Author: Ekaitz Saies
-
Beyond Talent: How Grit and Resilience Define Sporting Success
This week, I had the privilege of attending the ICF 2025 Paddle Summit in Hangzhou, China, as part of the Sprint Committee. It was an inspiring experience, filled with meaningful conversations with people who are deeply committed to our sport. Many of the discussions were both necessary and constructive—highlighting the…
-
Why Collaboration Beats Consensus in High-Performance Teams
Last Saturday, I gave a talk about training periodisation at my club in Oxford. Afterwards, I went out for dinner with my business partner, who attended my talk and whom I originally met at the same club a couple of years ago. We get on incredibly well, and one of…
-
Early vs. Late Specialization: A Topic Inspired by a Visit to Norwich
Last Thursday, I had the chance to visit Norwich, a city I knew little about before setting foot there. My knowledge was limited to a handful of scattered facts: that it boasts a magnificent cathedral, that naval hero Lord Nelson was from there, that Stephen Fry was on the board…
-
Tea & Talk: An Open Discussion on Training Periodization
First of all, a huge thank you to everyone who voted on my Instagram stories yesterday about attending my talk on periodization. It was fantastic to see so many responses, and it’s clear that there’s a real interest in learning more about training programmes. I was blown away to see…
-
Lessons from a small (but successful) Canoe Club: The Gold Mine Effect and the Dutch Olympic System
This morning, I visited Elmbridge Canoe Club, where Ivan Lawler, Roland Lawler, and Scott Hynds greeted me warmly. My friend Tim Brabants came from this club, as did many other international paddlers I have met over the years. But when I looked at the wall displaying their results, I was…
-
Training with Purpose: Why Every Session Needs a Clear Goal
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…
-
Shackleton’s Leadership Blueprint: Building Resilient Teams
My son and I often listen to a podcast channel called Noiser, known for its immersive and cinematic storytelling. Their engaging narration, combined with expert interviews, brings history to life in a vivid and compelling way. One of our favorite episodes explores the incredible story of Ernest Shackleton. Last week,…
-
Team Chemistry
In high-performance sports, we rely heavily on data to evaluate performance. We measure speed, efficiency, and countless other metrics. But one of the most critical factors for success cannot be quantified: team chemistry. You can’t measure it, but you can sense it. Some athletes just click. In a crew boat, their movements…
-
The Power of Stress and Recovery.
Stress is often cast as the villain in our lives—something to be minimized, avoided, or conquered. Yet, in reality, stress is a critical ingredient for growth and adaptation. Whether we’re athletes pushing our bodies, parents navigating endless responsibilities, or leaders steering the ship in turbulent times, stress drives improvement. But…
-
When You Expose Yourself to Losing, You Are Setting Yourself Up to Win
Now that I live in Oxford, I often find myself walking to the Iffley Road running track. This historic site, where Roger Bannister broke the four-minute mile in 1954, serves as a powerful reminder of the bold goals that drive human achievement. Bannister’s feat wasn’t just about physical endurance—it was…
EKAITZ SAIES 