Women Continue Training in Spain

The 25 female rowers from Sweden, Norway, Ireland, Greece, Cyprus, Moldova, Hong Kong and South Africa go into their second week of intensive training today as the 2nd FISA Women’s Training Camp continues in Seville, Spain.

The athletes have been training twice a day under the direction of Penny Chuter the former Head Coach of Great Britain, Frank Rogall of Germany, a former lightweight world champion and Christian Felkel, Head Coach of South Africa. 

The training is intense, in addition to the two on-the-water sessions per day training, the athletes are also having in-class lectures and discussions once a day.

“We, as coaches, are finding that the delivery of the lectures and then the follow up in the practical aspects whether on water or dry land training is giving the group different ideas to think about.” Says Felkel of the technique.

The daily lectures held so far have covered topics relating to nutrition, training, physiology, sports psychology and rigging.  Specific issues related to female athletes are also discussed to compare similarities and differences throughout the world.

This week will begin with a two-day series on “periodisation” of training which will help the athletes to plan their year around specific athletic goals.

The camp aims to better prepare female athletes with training and knowledge so that they can better achieve their goals in sport and life.  Many of the athletes from the camp are using this as preparation for various regattas such as the Asian Junior Championships, the World Under 23 Regatta and FISA Junior and Senior Championships.

“I am happy to be around these athletes who are so keen to learn and are interested in finding out about different aspects of rowing.” Said Felkel

The camp will culminate this weekend with athletes competing against some of the world’s best rowers in the FISA Team Cup 1,000 metre race on Saturday and the Andalusian Cup 500 metre regatta on Sunday.