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OC1 Downwind Skill Intensives

3 & 5 DAY DOWNWIND TRAINING

Downwind paddling isn’t magic. It’s a skill set – and it’s learnable.
Through focused coaching and repeat runs, you’ll learn how to read the water, catch waves with intention, and build confidence in every session.

Registration open for: May 23-25, 2026

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Does this sound like you?

You’re falling off waves or getting stuck in the trough.

You’re not sure when to paddle, when to pause, or how to connect to the next wave.

Paddlers you can stay with upwind are pulling away once you turn downwind.

You want more confidence, more control, and a better understanding of what’s happening under your canoe.

If that sounds like you—this is exactly where you belong.

This intensive is designed to help you fix those exact issues—through focused skill development, real-time feedback, and structured downwind coaching.

Build real downwind skill and confidence, step by step.

What you’ll learn:

  • Read and respond to the water more effectively
  • Link waves with better timing and less stalling
  • Surf left and right confidently
  • Identify and correct technique habits that hold you back
  • Develop a centered, stable posture for rough water
  • Use your brace stroke to stay balanced and connected
  • Train with a focused approach to keep improving beyond the intensive

This isn’t just theory—it’s change you can feel

After completing the downwind intensive you’ll be able to:

  • Feel more confident, capable, and fast in real downwind conditions
  • Catch waves with intention—not luck
  • Sit centered instead of leaning left, even in challenging conditions
  • Stay on waves longer and link them more efficiently
  • Paddle confidently on your right side when catching bumps
  • Accelerate more easily with better posture and technique
  • Use your brace stroke to surf and stabilize with control
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“The most valuable part was the surfing and guidance through the Hawaiʻi Kai run, especially on the OC2. The more I surfed, the more I saw, and the better I understood what to look for.” – JACKIE

“I’m not falling off the back of waves as much anymore. I’m also paddling WAY more on the right and feeling more solid by not leaning left. I am reading the water better and getting great glides the whole way!”– HEIDI

Is This Intensive Right for You?…

This intensive isn’t for everyone—and that’s by design.

It’s for women who have felt the pull of downwind paddling and want to go deeper. You’ve caught the bug. You’re committed to learning—not just paddling. You love being in dynamic water conditions—wind, waves, current—and you want the skills to use the energy in the water, not just ride it by luck.

You’re in the right place if:

  • You consider OC1 your primary sport
  • You’re passionate about downwinding and seek out chances to do it
  • You’ve done runs like Hawaii Kai, the Gorge, or similar
  • You’re preparing for or already racing in ocean or downwind events
  • You enjoy the challenge of reading the water, catching waves, and surfing—not just staying upright

This is for women who are pursuing downwind paddling as a sport, not just a one-off activity.

Are You Ready? (Skills, Experience, and Fitness)

This intensive is designed for paddlers who are strong and fit and have enough downwind experience to benefit from focused coaching. You don’t need to be an advanced downwinder—but you do need to have the ability to paddle an OC1 hard and fast, recover well, and handle variable conditions.

Downwind Experience

  • You’ve completed at least 10 downwind runs, or spent significant time paddling in windy, open water conditions with bump and swell
  • You’re familiar with navigating messy, dynamic, or unpredictable water—not just flatwater or sheltered bays
  • You’ve felt what it’s like to catch and surf a wave (even if inconsistently), and you want to get better at it

Safety & Self-Reliance

  • You’re not afraid to huli 
  • You’re confident recovering from a huli in wind and waves
  • You’re comfortable in open water, wind, and variable conditions—even if you’re still building confidence

Fitness & Training Capacity

  • You can paddle two sessions per day for 3 or more days
  • You’re able to handle total daily mileage of up to 18 miles, broken into two runs (e.g., 2 x 9 miles), weather permitting
  • You recover well enough to train on back-to-back days
  • Strength training is part of your regular routine
  • You can accelerate your OC1 over 6 mph when catching waves

I always assess the conditions, the group’s fatigue and readiness—and adapt accordingly. Come prepared to train with physical capacity, technical focus, and the mindset to be coached.

If this sounds like you, you’re ready.

If not quite yet, keep reading—I’ll show you how to build the foundation you need.

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“My biggest takeaway is that you need to spend time focusing on the little things to get the big things. You provided me with the little things to work on (tempo drills, land exercises, and how to see the on-ramps while surfing).” – JULAINE

“The step-wise progression of the clinic, from the canal to on-land talks, to surf, to the full run, enabled me to build up confidence and skills. It was still hard, no doubt, but I really trusted Anna’s assessment of both the weather and my abilities.” – JANET

3-Day Intensive*

For women who want focused coaching, intentional practice, and clear improvement.
$ 750 (plus tax, canoe not included)
  • 6 structured sessions over 3 days
  • Up to 4 coached downwind runs, weather permitting
  • 2 lunch & learn sessions on training, physiology, and performance for women
  • Identify the most common downwind technique mistakes
  • Practice 5 core downwind skills with real-time coaching and correction
  • Build greater awareness, wave judgment, and control on the water
  • Often scheduled over long weekends—ideal for minimizing time off work or for local paddlers in Hawai‘i
  • Canoe rental: $180 for 3 days, includes canoe transport

5-Day Intensive*

For women who want more time, more runs, and more depth in their development.
$ 1250 (plus tax, canoe not included)
  • 10 structured sessions over 5 days
  • Up to 7 coached downwind runs, weather permitting (including double-run days of up to 18 miles)
  • 4 lunch & learn sessions with extended topics: fueling, strength, hormones, mobility, and recovery
  • More coaching time = more precision, more repetition, and stronger retention
  • Individualized technical feedback and development over multiple days
  • More opportunities to refine skills, ask questions, and apply what you're learning
  • Canoe rental: $280 for 5 days, includes canoe transport

*IMPORTANT DETAILS:

You will need to book your own accommodation on Oahu. Recommended areas are Kailua, Hawaii Kai, Waikiki.

You’ll need to arrange your own transportation.

You’ll need to pack a lunch every day.

You need to bring your own paddle.

Canoe rental: $180 for 3 days and $280 for five days and includes canoe transport and choice of canoe.

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What is the difference between a 3-day and a 5-day intensive?

The biggest difference is time. The 5-day intensive allows for more repetition, deeper feedback, and a more complete picture of your paddling—across different conditions, energy states, and phases of learning.

Over five days, I get to observe how you move, how you adapt, and what patterns show up. We have time to adjust, revisit, and layer new skills onto your foundation. You’ll leave with clarity on your technique, insight into what skills you need to develop, and a clear direction for continued progress.

As your downwind skill grows, so does your ability to absorb the finer points, and that opens the door to new breakthroughs.That’s why many women return for a second or third round. Each time, I meet you where you are and coach you toward the next level of performance.

“Thank you again for an amazing experience! Totally exceeded my expectations. The clinic I did with you in Hawaii has helped me so much. I feel so much more confident. I hear your voice telling me to hunt for that next wave!” – BONNIE

How to Get Ready (If You’re Not There Yet)

If you’re excited about this intensive but not quite ready yet, that’s okay. Many paddlers take a season (or more) to build the strength, confidence, and experience they need—and I’ve created tools to help you get there.

Start here:

  • Practice your huli recovery until it’s automatic—even in rough water
  • Refine your brace stroke and learn how to use it while surfing
  • Train your technique consistently—Precision Paddling is my foundational course built for this
  • Prepare to catch waves by training speed and acceleration
  • Strength train regularly to support posture, balance, and power

I’ve also put together a set of free resources to support your prep:

  • Articles on how to train for downwind
  • Practice plans for flatwater surfing skills
  • Video breakdowns to help guide your solo sessions

Whether you’re aiming for this season or setting your sights on next year, this is a path you can train for—and I’m here to support your progress.

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