News & Review

Petronella Cannon BSc (Hons) Head Coach

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Well done to all those swimmers that took part in the DEVA competition. There is a lot to learn during a competition. You can test how fast you can swim in an event, evaluating how your technique fairs out under pressure, develop skills for future events and finally how to pace yourself during a swim. Split times tell you a lot about your fitness and your race pace. How fast should you swim your first 50m of a 100m race? How does my stroke count change in competition? As you know your stroke count is a hint as to how efficient you are swimming. If it increases you are not as efficient as someone with a lower stroke count. Remember the active phase of your stroke (the pull/push of your hands through the water) is of great importance when you are considering your stroke count. Hope this rings a bell as it has been discussed during training. A piece of equipment that I would consider useful is the hand paddle. This will help you to understand your hand movement through the water.

Which leads me to my next point - Lane Discipline. Don't stop swimming to let another swimmer pass, just keep close to the lane rope and let the faster swimmer pass on the inside. The faster swimmer should let the swimmer in front know that they would like to pass by tapping them on the foot/ankle. This is particularly useful when swimming a distance or swimming a set number of distances e.g. 6x100 on a certain time per 100 e.g. 1.30. To gain fitness advantage you need to swim the distance straight through. If a swimmer stops and forces another swimmer/s to stop then this makes the distance void. You will need to start all over again to gain the training benefits from the set distance.

Equipment : Having the proper equipment at training is vital, especially the essentials like a pair of goggles and a swim hat. In fact a wise swimmer always has a spare pair of both in their training bag, particularly if going to a gala. Pack your bag the night before so you are not rushing. Remember towel, swimwear, goggles, hat and anti-chlorine shampoo/conditioner. Shower before you swim to reduce the drying affect that chlorine has on your hair. Just a reminder to all the younger swimmers, check your goggles are the right size. Also make sure that you don't get a piece of hat stuck in the corner of the goggles. You don't want to interrupt your training!

Code of conduct. This is a document that all swimmers must read. It is a guideline for the swimmer on how to behave during training and galas, how to act responsibly with swim equipment, time keeping, lane discipline and consistency of training, commitment to train to the best of their ability, etc.

Swimmers are expected to be on poolside at least 5 minutes before the session starts to discuss the programme with the coach.

The coach plans to set up meetings with swimmers 15 minutes before session starts at least every 8 to 10 weeks. This gives everyone a chance to plan targets with the coach, discuss galas, and any other business. Any parents wishing to speak to the coach can organise a meeting before or after the session at a convenient time to discuss as a group or in private.

The lane sessions are planned to give the swimmer a chance to practice skills and technique as well as simply to get fit. This is why it is important for swimmers to be alert and focused on their objectives. Training is a challenge where you must remain determined to practice good technique even when you are tired. It requires you to think more about what you are doing, so you don't end up looking like a walrus, or doing hippo dives! Sessions only last an hour to 90 minutes. And if you only attend one session a week then you should be prepared to give the coach your full attention. If you would like to see your Personal Best (PB) performance improve, then you should consider attending three sessions a week. You get out what you put in!

Lastly, I would like to thank those parents who are already involved in the Swimming Club, also I would like to encourage those parents who have expressed an interest to help out in the future. Without your continued help the Swimming Club would cease to exit. It is with your continued support that this Club will flourish. There are plenty of things parents can do to help. As mentioned before split times need to be taken at galas/or during training sessions, stroke counting would also be of great help. Please be active in coming forward as I still don't know a lot of you. If you can do these jobs it can only make our swimming club better. Parents have an important role to fulfil. If you feel you would like more information on anything discussed in this article, please don't hesitate to contact myself, a member of the committee, or speak to some of the poolside team.


Last Updated on 28/01/05
By Ann Robinson

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