Dear Parents,
This letter is to ask for your support in achieving our goals as a competitive swimming club, and we would be grateful if you show and discuss the ‘Competitive Swimming Training’ and ‘Rules of the Pool’ pages with your child.
We need to emphasise the importance of a well-structured and safe training session that all swimmers can enjoy and benefit from.
Many of the club swimmers are very fast, but too few can hold their speed for a 50m or 100m race. The coach can give stroke and turn advice, but it is the attitude of the swimmer that will improve fitness and stamina. We need all swimmers to show commitment and self-discipline in both training and galas.
Most swimmers enjoy training to become better; The few that don’t want to train properly spoil it for everyone else.
In an hour’s session, the warm-up usually consists of 10 minutes and the swim-down approximately 5 minutes. The coach explaining sets may take another 5-10 minutes. Of the remaining time, an average set may include around 20% rest time. That leaves around only 30 minutes of training. Each push-off/turn should consist of an efficient 5-15m underwater transition, leaving maybe only half a length of actual swimming. So, in a 1-hour session there may be only 15 minutes of actual swimming! Many of those sets will include drills that specify a slow or medium pace.
That is why, when the coach gives a specific set with specific rest times or asks for speed and effort… it is expected.
Stopping during a length, hanging around the ends during a set and generally mucking about is not only a waste of training time, but is also very disruptive to other swimmers.
Please can you remind your child to be changed and ready (with all their equipment) before training is due to start. Late arrival on poolside is not only detrimental to that swimmer, but disruptive to the other swimmers.
If you are unclear on any of the points raised or have other questions regarding training, please feel free to ask the coach.
Competitive Swimming Training
- We all want you to enjoy becoming faster and fitter
- Your coach can help your stroke and turns
- Only you can help your fitness / stamina
- Below show’s how few minutes we have of actual swimming
Minutes in an Hours Training
- Listen carefully to the coach, with no chatting or mucking about
- Some of your sets will be fun, or on a slow / moderate pace, so swim fast with effort when asked to
- Work hard on your stroke and turns all the time
- Do not spoil it for those that really want to train and become faster