WAVERLEY: Athletes with Cheema have just completed their yearly Spring Training Camp, which sees many head south of the border for warmer training weather.
The Spring Training Camp helps prepare the athletes for the upcoming paddling season, but most importantly, it gets them in racing shape for National Team Trials, which take place in May and June.
“For the younger athletes, they go into Spring Training with the understanding that their exam exemptions will be lost,” said a release from Cheema.
In Florida the training program is very intense.
“They have multiple practices each day, with the exception of Sunday, which is a rest/explore/catch up with homework day,” the release said. “They run, put in many kilometres on the water, play soccer, and do some weight training.”
The totals for the first week back on the water, as listed in their training schedule, were: 110-160km of paddling (varies depending on canoe/kayak and male/female), and 22 kms of running.
High level athletes such as Michelle Russell; Marshall Hughes; and Craig Spence would be training with their national teams, however did spend time during their off weeks motivating and inspiring Cheema’s rising talent.
