg Bay. The wind was howling and from the wrong direction. I went round and round in circles with three athletic freaks. Grant eventually won his first SA title.

What is your training regime?

Herman: I normally train 3 times a week and include a race on the weekend. I also go to the gym 3 times a week for 25 minutes

Dave: I paddle about 5 times a week. These days I do most of my stuff in the ocean and do as many downwind paddles as possible - mainly because it is more fun. The key session for everyone in Sydney is Saturday. All the best paddlers turn up for this one. It is usually run by Dean and is about 25 km. Everyone goes hard and it is pretty much a race simulation. Through winter I only do about 2 or 3 sessions a week and they are on the lake - which is across the road from where I live. For cross training I run and go Stand-Up Paddle Surfing.

Katie: Leading up to Dubai 2009 I was training about 10 times a week – which included two resistance or weight sessions, two cross training sessions and the rest of my time is split between paddling my Epic in the ocean and paddling my K1 on the lake. I find it good to mix it up and train with different people, and for me the best squad to paddle with will always be on the lake in K1s, having said that I also enjoy paddling on my own as well, for me the key is variety; and that means different types of water, different squads and different sessions. I also take racing opportunities all the time, we have a lot of different local races in Auckland and I never miss a chance to line up in these – it doesn’t matter if it is a club surf ski race, a 5km race at Takapuna or a 20km race out of town, if I am not working I will be there. My mileage varies a bit from week to week, but I probably maintain between 80 – 100km depending on how much racing I do.

Tim: My training program changes throughout the year depending on what races are coming up. My main focus is on the big international World Cup races so I try and peak for those. Generally I would paddle only 4 to 5 times a week, but every session is quality and hard, all leading to those big goals. Time on the water is increased before races, either through extra sessions or longer training paddles. All my training is done in rough water on the ski. Ski training is also balanced with a solid weights program which also evolves throughout the year depending on what races are coming up. No matter what though I make sure that I have at least a month or two off paddling each year to recharge the batteries.

Michele: I try to paddle 6 days a week, and on 2 of those days I do a double paddle session. Mainly quality, interval sessions, with a few recovery paddles, and a long, endurance session. Gym - lots of core and shoulder stabiliser work (injury prevention), and stretching. Running 3-4 times per week.

Bevan: I train every day, paddling most days. I try to fit in as much running, swimming and gym as I can, probably doing about 2 sessions each per week. I try to do downwinds as often as possible...

Matt: I'm probably one of the more organised athletes around as far as training structure goes. I have set programs which allow me to peak twice a year at my chosen events. I send out my weekly training programs to a little squad we have going in Durban and as a result, I've usually got a lot of good people joining me every time I train.

Do you follow any special diet for training or races?

Herman: Yes, cold pilsner is always a constant and anything that goes with that.

Dave: Nothing special. Just eat healthy most of the time.

Katie: I have seen a couple of different dieticians in the past and over the years I have made some changes to my diet. I’m not as strict as I have been in the past but I always try and have loads of fruit and vegetables, nuts and seeds and fish. I also eat a lot of venison - my partner is a hunter so we usually have some good back steaks and mince in the fridge. My vice is coffee, so I have to keep my fluid intake up to counter this, caffeine is definitely my drug of choice and I do use it when I race, that and Leppin Squeezies – they are what bring me home on race day.

Tim: No secret diet, if I'm hungry I eat; my diet in general is quite good with no greasy junk food but I do have a major weakness for chocolate.

Michele: I try to eat healthily, lots of fresh fruit and veggies-I love salad. I don’t really eat red meat. I am not too fond of dairy, except for chocolate of course… Proper coffee to get going in the mornings, lots of water during the day. But I am not that strict.

Bevan: Whatever, whenever.

Matt: I eat well. Just follow a few basic fundamentals and you cant go wrong.

What are your plans for 2010?

Herman: Do more world cup races

Dave: Couple of overseas racing trips. Will consider something in Europe if I am convinced it will be downwind and there is more than one race. Molokai is always at the top of the list.

Katie: It seems like every time I turn my head a new race is on the schedule at some exciting location, so I would really like to line up at a few of those new races – the Mauritius and San Francisco races are top on the list for 2010.

Tim: My plans for 2010 are pretty much the same as this year, compete in the major international World Cup races and win more of them.

Michele: I am still pretty keen on travelling the world to paddle my ski, and experience new places. I am also very keen on Marathon World Champs, which is in Barcelona in 2010. And of course I will race the local river races in South Africa.

Bevan: Not actually sure of my 2010 plans?

Matt: I haven't given it much thought. Right now, there isn't anything past the Dubai Shamaal. A few minutes after it's finished, I'll be able to start planning 2010. I had two goals for this year, the first was to win a race. The second was to podium in Dubai. It's been a good year so far and could end up a great one if Dubai goes well.

What are your views on the V12?

Herman: A great ski that is fast on the flat and very maneuverable on small to medium runs.

Dave: I have only just recently got one. I've already found it is faster in calm conditions. So for all our races have been downwind lately, so I have stayed on the V10 as I am already comfortable on it. I will swap between V10 and 12 over the summer.

Katie: I haven’t paddled it, but by golly it looks fast!

Tim: I was impressed, although I have found that the V10 is a craft better suited to my style of paddling. I've got some ideas for the V10!

Michele: I love the looks of the boat, and after paddling it in Mauritius, it was fast. I fit better in the V10L, so I'm sticking with that. I think the V12 is better suited for a heavier person (and longer legs than me.)

Bevan: Paddled it and it feels very nice. I haven't really had enough time to give a real review yet, check back soon!

Matt: It has sexy lines and looks awesome. I'm very happy in my V10 but I'd definitely try the V12 if a "tall boy" version comes out!