Keystone Paddlers

Happy New Year Keystone Athletes 🎉

As we roll into a new year, I am grateful for the opportunity to work with this group. The commitment you all bring to the water, to the erg, and to the small technical details doesn’t go unnoticed.

Whether we're preparing for sprint racing, ultra-distance events, ocean racing, or an active lifestyle, the work you all are doing now supports everything that comes later! We may be training for very different distances and disciplines, but we’re united by the same principles.

Thanks for trusting me with your training. I’m excited to keep building together in 2026. As always, reach out anytime with questions, videos, or feedback. Here’s to a strong, healthy, and fast year ahead.

- Coach Jesse Lishchuk

Keystone Black Friday → Cyber Monday Offer
Winter is the time when real progress happens — not in perfect weather, but during the quiet weeks when you stay consistent.
Three sessions a week are enough to improve technique, build endurance, and set up a successful spring.

Many athletes this season told us the same thing:
“Training through winter — even on the erg — changed everything for me.”
It’s when technique gets fine-tuned, video feedback is effective, and confidence quietly grows.

So for Black Friday / Cyber Monday:
🏷️ 50% OFF — THREE MONTHS OF COACHING
Use code: FRIDAY50
$360 → $180
https://www.keystonekayaks.com/coaching

Includes video feedback, outdoor and indoor sessions, technique improvement, and a customized plan for your setup. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to level up — this is it.

What a weekend! The Chattajack is never easy — 32 miles of racing, chop, and grit — but this year, the Keystone crew showed up and showed out. Months of training, early mornings, and long paddles paid off.

🏆 Amy Lynn Keener (FL) — 1st place in Women’s Surfski with an impressive 4:29 finish, averaging 7.1 mph, and 8th OVERALL surfski. After months of focused preparation, Amy nailed her goal of finishing under 4:30 and a podium spot.

🚣‍♀️ Shannon Greenhill & Paula Burks (GA) — 1st in Tandem Kayak with a 4:40 finish! Their teamwork, composure, and skill in tough conditions were in full display — and they dominated both in sprint AND ultra-distance this year.

🥇 Amanda Walker (FL) — 1st in her Kayak class at exactly 5:00. She combined strength and smarts throughout the race, and it’s been inspiring to see her confidence and technique improve this season. Poised, confident, and faster than ever with ANOTHER win at the Chattajack.

🌊 “Chilly” Billy Howell (MS) — 5:17 and 19th overall in Kayak, shaved 27 minutes off from last year. Billy’s season has been marked by consistent effort and quiet grit — a great way to close out a year of steady growth in paddlesport!

🥉 Jason Larkin (FL) — 3rd overall in Surfski, with a blazing 4:10 finish. Jason continues to prove he’s among the most consistent racers on the water.

💪 Houston Park (FL) — 11th overall in Surfski with a time of 4:42, another strong performance among one of the toughest fields yet.

Each of these athletes began their journey months ago... balancing training with life, family, and work — and everything came together on race day. Whether it was learning to paddle fast and efficiently, dialing in nutrition, or finding that extra mental gear, every one of them pushed beyond comfort. I couldn’t be prouder of this crew. This team isn’t just about results... it’s about resilience.

Congrats to everyone who toed the line!

What a week in Seattle at the 2025 U.S. Sprint Canoe/Kayak Nationals. Keystone Paddlers showed up with eight athletes ready to race, and every day was packed with great competition, big learning moments, and a lot of teamwork.

From K1 sprints to K2 and K4 team boats, the crew put everything on the line and came away stronger, sharper, and more connected. Nationals is always about more than just results—it’s about representing each other, taking on the challenge, and celebrating the sport together.

A huge thank you to everyone who supported the athletes on and off the water, and to the other clubs who made the week such a great atmosphere. Proud of this team and excited for what’s next.

Day 1 and 2 – Nationals Recap

Keystone came out swinging! 🥇🥈🥉

🏅 1st – Holm Schmidt in Masters C 1000m, Masters B K1 500m, AND Men’s Masters C K4 500m (Melnik, Schmidt, Kireev, Denissevitch)
🥈 2nd – Vytas Rudys (Masters D K1 500m)
🥉 3rd – Jesse Lishchuk (Senior K1 1000m, K2 500m w/ Monastryski) and for Ivan Kireev & Dmitry Melnik (Masters C K2 500m)

Tomorrow: K2 Mixed, Senior K1 500, 5Ks, and more medals before Sunday’s 200m sprints!

https://www.crewtimer.com/regatta/r14903

📣 Follow us at U.S. Sprint Nationals

While there’s no live-stream video this year, you can still follow along with results in real time from Tuesday through Friday.

Here’s how:
1️⃣ Visit the official results page https://www.crewtimer.com/regatta/r14903
2️⃣ Use the filter option to select Club: Keystone Paddlers (KEY) for the abbreviated list view and easiest way to track our events

Cheer us on from wherever you are — we’ll be bringing the speed all week long! 💪

CrewTimer Regatta Timing

🚨 NATIONALS BOUND! 🚨

10 of our Keystone athletes are headed to U.S. Sprint Nationals in Seattle to take on the best in the country! 🌊

They’ll be competing across Junior (17–18 y/o), Senior, and Masters (34+) divisions in a full-on sprint battle featuring K1s, K2s, and K4s over the 200m, 500m, 1000m, and even a 5k challenge!

This is the culmination of months of grit, grind, and water time — early mornings, threshold sessions, technique drills, and sheer discipline. Let’s give a huge send-off to the crew flying west to represent. Whether it’s their first Nationals or their fifth, each one of them is racing to level up.

📍 Seattle, WA Aug. 12-15th
🏁 Follow along here. More details to follow. Interested in joining for next year? Message us!

Let’s GO KEYSTONE!!

Coach Jesse’s Paddling Insights and 7 Common Mistakes 🔧

• More vertical paddling! Focus on paddle shaft staying close to the boat at the catch.
• Hook pinky finger around the paddle as well! Enhances blade feel and control.
• Apply pressure with ring & middle finger! Helps engage the catch more cleanly.
• Keep knees together! Promotes connection and balance.
• More pressure on footplate! Drive power from the lower body.
• Chest over sit bones! Maintains posture and stroke control.
• Let the paddle follow the wake line! Guides stroke direction naturally

Drills to Reinforce Technique 🧪
• 3, 5, & 7-stroke pause drill – Builds patience and front-end awareness
• Paddle only on one side – Sharpens symmetry and boat control

Which of these cues are you focusing on right now?

Paddle Mania 2025 – K1 Showdown!

We lined up for a 500m and the crew delivered. Big thanks to Lanier Canoe Kayak Club for hosting an awesome regatta — great venue, great people, and even better vibes!

🎥 Watch the full action on Youtube https://youtu.be/SLYe9bLwTzU [playback in 4K quality]

Results:
🥇 Jesse Lishchuk – 1:45.49
🥈 Andrii Monastyrskyi – 1:48.65
🥉 Walker Peck – 2:06.37
🏁 John Fortuna – 2:23.37

2025 Paddle Mania Seniors K1 500m 1 Jesse Lishchuk 1:45.492 Andrii Monastyrskyi 1:48.653 Walker Peck 2:06.374 John Fortuna 2:23.37