I’ve always been passionate about learning ways to help others improve their performance. My dad was the founder of my club, and even though I earned the highest coaching qualification in Spain, my real apprenticeship came from observing him and coaching within my club.
I feel incredibly lucky to have learnt from some of the most outstanding coaches in my sport. When I left the Spanish national team’s permanent training camp in 2007 —because I didn’t find it stimulating enough— I looked at who the best paddlers in the world were and who coached them.
That year, Tim Brabants was the K1 1000m world champion. The choice was easy: I wanted to train with him. We first did a few sessions together in Seville, and then I joined him for training camps in the UK, where I met his coach, Eric Farrell. One thing I’ll never forget is how Tim thanked Eric after every single session. Until then, I hadn’t had great role models in my team. Meeting Tim showed me a kind and genuine way to express gratitude to someone who dedicates their time to helping you achieve your dreams.
That year, I had some of my best international races ever. It made me proud to see Tim win Olympic gold in the K1 1000m and bronze in the K1 500m.
My favourite event was the 500m, so the next step was also clear: I wanted to learn from Ken Wallace, who won Olympic gold in that distance, and his coach, Jimmy Owens.
Down Under, I had one of the best experiences of my life. The competitive yet fun lifestyle suited me perfectly, and I felt at home amongst them. Besides, I learnt a lot about Jimmy’s approach to training.
I was also fortunate to have incredible, thoughtful coaches in Spain. I won’t mention names because I don’t want to leave anyone out, but after experiencing different coaching methods worldwide, I can confidently say they are among the best I’ve ever worked with.
One thing Eric, Jimmy and the top Spanish coaches had in common? Their sessions had a clear purpose. Each session had its place in the bigger picture —not just within a season but often within an entire Olympic cycle, carefully mapped out.
Training with Intent
In any sport, whether you’re an elite athlete or an enthusiastic amateur, every training session should have a clear purpose —a specific objective. Training without a goal is just exercise. While that’s great for general health, it won’t optimise your performance. But training with intent? That’s where real progress happens.
When you get in your boat, step onto the track, or the field, you should know exactly what you’re working on that day. Are you improving endurance? Sharpening technical skills? Developing speed? Without clarity, it’s easy to go through the motions without making meaningful improvements.
A well-structured training plan focuses on measurable outcomes—whether objective or subjective. Instead of simply training hard, you should be refining a specific element of your sport. You should know why you’re putting in the work.
Training with Intent = Better Performance
The best athletes don’t just put in hours; they put in effective hours. Training with purpose turns effort into progress, helping you push limits and refine the small details that make the difference in competition.
So next time you train, ask yourself:
- What’s the goal today?
- How does what I did yesterday impact what I’m doing today?
- How does what I do today affect what I’ll do tomorrow?
If you don’t have a clear answer, take a moment to define it—because every session should bring you one step closer to your peak performance.
EKAITZ SAIES 
Leave a comment