Julian Norton-Smith

Paddle 2 Fitness

Health EN ↓ 70 episodes

For over 20 years, Paddle 2 Fitness as helped paddlers become more efficient in their technique and helped educated them on polarising training methods. In these podcasts, we aim to improve paddlers technique by breaking each part down so you can easily understand and put into practice. We also discuss MAF and 80/20 training principles. We will have you paddling faster, paddling more efficiently and have more fun on the water.

Author

Julian Norton-Smith

Category

Health

Podcast website

paddle2fitness.com.au

Latest episode

Mar 4, 2026

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Episodes

#69.Connection vs Power 04.03.2026

In this month’s podcast, we break down one of the most misunderstood concepts in paddling performance — connection vs power . Most paddlers chase power. Few understand connection. We explain why what happens before the paddle enters the water determines how much speed you actually produce. True efficiency starts with body alignment, sequencing, and muscle activation — not brute force. We also shar...

#68.Longer Exits 02.02.2026

Paddle 2 Fitness Podcast is BACK for 2026! We’re excited to relaunch with Episode #68 – diving deep into longer exits and mastering top arm technique. Whether you’re training for competition or paddling for fun, this episode is packed with tips to take your skills to the next level. Competition Time! Want to be part of the show?

#67.Stop Spearing Your Paddle 27.08.2025

Think spearing your paddle isn’t a big deal? Think again. This common mistake leads to poor connection and incorrect body positioning. In this week’s podcast, we’ll break down why you should avoid spearing your paddle and how to make every catch count. Tune in and paddle smarter.

#66.Holding Opposite Rotation 06.08.2025

Want more power at your catch? Holding your opposite rotation might just be the key. By keeping pressure in that opposite leg drive, you can hold off early rotation and early leg drive. This way, you’ll capitalize on 100% rotation and strength from catch to exit. Check out Paddle 2 Fitness Podcast #66 for more insights on maximising your stroke.

#65.Opening Up 30.07.2025

We all know that paddling’s not just about strength—it’s about heart and mindset too. Join Coach as he opens up on his journey, from getting ‘MAF’d’ to mastering mental health. Discover fresh paddling techniques and leave ready to conquer new challenges!

#64.The Power of Paddling Leverage. What You Need to Know! 21.07.2025

In this week’s podcast we explain the concept of paddling leverage and its importance in water sports. Join us as we discover the power of paddling leverage and learn how to use your body effectively in the water for enhanced paddling performance.

#63.Why I Didn’t Die! 14.07.2025

Our podcast is back! Dive into our coach’s incredible journey from 108kg to 84kg. It’s all about rediscovering the love for paddling and facing life’s toughest challenges. Join us on this journey, and let’s inspire each other to LIVE life to the fullest!

#62.Two by Two 02.10.2023

This month we pair two parts of your stroke together so to help remind you of whats happening at the catch, stroke and exit. We hope that these three pairs will help you create a better activation and remember to focus on boat run through the transition phase / between strokes. Happy Paddling, Coach

#61.Percentages – Downwind Paddling 22.09.2023

This month we are going to revisit Podcast#9 and explain this concept as a percentage. Our goal is to always keep paddling in a downwind and even when your coasting, you should remain in contact with the water and have some power on the catch. But how much power and when? Happy Paddling, Coach

#60.Paddling into the Wind – Quick, Quick, Slow 06.08.2023

We are excited to be launching our newest coaching pathway to help you all improve your paddling. We have relaunched our YouTube channel and called it “Paddle 2 Fitness Coaching Channel”. On this channel we will have video content for you to watch and listen to as we paddle off the beach, downwind skills and return to the beach. Plus a number of podcasts will be revisited (visually) an...

#59.Percentages – In training and for warm ups 12.07.2023

I have seen so much information around training levels, but what training level are you training at and then, what percentages are you training at when going long and slows or fast and short? In addition, what technique are you thinking about at these percentages? In this podcast, we talk training percentages and why you should be working your training levels out. Plus we then discuss technique ar...

#58.Improving your balance without a single crunch 02.06.2023

We were out with a paddler the other week and they asked how can they improve their balance in messy water. To us their balance was good, they just needed a new drill for that extra 1-2%. The drill worked and the paddler found more speed. Happy Paddling, Coach

#57.Keeping your legs together 06.05.2023

We had an email from a paddler asking why their shoulders and lower back hurt following a local event. After some questions, we worked out that the paddlers knees were the issue and came up with a clever drill in order to fix this issues which also improved their hip rotation. Happy Paddling, Coach

#56.Adapting to the Conditions and your Craft 02.04.2023

What do you do then you have the wrong craft for the conditions you are in? Then those around you are catching and you can’t seem to get your craft in the correct position to catch anything. Put simply, you need to adapt and adjust your craft to those conditions and quickly. In this podcast we discuss a situation I found myself in when racing in Tasmania, Australia and what I had to do to ke...

#55. Pull it Straight 02.03.2023

This month we are talking about paddle direction and what you need to know, look for and feel to make sure you are pulling the paddle through the water at the correct angle and not going too wide at the exit. When I was taught to paddle, we were coached to imagine a ‘J’ stroke as the paddle went through the water and ‘to pull it straight’ once our technique was correct. Let...

#54. Why does the front of my shoulder’s hurt? 01.02.2023

This is a common question from paddlers and the reason is two main things. First is the angle or grip you have on the paddle and the second is leaving the pull shoulder forward putting stain on the peck muscles. In this podcast we discuss these two problems and give you exercise and new drills to work out which one you are doing. Happy paddling, Coach

#53.The Stall 02.01.2023

It’s happened to all of us in a downwind training sessions or race. That moment when the nose of your craft goes up and your cockpit fills up. So what do you do in this situation to empty the water and get back up to speed? In this podcast we discuss how ‘the stall’ happens and what you can do to recover from it. Happy Paddling and Happy New Year, Coach

#52.Leg Drive 02.12.2022

We have talked a lot over the years about leg drive and its importance. In this podcast we talk about the squeeze of your leg drive and how this simple technique drill will help you have better timing and power throughout your stroke making sure we squeeze and hold not squeeze and pop? We would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. See you all in 2023. Happy Paddling Coach

#51.Anchor Point 02.11.2022

How many anchor points can you think of when paddling? What’s the most important one and which one will have you paddling with more control, power and speed? In this podcast we look at something new which we know will help you become a more efficient paddler. Happy paddling, Coach

#50.Losing Your Catch 22.10.2022

Over our 30 years of coaching, we see that a lot of paddlers lose their catch. This is where a paddler cannot control the direction of their catch and the blade slides away from the craft instead of creating a ‘J’ shape. This can come from blade size, paddle length and or poor technique. Let’s run through some of the drills you can using to help fix this technical issue. Happy pa...

#49.Comparing MAX TT to MAF TT 02.08.2022

As we look to improve our training program and give you the paddler a better understanding on where you need to improve, we have added at MAF TT to our Peak Performance Training Program. Through the data we have now collected and by comparing your MAF TT (sub-maximal effort) to your Normal TT (maximal effort) we can now work out what you need to do by either adding or reducing intensity in order t...

#48.Resistance Training 2.0 13.07.2022

Put simply, your all addicted to resistance training! This is great to see and seeing we have been asked so many questions about it, we have had to add a second podcast on this topic. In this podcast we will answer questions like: what to do with the extra power gained from the resistance, more efficient technique, faster time trials and a discount code from a local supplier. So strap on that resi...

#47.Resistance Training 14.06.2022

Resistance training’s aim is to load the body through specific training. Like going to the gym, paddle resistance will load the correct muscles in sequence to help you improve your feel of the water and find any technique inefficiency’s. If this is your first time, start with a small amount of resistance and build up. Happy paddling.

#46.Better Acceleration 02.05.2022

In this month’s podcast we discuss a way to increase acceleration without sacrificing technique or efficiency. A small change to your catch as well as keeping a full stroke through your exit phase will result in better acceleration which in turn, will help you catch more runners.

#45.Feeling the Push 02.04.2022

Working out the correct push arm height and knowing when your pushing correcting is a hard technique to learn. Reason being, you can’t see it until it’s all over. In this podcast we teach you what a strong push should feel like. Once you engage this feeling you’ll know if or when your push arm is in the correct position as well as load more power from the chest, shoulder and hand...

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