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My own performance paddling has tended to take place on slalom courses, but growing up in Tasmania provided plenty of opportunities to paddle on the sea. In fact one of the best days I\u2019ve ever spent in a kayak was trip around Cape Pillar on Tasmania\u2019s exposed and beautiful south-east tip. \u00a0100 metre high cliffs, a touch of sea-sickness, a tricky landing on Tasman Island, and a total distance of 50+ km made it quite an adventure.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve learned that self-confidence is the single most important psychological factor in successful sports performance. \u00a0Self-confidence is based on how you think about a situation and assess your chances of success. \u00a0It\u2019s the realistic knowledge and belief that you are capable of achieving what you set out to do. Self-confidence is more than bravado or na\u00efve optimism \u2013 although it\u2019s easily confused with both. Truly self-confident paddlers don\u2019t need to talk themselves up or talk their competitors down. \u00a0Truly self-confident paddlers know how to weigh up the risks, and understand that some crossings are better left to another day. They also understand that no matter how confident they are in their own ability, that the force of the ocean remains outside their control, so results or safety are never guaranteed. Being self-confident doesn\u2019t mean you never feel anxious or scared, but it does mean you can deal with these feelings productively rather than them hampering your performance. While some paddlers seem to possess natural self-confidence, the reality is that everyone\u2019s self-confidence fluctuates \u2013 whether you\u2019re a veteran sea kayaker or a raw beginner. \u00a0So it\u2019s important to understand where self-confidence comes from and how you can develop it.<\/p>\n
Through my research and over twenty-five years practical experience with top class competitors and coaches in a wide range of sports, I\u2019ve identified the four core psychological capabilities that any paddler needs in order to be self-confident. Self-confidence comes when you have the right attitude and goals, know that you have planned and prepared well, you know how to focus under pressure and you trust the people around you. \u00a0I call each of these factors the Psychological Fundamentals and each has an important role to play by itself and as one of the foundations of self-confidence.<\/p>\n Here is a brief explanation of these terms and their significance for sea kayaking:<\/p>\n This is your attitude, determination and commitment to achieve mastery over yourself, your competitors and your environment. Mastery Motivation underpins your fierce will to win and provides the drive to challenge yourself to find the limits of your ability.<\/p>\n This is the ability to plan ahead, think clearly and to learn from experience. \u00a0Making good decisions means more than whether you break a record \u2013 at sea they can be a matter of life or death.<\/p>\n This the ability to remain totally focused so you can perform under pressure. \u00a0Being able to execute your skills automatically will help you when you\u2019re tired, facing an un-expected change in conditions or when you need to dig deep on a long stretch.<\/p>\n This allows you to build effective relationships and get the support your need from coaches or paddling buddies. \u00a0Having a good relationship with your coach, for example, helps sustain your competitive career, and getting on well with your mates on a multi-day self support sea kayaking expedition is pretty useful too.<\/p>\n The Fundamentals work together to support your ability to paddle confidently, and developing competence in one area will have a positive knock-on in other areas. The quality of your Decision Making influences your ability to Execute well, especially when these two components are powered by Mastery Motivation. When good Teamwork is in place too, all four Fundamentals come together to create self-confidence.<\/p>\n In my book In the Flow<\/em> I look at each Fundamental in turn, and help you understand what it is and how it helps performance, the warning signs that suggest you need to work on it, and some practical things you and your coach (if you have one) can do to improve.<\/p>\n Jonathan Males – Jun 2016<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the Flow<\/em> is available from Amazon, or directly from http:\/\/performance.sportscene.tv<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.performanceseakayak.co.uk\/Archive_JW\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/SelfConfidence.jpg\")
<\/a>Mastery Motivation<\/h5>\n
Decision Making<\/h5>\n
Execution<\/h5>\n
Teamwork<\/h5>\n