INCC has a variety of training groups catering for all members from beginners through to advanced paddlers

Social

Each Saturday and Sunday morning our social paddling group meets at the club at 9:00am.  We usually paddle to Studley Park Boathouse (10 km) or Dights Falls (13 km), stopping off at Studley Park for a coffee and chat, then back to the clubhouse by midday.

We paddle TK1s, TK2s, K1s, K2s and very occasionally a K4.  The group welcomes people of all ages and paddling experience. It’s a great opportunity to meet and paddle with other members of the club in a relaxed, friendly way.

Development

The purpose of this group, which meets from 9:00 to 11:00 am on Saturdays, is to provide further training for people who have just completed the introductory course and would like to build to longer paddles, such as to Studley Park (10 km return) or marathons.  The group is also open to anyone wishing to do some work on technique.  The contact is Greg Kerr, Level 1 coach.

Intermediate

A number of members paddle on Saturday mornings at 7:30 am or 8:30 am, depending on the time of year, typically to Dights Falls and back (~13 km) in TK1s, TK2s, K1s and K2s.  Abilities vary, with most taking about 70 to 80 mins (~5:30-6:00 min/km) and people typically join those paddling at a similar speed.  The group usually finishes with tea and toast in the clubhouse after the session.  Attendance is casual with no formal membership or expected regular attendance.   Paddlers are welcome to turn up whenever they can.

Interval training

All Fairfield Canoe Club (FCC), INCC and members from other clubs are welcome to attend these sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Plan to be on the water at 5.30 pm, however, start times can vary from 5:30 pm to 5:45 pm in summer and 4:45 to 5:00 pm in winter.  These sessions finish in the dark in winter.

Tuesday night sessions are usually intervals (4-8 min on, 60-90 sec rest) to Dights Falls and back (13 km). Thursday nights consist of short intervals (100m to 500m) at Zoli’s Straight (a.k.a. Freeway Straight), however the session format can vary, depending on attendance and river conditions.

These sessions run all year round, the numbers participating varying from 20 in summer to 2 on some dark winter nights!  The skill level required is flexible but at least intermediate is ideal, if in doubt come along and find out.  It is usual for some paddlers to drop to the back of the pack on the Tuesday night Dights run and re-group when they can.  The main group would paddle at around a 4:30 to 5:00 min/km pace during efforts in K1s or K2s.

Attendance is casual with no formal membership or expected regular attendance. Paddlers are welcome to turn up whenever they can.There is a long tradition of these sessions going back at least 10 years. This is another excellent example of our two clubs working together. On the water please make yourself known to Rob Russell (INCC), Simon St Hill (INCC), Chris Runting (FCC) or whoever is leading the session.

For further information check the Facebook group INCC/FCC training group which is used to communicate and arrange additional sessions.

Distance (Herring Island)

This group of FCC and INCC paddlers meets at Wesley Boat Shed on the Yarra River near Herring Island / Como Park on most Sunday mornings at 8:30 am.

The format consists of five or six 4 km loops between the Wesley Boat Shed and the Punt Road bridge, with participants doing as many loops as they wish.  It is usual for some paddlers to drop to the back of the pack and turn when the main group turns to re-group on the next leg.  The main group would paddle at around a 5:00-5:15 min/km pace in K1s or K2s.  A second group of K1s and TK1s sometimes paddle at a slower pace.

Paddlers using club boats need the prior permission of the boat captain. Attendance is casual with no formal membership or expected regular attendance. Paddlers are welcome to turn up whenever they can.  For further information check the Facebook group INCC/FCC training group.

Multisport

INCC members are welcome to participate free of charge in the sessions from INCC organised by Liam Delaney from Vigor (affiliated with Melbourne Adventure) on Tuesday and Friday mornings at 6:30-7:30am (7-8am during winter), and Wednesday 6:30-7:30pm during daylight saving. Weekend paddles advised via weekly email update.

Sessions include some interval training and some distance work. As participants vary  from beginner to advanced levels, the intensity of the sessions can vary too. Technique advice is also given.

Some of the paddlers compete in events, some do tours and some just do it for fun and fitness.