Capital Nordic Walking Newsletters are designed to keep Canberra’s Nordic Walking community in touch and up to date with Nordic Walking developments in Canberra, Australia and around the world. We welcome your ideas and contributions – send them through to Kristen@capitalnordicwalking.com.au
Our Autumn newsletter is packed with many exciting events taking place in April
- World Parkinson’s Day: Thursday 11th April
- Rollerski Down Under: Sunday 14th April – don’t miss out!
- Breaking News! Arthritis ACT and Capital Nordic Walking awarded SportAUS Participation Grant
- Keeping up to date with all things Nordic Walking! Urban Poling Activator Workshop for Rehabilitation Professionals
- Capital Nordic Walking Group Walks – here there and everywhere!
- Dreaming of what’s to come! World Nordic Walking World Cup Tour 2019
- Those Paws were made for Walking!
- Nordic Walk Getaways: Start planning for Austria and Tasmania
As we prepare for Winter 🥶 remember......
“There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing, and smug Fins and Norwegians"😜
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World Parkinson's Day: Thursday 11th April
April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month with World Parkinson’s Day recognised on 11 April each year. Today in Australia, 37 people will hear the words ‘you have Parkinson’s’ for the very first time. That’s more than one person every hour, of every day. In Australia; Parkinson's affects around 100,000 Australians.
Capital Nordic Walking will be joining our Nordic Walking Parkinson's Warriors at 11.00am on Thursday 11th April on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin at the Canberra Southern Cross Yacht Club, Yarralumla to raise awareness about Parkinson's. There will be a performance by the Offbeat Dancers and a display of artwork from Painting with Parkinsons.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive, degenerative neurological condition that affects a person’s control of their body movements, mood, emotions, energy levels, sleep and sometimes cognitive functions. Parkinson’s is a very individual condition, with each person experiencing different symptoms. Non-motor symptoms such as sleep disturbance, constipation and loss of sense of smell can pre-date the motor symptoms, such as a tremor, slowness of movement or rigidity, by up to a decade.
How much do you really know about Parkinson's? Are you aware of the many invisible symptoms of Parkinson's? Did you know that Parkinson's doesn't only affect older people? Around 20% of people with Parkinson's are of working age and many are diagnosed in their 30's and 40's. You might also be surprised to know that Parkinson’s is more common in Australia than breast, prostate and lung cancer. To learn more about Parkinson's - click here.
Shout out to all Canberrans who have Parkinson’s or support, in any way, someone living with Parkinson’s to please complete this Survey by Parkinson’s ACT. It’s designed to help the committee understand how we can develop to meet your needs. And If you can support the work of PACT please get in touch - we are a fully voluntary committee and receive no Government funding. Thank You! Go to this LINK to complete the survey now.
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Benefits of Nordic Walking for People with Parkinson's
Evidence based studies on Parkinson’s clearly identify Nordic Walking, with the proper training, as a healthy mode of physical activity suited for improving quality of life. Walking poles offer proven beneficial effects on general key health parameters and may include:
- Increased balance & stability
- Improved posture
- Increased core strength
- Increased walking tolerance
- Increased independence in activities
- Increased confidence
- Decreased stress, anxiety and depression
*Nordic walking improves mobility in Parkinson’s disease (van Eijkeren et al 2008)
Impact of physical exercise on reaction time in patients with Parkinson’s disease-data from the Berlin BIG Study. (Ebersbach et al 2014). **PubMed published research relating to Nordic walking and Parkinson’
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Rollerski Down Under Coming to Canberra! Sunday 14th April
Canberra's Nordic Walkers are excited to welcome Hannes Holly from Western Australia. Hannes is the Head coach at Roller Ski Downunder & Nordic walking WA and is in Canberra for the AUS Rollerski Championships . Hannes says that growing up in a ski resort in the Austrian alps - outdoor sports has always been a big part of his life. No matter what the sport, skiing, snow boarding, cross country skiing or hiking - over the years he has been privileged to teach and instruct many clients in Austria and Australia - and is looking forward to introducing Canberra's Nordic Walkers to this exciting extension of Nordic Walking!
Give it a try! Meet at 9.00am Sunday at our favorite Elixir Cafe, Lake's Edge, Queen Elizabeth Terrace. Learn more and register your interest HERE
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Minister for Sport Senator Bridget McKenzie announces $13.8 million in grants for 52 projects.
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🤩 🥳 ***** BREAKING NEWS ***** 🥳 🤩
Arthritis ACT awarded SportAUS Grant to work with Capital Nordic Walking to develop the "Nordic Stride for Life Program – Safer, Stronger, Together"!
To help get more Australians more active, more often, Federal Minister for Sport Senator Bridget McKenzie has announced an opening round of 52 successful applicants as part of the $28.9 million Move It AUS Participation Grant Program. These grants will give sport, physical activity and local government provider’s resources to get Australians moving and to support the aspiration to make Australia the world’s most active and healthy nation.
“As outlined in Sport 2030 we have set a goal to reduce inactivity by 15 per cent by 2030 and these grants have empowered organisations to come up with innovative ways to get Australians moving,” Minister McKenzie said. “It’s great to work with providers to deliver a diverse range of programs to help all Australians be more active and to help the nation live the #FindYour30 mantra.”
“We know the benefits of physical health no matter what the sport or activity and the Move It AUS grants are there to benefit as many Aussies as possible, regardless of age, ability, gender, demographic or socio-economic status,” she said.
Capital Nordic Walking is proud to be building on our partnership with Arthritis ACT to make Nordic Walking available to more Canberran's - especially people who find it difficult to move easily and safely due to chronic health conditions often resulting in extreme pain and fatigue.
PS. 🤗 🤗 🤗 ACT Arthritis and Capital Nordic Walking sincerely thank - from the bottom of our hearts - all of our wonderful supporters and endorsers who assisted with our grant proposal - it was a huge undertaking and we couldn't have done it without you. As we didn't get the full amount that we bid for we will need to rescope the project - but it's a great start!
Lets celebrate the huge achievement that Nordic Walking has been officially recognised by SportAUS as an effective way to assist Australian's to move more, move safely, get a fantastic whole body workout, and have fun while they are doing it!!
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Urban Poling Activator Program for Rehabilitation Professionals
Kristen joined a large and enthusiastic group of Allied Health Professionals in Melbourne for the first Urban Poling and Activator course to be held in Australia. on 23rd March. We were very fortunate to have Mandy Shintani, Occupational Therapist from Canada presenting along side Juliette Fritschi. Mandy is developer of the Activator poles. Dr Juliette Fritschi - Physiotherapist and healthcare educator with a special interest in physical activity for older adults - is the Australian arm of Urban Poling. Juliette has a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Physical Activity and Health - Pole walking and Older Adults, from The University of Queensland. Master Trainer with Urban Poling and director of Pole Walking Australia.
The workshop was action-packed and included a comprehensive review of the research, Case reviews, techniques for rehabilitation, seated and standing exercises for specific conditions and falls prevention, pre-gait exercises to facilitate recovery and functional gait, guidelines for hip/knee surgery, stroke, Parkinson's, MS, Cancer rehab and spinal conditions.
The wealth of experience and knowledge gained from the workshop has led to Capital Nordic Walking refining our courses and offering a new course - ACTIVATOR: Nordic Walking for Balance and Mobility -designed specifically for people with balance and/or mobility challenges, pain, or energy deficits who find it difficult to walk easily or far, including people with joint pain, Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Fatigue and people going through treatment for cancer.
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Mandy Shintani, Director Urban Poling Canada, speaking with Joyce McArthur - Capital Nordic Walker - and first to try out the Urban Pole in Canberra. Joyce says "Due to some health problems I have trouble with my balance. At the first lesson I was using the white knuckle grip because I felt unstable and therefore could not learn the correct technique for Nordic walking.
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The next morning Kristen suggested I try the URBAN POLES. Because of the different shaped hand grip I was able to lightly rest the edge of my palm on the extended edge of the handgrip and immediately felt more balanced and more sure footed. This allowed me to stop looking at my feet and I was able to then concentrate on learning Nordic walking. I have now been learning for four weeks and I an walking with my poles for forty to fifty minutes a time four to five times a week. Without this type of pole I may have decided Nordic walking was not for me . Kristen is a very supportive instructor and she makes our group walk such an enjoyable experience"
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Capital Nordic Walking Innovative "Wellness in the Gardens" Partnership with Australian National Botanic Gardens
CNWers making history again! We are proud to be the first to partner with the Australian National Botanic Gardens for the their new Fitness/Wellness in the Gardens Policy!!
Being able to Nordic Walk on the wide, sealed and safe roads surrounding Australia’s National Botanic Gardens is like a dream come true! The only other users of the roads are other park users on foot and the occasional small electric Park service vehicles! Our Nordic Walkers will get a great workout while enjoying each others company, not having to avoid bikes and other path users whilst also benefiting from exercising in the beautiful Australian bush. Check out the feature article published in our local newspaper about our new partnership with the Botanic Gardens - HERE.
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Australian National Botanic Garden's Ranger Ben Harvey with visiting health and rehabilitation expert Mandy Shintani of Urban Poling in Canada, and Kristen Pratt Founding Director of Capital Nordic Walking at the launch of the "Wellness in the Gardens" Partnership on Tuesday 26th March.
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With over 1,000 Canberran's having learnt to Nordic Walking with Capital Nordic Walking we now have a great range of group walks across Canberra for all fitness levels on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The Group Nordic Walks are available to people who have completed a Nordic Walking Proficiency Course and have their own NWing poles. They are a great opportunity to walk with other NWers and have your technique checked and refined. NWing with others is a lovely thing to do - walking, talking, and meeting others while working out! There are now nearly 300 Canberra Nordic Walkers on our Closed FaceBook Page where we keep everyone up to date with walk schedules and people are able to connect up with others in their area to Nordic Walk with.
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World Nordic Walking Cup Tour
Although our 1,000 or so Canberrans might seem like alot of local Nordic Walkers - it's nothing compared to the popularity of Nordic Walking in Europe. Every year Nordic Walking races are becoming more popular. The idea behind the World Nordic Walking Cup Tour is to unite Nordic Walking fans and provide an opportunity to celebrate Nordic Walking.
What is Nordic Walking World Cup?
A series of Nordic Walking races in different countries and different cities uniting cultures, organisations, companies and individuals encouraging people towards well being, motion with the help of best physical activity in the world. Nordic Walking. This year starting in April and ending in October races will be held in Spain, Ukraine, Russia, Poland, Finland, Italy and Luxembourg.
Who can take part in Nordic Walking World Cup
- Nordic Walking Racing Enthusiasts and Challengers
- Nordic Walking Fans, Travelers, Exercisers
- Nordic Walking Families, Supporting Teams
- Everybody!
Come on Canberra - what are we waiting for!!!
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Stop Press!!
On Saturday 13th April Kristen of Capital Nordic Walking will be competing for the 3rd year running in the Australian Running Festival in Canberra.
This year she will Nordic Walk the 10km event. Her current per km pace in training is around 7 minutes 20 seconds per km!
Let's see if she can maintain this across the 10km course and smash her personal best!
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At last! COMING IN MAY!
Replacement Nordic Walking Rubber Paws when you want them!
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😱 😳 Been doing some serious Nordic Walking and worn those paws out??!!! 😱 😳
Janet Fabbri and the Higher Function Team - a key partner of Capital Nordic Walking - and great supporter and promoter of Nordic Walking in Canberra - have kindly offered to have paws available for Canberra's Nordic Walkers to buy when they need them from their clinic in Civic - in the centre of Canberra - just up from the Merry Go Round......
23 Petrie Plaza, Canberra City
(call us for lift access)
02 6262 9664
02 6247 7410
reception@higherfunction.com.au
At Higher Function Physio & Pilates, the experienced Physiotherapists and Exercise Physiologists have the clinical knowledge and experience to improve your body function and performance. They determine the cause of your physical problem and prescribe specific evidence-based therapeutic exercises and manual therapy to treat them. They treat musculoskeletal, sports and neurological conditions and offer individual and small group therapy. They keep up to date with the latest scientific research in musculoskeletal and sports medicine, and incorporate new advances into our treatments and Clinical Exercise Classes.
Director Janet Fabbri and all of the Higher Function team are passionate about helping you to be your best! While you are in collecting your paws check out the fantastic range of services on offer to help with your injuries or simply help you get in the best shape possible to enjoy Nordic Walking and all that you want to do in life!
- Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
- Exercise Physiology
- Clinical Exercise Classes (formerly called ‘Clinical Pilates’)
- Psychology
- Massage Therapy
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Sneak Preview of exciting new accessories Coming Soon!
StiXskins are returning! with Pole Bags and Gloves to Match!
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Nordic Walking Getaways - Austrian Alps and Tasmania
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Find Your Nordic Walking Holiday or Retreat with Austrian Alps Active
Austrian Alps Active is run by Patrick and Maree, an Austrian-Australian couple. Everything they do is supported by their family and local community in Grosses Walsertal which culminates to create a personal, seamless and authentic experience for all of their guests.
"Since 2010 we have been welcoming and hosting guests to our paradise in the Austrian Alps.We love sharing the beauty, traditions and stories of our region and its people. And whether it’s by foot, bike, meditation or any of the activities we do on tour, our guests gain insight, connections and an authentic experience of a special place. We do everything to ensure that each of our guests has an amazing and carefree holiday, and hope that we have the opportunity to do this for you soon.”
Since that inaugural walking tour in 2010 (which is much the same as today’s ‘Classic’ walking holiday) two more walking holidays have been added (the 'Return to Eden', and 'Return to Paradise' tours), in 2019 two more active holidays will run – a Yoga Retreat and a Wellness Retreat, and in 2020 a Winter Tour is planned.
Check out the fantastic range of holidays and retreats offered by Patrick and Maree HERE
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Are you ready to step it up and train for 4 day Nordic Walk in beautiful Tasmania?
Expressions of interest wanted.......
Urban Poling Australia is looking at organising a walk with a breast cancer awareness fundraising component in early 2020, as part of our Urban Poling charity program.
Key facts:
When - February /March 2020
Length - 4 day/3 nighter with Auswalk.
See more HERE
Cost - Cost is from $1895 per person.
Type of walk - Fully catered, pack-less, lodge accommodation.
Walk grading - Easier and harder walk options available each day. The walk is graded easy to moderate.
If you are interested, please message Juliette Fritschi or contact us at polewalkingaustralia@gmail.com
Dates are dependent on numbers and minimum numbers are required by Auswalk so we will need to get cracking soon!
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