Shear Pace

Are you getting ready for NZ Shears yet? Sometimes the sheep aren't right, or we're just not able to get to work, a big wet, last on the list to be called, and practice is just not happening. I've got a way to help you get started. Visualisation is a way to make a huge impact on your performance without breaking in to a sweat. Numerous studies have found that mental practice is a beneficial way to improve your skills without moving your body. It increases your experience and

7 ways to make a great speech if you manage to win this weekend! We’ve all heard the mumbling from the podium, and the thanks to the ladies in the lunchroom (they are important, don’t forget them) – but to make your speech one people will enjoy listening to as much as they enjoyed watching you, here are a few tips. 1. Enjoy the moment. You have worked so very hard to get here, and you deserve to be here – savour it – at least 5 other people don’t get the chance to do this. 2.

I remember watching a play over 15 years ago about a young shearer who was doing really well in a board race, when he fell apart. He was listening to music on headphones, and he threw them off. Someone, probably the woolhandler, said to him, something along the lines of “you were doing so well, what happened?” and he said “John Rowles came on”! I have been thinking about this, so I’ve looked up the research, and most of it that I found says that music does not alter performan

Firstly, you need to know this… 1. 20% of energy during exercise is used for muscular activity – the shearing or woolhandling part 2. 80% is used when we sweat (the dripping off the nose part) 3. Dehydration is affected by a. Fluid intake b. Heat c. Fluid loss d. Exercise e. Our own bodies So, when you are dehydrated, from working in a hot shed, or sweating a lot, or not having enough fluid on board to start with your body does not function as it shou

1. Cold water baths. There seems to be some improvement in muscle chemistry after a 10 minute cold bath for 10 minutes. There also are effects on the central nervous system by decreasing the workload on your heart and decreasing the effects of overheating. How to make this work for you… have a hot shower first (stretch when you are in there), get clean then jump in a cold bath (10 degrees) for 10 minutes. 2. Drink enough fluid throughout the day to keep your wee pale colour

Still on the topic of hydration, and urine, did you know that there is such thing as overhydration? So, here anyway, it’s still super hot, and sheds, they are not going to be changing in a hurry. So, you are out there working in hot, hot, heat for long hours every day, and you are sweating! You are losing water from your body - it needs to be replaced... What should you do about it? Until about 30 years ago, athletes were told not to drink while exercising, leading to some un

Now the Golden Shears is over, the winners are all tucked up in bed with their ribbons, and it's just another week in the sheds. I'm guessing you want to hit the podium again, or if you missed, you are desperate to hit the limelight - I want to see you there, that's for sure. I've seen people winning at their sports day in and day out, and shearing is no different. What I see in the shearing industry, is you men and women on the podium are most often the ones with the best pa