International Paddling Coach

International Paddling Coach Meet Vesna Radonich from NZ, world champion, technique coach who shares knowledge to empower paddlers

https://linktr.ee/internationalpaddlingcoach

If you’ve been wanting more structure, more guidance and more support in your paddling, The Paddle Hub is where you’ll f...
22/09/2026

If you’ve been wanting more structure, more guidance and more support in your paddling, The Paddle Hub is where you’ll find it. This is your all‑in‑one space for learning, training and progressing as a paddler. Everything you need is in one place, ready when you are.

Inside The Paddle Hub you’ll get monthly tips, technique breakdowns, fitness sessions, video content and more — all designed to help you move better, paddle smarter and perform at your best. Whether you’re refining your technique, building your engine, learning new skills or staying motivated through the season, you’ll always have something to learn, something to practise and something to grow from.

I’ve just uploaded five new videos focused on race preparation and performance. These cover blending, adapting under pressure, skills for intervals, team connection and how to train with purpose when you’re building towards competition. These videos are designed to help you understand what to focus on, how to adjust your training and how to bring more intention into every session. If you’re racing long distance, sprints or simply wanting to improve your paddling IQ, these new uploads will give you clear direction and practical tools you can use straight away.

The Paddle Hub is built for every paddler — beginners, returning paddlers, competitive athletes and those chasing world‑stage goals. If you want structure, clarity and consistent support, this is where you’ll find it. You can train at your own pace, learn at your own speed and revisit content whenever you need it. Everything is organised so you can easily find the guidance that fits your goals.

We offer both monthly and yearly subscriptions, and The Paddle Hub is also included in specific monthly memberships if you want even more support and coaching.

If you’re ready to take your paddling to the next level, sign up today at PADDLE HUB link on my wesbite and get instant access to all the content, including the new racing videos now available inside the Hub.
https://www.internationalpaddlingcoach.com/paddling-portal

If you want to train with more purpose, understand your technique better and build confidence on and off the water, The Paddle Hub is the best place to start

21/09/2026

Thank you to Sonic Waka NZ for sponsoring me for over eight years now. I’m really grateful for your support and for everything you’ve done for my paddling journey. Anyone who checks out their website or social media will see how innovative they are and how much work they put into creating world‑class canoes.

They’ve just released their newest V1, and it’s something special. Premium pre‑preg carbon construction, precision craftsmanship, and an exceptional finish. Designed for performance and built to last. It’s the lightest V1 on the planet, weighing in at under 11kg, and the first one‑piece construction V1 in the world. If you want to stand out on the water this season, this is the canoe to look at. Get in touch with Sonic Waka NZ or send them a DM to find the perfect waka for you.

If you’re heading to NZ Long Distance Nationals in Orewa, Auckland from 1–4 October, come check out their canoes on the water. Three days of racing across age groups from 12 years to 75+, with OC1, V1 and OC2 races from 10–16km, and OC6 races from 10–26km. If you want to try one, contact Sonic Waka NZ today or send me a message to find out when I’m next in your town so you can have a paddle and feel the difference for yourself.

This week we share our fortnightly free strength‑based training called PYRAMID POWER CONDITIONING Ski, swings, bike & sp...
20/09/2026

This week we share our fortnightly free strength‑based training called PYRAMID POWER CONDITIONING Ski, swings, bike & sprint overload. A session built to challenge your engine, your power output, and your ability to stay composed as the rounds shorten and the intensity climbs. It’s a simple structure with a not‑so‑simple demand: keep evolving as the fatigue builds.

WORKOUT
4 ROUNDS
30sec ski : 30sec rest
30sec KB swing : 30sec rest
30sec assault bike : 30sec rest
30sec sprint run : 30sec rest
2min rest then

3 ROUNDS of above 2min rest then

2 ROUNDS of above 2min rest then

1 ROUND of above 2min rest

300 sit ups (any)

Benefits of this style of training:
* Engine development across changing intensities
* Power output under fatigue
* Mental resilience and pacing control
*Transferable strength for paddling posture, drive and repeatability
* Conditioning that supports both sprint and endurance racing

Training has changed massively over the past 25 years. I’ve had to evolve, adapt and keep shifting the way I train to stay at world level. I was talking to another world‑class paddler recently who was struggling to climb back up. The truth is simple: train the same, remain the same.

Evolve or dissolve.

If you want to be the best in your sport, or move from novice to competitive, learn from coaches with proven results and lived experience. I’ve spent over 25 years competing and coaching at world level, and the methods I teach are tested, refined and used by athletes who want real progress,

How much do you want to improve, and what are you prepared to do to get there? Step up, level up, and grab strength training built by experienced coaches who know what it takes.

Want to learn more PM me today and lets book a FREE 1on1 catch up

16/09/2026

Today we helped cut up 12 deer for Kaiwhakangau — a kaupapa that goes far beyond hunting or clothing. Kaiwhakangau (kaiwhakangau.co.nz) is a whānau‑led social enterprise in Gisborne that turns outdoor apparel into community support. Every hoodie, tee and cap funds Kai Connect, their initiative that supplies organic wild venison to families, kura, church groups and communities who need it most.

It’s a simple but powerful cycle: hunters donate deer, the animals are prepared and processed by local MPI‑certified butchers, and the meat goes straight into food parcels through organisations like SuperGrans, The Salvation Army, local schools and community groups across Tairāwhiti. It’s manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga in action — feeding people with dignity, connection and respect.

For us, today wasn’t just about helping feed the community. It was about catching up with good friends, especially Lisa Daunton, founder of Kaiwhakangau. It was about John and I spending time together, doing something meaningful side by side. And for me personally, it was about the joy of the mahi itself.

I genuinely love cutting up the deer — the hands‑on learning, the grass‑roots skills, the feeling of being close to nature and doing something real. There’s something grounding about it, something that pulls you back to the basics of life. It’s healing in a way that’s hard to explain. You’re working with your hands, learning old‑school skills, contributing to something bigger than yourself, and reconnecting with the whenua and the people around you.

Knowing that what we did today will end up feeding whānau, schools, church groups and communities tomorrow is a special feeling. It’s the kind of satisfaction that comes from purpose, service and giving back. Kaiwhakangau isn’t just a brand — it’s a movement built on heart, generosity and connection. And I’m grateful to be part of it.

kaiconnect

Every fortnight we share a technique‑focused paddle session — because technique is the foundation of efficient, powerful...
16/09/2026

Every fortnight we share a technique‑focused paddle session — because technique is the foundation of efficient, powerful paddling. In high‑performance sports like kayaking, rowing, C1 and K1, athletes spend a huge percentage of their training time on technique. It’s normal for top paddlers to dedicate most of their sessions to refining movement, posture, rhythm and efficiency.

When I first started paddling, technique was a major focus. Over the years, I noticed many paddlers shift toward “time on the water”, muscling through sessions, and just going hard. But to be truly efficient, technique must be your priority. Good technique gives you free speed, protects your body, improves endurance, and helps your canoe move the way it’s designed to move.

This session is built to help you reconnect with the fundamentals.

TECHNIQUE SESSION
15min ZONE 2 strong entry
15min ZONE 2 posture strong
15min ZONE 2 smooth pull
15min ZONE 2 relax grip on exit
*Every 4min ZONE 4 for 1min

10min apply all the focuses above at ZONE 3-4 RACE PACE

Strong entry: focus on clean blade placement, no splash, controlled, efficient
Posture strong: tall chest, long spine, hips forward, creates power and all muscles engage effectively
Smooth pull: connect the blade in water, pull paddles with legs, hips and core. Feel the glide.
Relax grip on exit: soften the grip on the exit, let the canoe run, reduce tension in shoulders and forearms.
Race pace application: bring all four focuses together under pressure, keeping technique consistent as intensity rises.

If you need help improving your technique, the Elements of Technique programme is the best place to start. Learn through 3 x 1‑hour online coaching sessions where we break down your stroke, fix inefficiencies, and rebuild your movement from the foundation up.

Or book a FREE consult with me to see how I can help you with your paddling below:
www.internationalpaddlingcoach.com/service-page/free-30-min-consultation?referral=service_list_widget

15/09/2026

🛶 ❤️ waka family ❤️ 🚣

Great day out in the water with family, llove our little waka ama family. Good to take the Synergy OC2 for a play

V1 Empowering Workshop for Women – Sprint Season EditionStep into sprint season with confidence, clarity, and connection...
14/09/2026

V1 Empowering Workshop for Women – Sprint Season Edition

Step into sprint season with confidence, clarity, and connection.

This 1-day immersive workshop happening on Sunday 18th October 10.30am-4.30pm is designed to help wāhine rise in the V1 arena — stronger, smarter, and more grounded in their power. Whether you’re new to V1 or preparing for regionals and nationals, this experience will sharpen your sprint skills, elevate your race strategy, and strengthen your mental and physical edge — all while deepening your connection to self, team, and kaupapa.

Workshop Focus
• Rig with Purpose: Master the art of rigging your V1 for speed, control, and consistency.
• Stroke in Sync with Women’s Physiology: Harness your body’s natural power for explosive starts and sustained drive.
• Sprint Mindset: Power, Focus & Flow: Transform emotional and mental energy into strength
•Women Can Balance It All: Juggle mahi, whānau, and racing season with intention.

Investment in You: $200 for 6 hours of hands-on sprint coaching, group sessions, and inspiration
Location: Lake Taurikura, Tauranga
Date: Sunday 18th October 10.30am-4.30pm

Limited to 12 wāhine: to keep it personal and powerful

Register Now: Get race-ready for sprints!

Harness Your Body’s Brilliance. Your body holds wisdom, strength, and rhythm.

Sprint season isn’t just about speed — it’s about showing up with purpose, presence, and pride in who you are.

PM to secure your SPOT today or visit WORKSHOPS my website
www.internationalpaddlingcoach.com

14/09/2026

What an afternoon with these J19 girls on the V1! 🔥

These girls have been so lucky to have some of NZ’s top elite paddlers and coaches come and work with them, so I was wondering — what could I add that they haven’t already heard?

Turns out, surfing V1 was skill I could share with them.

Today was all about learning to surf on the V1. Not just how to paddle, but how to make a better decision with every single stroke. How to read the water, how to position the waka, and how to actually catch and surf waves on their V1.

The improvement in just one session was huge. They started hunting waves instead of waiting for them. That’s the difference between paddling hard and paddling smart.

If your club wants to level up — I’d love to come to you. PM me to chat more and make it happen!

Learn from a World Champion & world class paddler/coach, I can cover:
• V1 / W1 technique
• Sprint conditioning
• Race preparation
• Team blend
• How to surf

Next round of workshops & coaching will be the weekend of 17-18 October, over Tauranga way

Flick me a message if you want me to come or if you want me to your club — let’s get you and your team flying.

Address

Gisborne

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+64212534784

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