8 Feb 2008 - Club Newsletter

A 25 strong squad of swimmers from Frome Swimming Club boarded a coach to Lydney in

Gloucestershire last Saturday to take part in the first round of the Cotswold League. Competition

was fierce as they took on clubs from Minehead, Cirencester and Lydney, but Frome managed to

keep their noses in front on points in the first half of the gala.

Twenty of the swimmers achieved 1st places either individually or as part of a relay team and it

became clear that the battle for 1st place was going to be fought between Frome and Cirencester.

Right to the last quarter of the event Frome were in contention, but then a run of second places

meant that the final score saw Cirencester in 1st place, narrowly beating Frome. Many of the

swimmers swam in multiple races and 14 managed to improve on their personal best times. The

team spirit was really strong as was shown when Lucy Thomas had to be helped on to the block to

compete in her last relay following an injury to her knee. The tired team still had enough energy to

cheer each other as the 1st and 2nd places and personal best times were read out on the coach

on the way home.

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Since I have started full time in January, I have seen a huge improvement in the lane discipline

and standard of swimming at sessions. However, there are still a few issues that I would

like to address.

The first is punctuality. It is very important that every swimmer is ready to swim at the very

start of the session. This means hats and goggles on, inhalers, drinks bottles and kit on the

poolside and also that everybody has been to the toilet before they get in the pool. Failure to

be ready to swim at the beginning of a session may result in an athlete not being able to

swim. To avoid disappointment please be ready on time.

The second issue is swimming hats. It’s very important that every swimmer with hair longer

than a crew cut wears a swimming hat. Not only does it stop your hair getting in the way, it

increases streamlining, stops you choking on your hair, it limits the chlorine damage to your

hair and protects the filter in the swimming pool, which in turn increases the longevity of

the pool. You should also train how you would plan to race, so please don't complain!

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The swimmer of the month this month has demonstrated consistent levels of hard

work, adapted well to big changes, always listens and has even managed to buy herself

a swimming hat. She has been a true role model for those around her.

Well done:

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Water, water, water! Everyone should drink lots of it, especially athletes. Swimmers are

prone to dehydration as they forget they get sweaty in the water. If you feel thirsty you

are already dehydrated. Lack of water is the biggest cause of daytime tiredness and loss

of concentration, which leads to mistakes and sloppy workouts. To be your best, you need

to be well hydrated. The guideline for a healthy individual is to drink 2 litres of water per

day, with an additional 500mls per extra hour of exercise. A good way to jazz water up is

with squash. For training a good rehydration technique is 1/3 fruit juice topped up with

water and a pinch of salt.

With regards to so-called sports drinks, one should be very careful. These often contain

large amounts of sugar and are not beneficial to performance. Many high profile athletes

get paid to endorse products that they wouldn't necessarily use themselves.

In planning the swimmers seasonal plans, I include a number of 'target meets' which training will direct us

towards. These are competitions which we will attend as a club, and swimmers will have the opportunity

to post times for every event under competition regulations.

The open meets we shall be attending as a club this year are:

12 & 13th April Avalon L3, Millfield

24th & 25th May Avalon L2, Millfield

Sun 22nd June Tigersharks L3, Swindon

18th & 19th October Avalon Autumn L2, Millfield

Sun 23rd November Tigersharks L3, Swindon

The open meet level determines the standard of swimmer attending a swimming competition. This ties in

to the level of the swimmer within the national pathway. Level 3 meets are directed towards those who

are swimming at County standard. Level 2 is for those who are aiming for Regional qualifiying times and

Level 1 for those who are targeting National qualifying times.

Thank you to all those families who are supporting the SASP training camp at Millfield on the 10th

February. I hope that all swimmers have a wonderful time representing the club at this event. SASP also

plan to hold a camp sometime in the summer over a weekend. I will let you all know as soon as details

are released.

The information for this camp is available on the notice board or from me. This is a camp I have helped

out on for the past four years. It is a great opportunity to top up your swimming fitness, whilst everyone

else is sitting on the beach and eating ice creams. Athletes attending the course always have a fantastic

time, getting to meet other swimmers in the region who I'm sure you will meet again at competitions.

Also every year a Top Swimmer attends the camp and teaches you something invaluable about swimming!

This is a great opportunity! Entries need to be in by the 19th May and I need to sign them off.

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