06 Aug 2020
Returning to the Pool for Competitive Swimmers
Here at SafelySwim, we are working hard to set up our swimming lessons. Some groups will be able to return before others due to the safety guidelines which will need to put in place.
The first two groups to be returning will be our Learn to Compete (LTC) and Speed Through Technique (STT) sessions.
Our LTC sessions are for those in our Stage 5 or above who want to develop their technique and increase their speed and stamina. Our STT sessions are for swimmers who are actively competing and looking for extra technical analysis and training sets to benefit their race performance. However, both of these sessions need a few alterations in order to comply with the coronavirus guidelines.
The first change is that they must be booked in advance on our website, accessible through the ‘bookings’ link on the navigation bar. Our STT sessions can be booked up to 2 weeks in advance, this will be done on a first come, first served basis. Customers will need to pay and book each session individually online.
Our LTC sessions are booked in blocks of 10 weeks for each specific class. Customers will not need to continue to pre-book their sessions after the initial week. When the 10 weeks have passed customers will then need to purchase a new block of lessons. By pre-booking it will ensure that the pool will not be over-crowded and will be safe for our swimmers and staff.
We will be starting with 3 sessions a week:
- Monday evenings
- 5 - 6pm : LTC
- 6 - 7pm : STT
- Saturday Morning
- 7 - 8am : STT
- 8 - 9am : LTC
- Sunday evenings
- 6 - 7pm : STT
We are keen to start training as soon as possible, four months away from the pool is a long time for any swimmer (or coach!). So for the first few sessions we will be focusing heavily on technique and gradually building up stamina and speed.
It is likely that pupils’ fitness and technique levels will have dropped, regardless of the amount of activity they have done throughout their lockdown. Therefore, if we jump right back into full training there is a higher chance of injury. By going back to basics we can ensure that all swimmers are when they need to be, then we can build up to more complex sets.
Another change to our sessions is that swimmers will be required to bring their own equipment to each session.
Equipment needed is:
- Learn to Compete: Kickboard, pull buoy, drinks bottle (available to purchase on booking)
- Speed Through Technique: Kickboard, pull buoy, paddles, fins (if possible), drinks bottle (available to purchase on booking)
We look forward to welcoming you back, and getting back into the pool!
If you want to find out more about our STT session, watch Lee’s video blog below.
