Meet International Paddling Coach, 6 x world waka ama/outrigger champion Vesna Aroha Radonic.

 

Vesna shares knowledge that helped shaped her to become the world's best through coaching, online memberships, mentoring and workshops. Her strength-based approach to coaching has lead to many successes, as she empowers paddlers to be faster and smarter on and off the water.

 

"I grew up with behavioural learning difficulties, hearing impairment, challenges of drug and

alcohol addictions, mental health, smoking, overweight, confidence issues through younger life.  

In my mid 20's while living in Australia I was introduced to outriggers / waka ama. I explained to the

coach that I couldn’t hear on the water as my hearing aids were not water proof.

She said 'No problem we will make you the caller, every 12 strokes you call a HUP to change sides.'

With that, I had a new passion for a sport, as no longer was my hearing disability a barrier to

participation. Through this sport I was able to overcome my challenges of growing up. I was able to

channel my energy into waka ama  to help heal, develop coping strategies, which lead me to becoming

a world champion 2012 World Sprint Championships in the W1 500m ELITE premier open womens.

 

Today, Vesna is an international paddling coach, working with paddlers on their strengths, developing strategies and empowering them to be faster and smarter on and off the water.

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