The 2018 edition of the International Congress of Canoeing Coaches in Spain, whose partner is among others also European Canoe Association, is getting closer. It will be held between 26th and 28th October 2018 in Catoira and there is still time to register to be a part of the congress which attracts canoeing experts and coaches from different countries. Before the start of the VII edition of this congress we have talked with Manuel Isorna Folgar, president of the organising committee, who is professor at the university of Vigo and former technical director of As Torres Canoeing Club.
Q: We are only days away of the seventh edition of the International Congress of Canoeing Coaches. How was born the idea of organising this congress?
MIF: This congress arises from the need to learn as a coach, also due to the lack of places to talk about high level canoeing. During the competitions we are all very busy and do not have time to talk about what is important, technical training, tactics. I think it is necessary to recycle with the new discoveries and for that the congresses have been created in all disciplines; and that was missing in our sport.
Q: Has there been many changes in the congress since the first edition?
MIF: This congress had 45 coaches in its first edition, in its entirety from Spain and Portugal, today we are close to 300 from 18 different countries. In the words of the president of the ICF, Jose Perurena, this is the most important conference of coaches in the world. Not only because of the quality of the speakers (here have been coaches with several Olympic medals to their credit) but also for the quantity and quality of research presented. In my opinion we have researchers analyzing our sport or we will lose the "train" of athletics, swimming or football in terms of sports improvement.
Q: How do you choose the speakers and the topics that are presented at the congress?
MIF: Normally the members of the organising committee and collaborators suggest both the themes and the speakers. Our goal is to always invite the best. With some exceptions, everyone usually accepts our invitation.
Q: This year is the first time that slalom is included as well. Have you received some feedback from the slalom community about the inclusion of canoe slalom into the congress?
This congress was born in flatwatersr but since the 2012 edition, coinciding with the Olympic Games in London, there were several coaches and technical directors from different countries who suggested us to take advantage of the event and do something similar for the slalom. I think the format of parallel rooms is the best format. We hope to have many slalom coaches.
Q: What are the plans for the future?
MIF: Our goal is to maintain ourselves and if it can be - to improve the number of attendees. Getting here has not been easy but staying in time is our main goal.
More information: http://www.congresocatoira.es/index.php/en/
Register here: http://www.congresocatoira.es/index.php/en/registration-form
Event bulletin (PDF)
http://www.congresocatoira.es/images/descargas/2018/triptico_eng.pdf
Workshops bulletin (PDF)
http://www.congresocatoira.es/images/descargas/2018/diptico_eng.pdf
Poster (PDF)
http://www.congresocatoira.es/images/descargas/2018/cartel_2018_eng.pdf
15.10.2018
