The Swimming Thread - Pool/OW
Discussion
PomBstard said:
Thanks 
On that point I don’t know if she’d have had the same opportunities in the UK. Over here, swimming is pushed relentlessly such that most kids who live within 20km of the ocean or near a large metro area are proficient swimmers by the time they’re 7, and just about all swim schools have some form of informal racing or connection to a local club. Also the school swimming competitions provide lots of opportunity to race at different levels. And it was those last two things together that got PB Jnr2 on her way.
Whilst it is several decades since I was at school in the UK, I don’t recall anywhere near as much opportunity, presume this has changed?
My kids at 4/6 (5/7 in April), and will have no swimming in school until they are year 4 (8-9yo), where the requirement is that they can swim 25m.Antony Moxey said:
How superb. Please remind her she's British though. 
Right up to the point where she speaks On that point I don’t know if she’d have had the same opportunities in the UK. Over here, swimming is pushed relentlessly such that most kids who live within 20km of the ocean or near a large metro area are proficient swimmers by the time they’re 7, and just about all swim schools have some form of informal racing or connection to a local club. Also the school swimming competitions provide lots of opportunity to race at different levels. And it was those last two things together that got PB Jnr2 on her way.
Whilst it is several decades since I was at school in the UK, I don’t recall anywhere near as much opportunity, presume this has changed?
So most people are in private swim lessons from the age of 4 via a swim England program.
Some competitive clubs are big enough to have a swim school that feeds into their development squads, which is becoming more common now.
Id tend to agree though that unless you are of a swimming background, this isn't pushed so much in the UK, and the school system doesn't promote anything than achieving the bare minimum.
My aim for next year is that both of my kids are able to swim 50m of the lido comfortably. My son (just about) managed it this summer, but required flipping often between his front and back. where his backstroke kick alone was propell him 50m with no issues.
I should have made clear that it is through private swim classes that kids learn to swim - it’s just assumed that all kids are enrolled in some form of swimming tuition by the time they’re 4/5 - ours were all in a pool at the age of 6 months…
At primary school it’s expected that all will take part in the annual school swimming races by the time they’re 7 - this will be in a 50m pool, and enter at least the 50m Freestyle. From age 8, all can enter any stroke and distance - 50, 100, and 200 plus 200IM.
It is from these annual school comps that the challenges start - the top three in each event at each age go on to compete at Zone, against about 9/10 other schools. From there it’s onto Regional which is made up of 8-10 Zones, then State level. For age 10+ the comp can be at National level, where the top 2 or 3 represent their State.
That lot is entirely within the school system, takes about 6 months to play out, and takes time, energy and money! Obvs those that are part of a swimming club will be more likely to progress,
At primary school it’s expected that all will take part in the annual school swimming races by the time they’re 7 - this will be in a 50m pool, and enter at least the 50m Freestyle. From age 8, all can enter any stroke and distance - 50, 100, and 200 plus 200IM.
It is from these annual school comps that the challenges start - the top three in each event at each age go on to compete at Zone, against about 9/10 other schools. From there it’s onto Regional which is made up of 8-10 Zones, then State level. For age 10+ the comp can be at National level, where the top 2 or 3 represent their State.
That lot is entirely within the school system, takes about 6 months to play out, and takes time, energy and money! Obvs those that are part of a swimming club will be more likely to progress,
dirty boy said:
PomBstard said:
Thought I’d also add this about this morning’s training itself, as PB Jnr2 was quite puffed and wanted to tell me all about it…
This morning’s session was 2hrs. After stretching/activation the warm up was around 1.6km and the main set was 3.6km of IM program, much of it at race pace. Then there was a cool down of 1.0km of various strokes.
Total swim 6.2km, with one arm. Then home for a shower and packed off to school for the day.
Note that PB Jnr2 is not in the club’s Open Squad, so doesn’t do their top level of training…
6.2km in an age group program is a sThis morning’s session was 2hrs. After stretching/activation the warm up was around 1.6km and the main set was 3.6km of IM program, much of it at race pace. Then there was a cool down of 1.0km of various strokes.
Total swim 6.2km, with one arm. Then home for a shower and packed off to school for the day.
Note that PB Jnr2 is not in the club’s Open Squad, so doesn’t do their top level of training…
t load of metres! How hold is PB Jnr2? Also, big nod on the expense.
I did a calculation a number of years ago over 3 months, I calculated all costs (so fuel included - training fees, race entries, equipment, lost f
king bottles 
) and it was averaging at £500 a month - 2 swimmers.So yeah, not cheap when you start to take it seriously.
PB Jnr2 is 13, and prob the youngest in her squad by the fact that she is one of only 2 MC swimmers in the club (the other just captained Australia at the World Deaf Swimming Champs in Argentina back in August) and competes at a high level.
As for the expense, we’ve given up counting - club fees are about $200/month, training suits are $80-100 each and last about 2-3 months, race suits are $400, entry fees are $25+ per race, travel to Sydney Olympic Park is about 20km each way but the traffic’s s
te. Gold Coast or Melbourne comps are $2000 for travel and accommodation.And living in one of the big cities, we’ve got it easy - anyone outside of those has to travel to a major city for any serious competition. And many, many do just that, often from 3-4 hours away each time.
PomBstard said:
dirty boy said:
PomBstard said:
Thought I’d also add this about this morning’s training itself, as PB Jnr2 was quite puffed and wanted to tell me all about it…
This morning’s session was 2hrs. After stretching/activation the warm up was around 1.6km and the main set was 3.6km of IM program, much of it at race pace. Then there was a cool down of 1.0km of various strokes.
Total swim 6.2km, with one arm. Then home for a shower and packed off to school for the day.
Note that PB Jnr2 is not in the club’s Open Squad, so doesn’t do their top level of training…
6.2km in an age group program is a sThis morning’s session was 2hrs. After stretching/activation the warm up was around 1.6km and the main set was 3.6km of IM program, much of it at race pace. Then there was a cool down of 1.0km of various strokes.
Total swim 6.2km, with one arm. Then home for a shower and packed off to school for the day.
Note that PB Jnr2 is not in the club’s Open Squad, so doesn’t do their top level of training…
t load of metres! How hold is PB Jnr2? Also, big nod on the expense.
I did a calculation a number of years ago over 3 months, I calculated all costs (so fuel included - training fees, race entries, equipment, lost f
king bottles ) and it was averaging at £500 a month - 2 swimmers.So yeah, not cheap when you start to take it seriously.
PB Jnr2 is 13, and prob the youngest in her squad by the fact that she is one of only 2 MC swimmers in the club (the other just captained Australia at the World Deaf Swimming Champs in Argentina back in August) and competes at a high level.
As for the expense, we’ve given up counting - club fees are about $200/month, training suits are $80-100 each and last about 2-3 months, race suits are $400, entry fees are $25+ per race, travel to Sydney Olympic Park is about 20km each way but the traffic’s s
te. Gold Coast or Melbourne comps are $2000 for travel and accommodation.And living in one of the big cities, we’ve got it easy - anyone outside of those has to travel to a major city for any serious competition. And many, many do just that, often from 3-4 hours away each time.
Yeah, don't count the cost. $25 a race is a lot isn't it? (no idea on exchange rate at mo) we did AP International this year, I think that was £16 a race, soon escalates!
Premier Inn all the way for me lol!
Anyone keep abreast of the short course Euros last week?
Some good swimming from GB, topping the medal table. Jimmy Guy seems to be enjoying life at Millfield. GB depth very impressive, in places with heat swims being sudden death for GB swimmers in many events given only the top 2 from each country could advance to semis. Olympic champ Tom Dean didn't make it out of the heats in any event.
Best swim of the week had to be Dan Wiffen's WR in the 800 and not just because that's an event I do and I follow him on social media. The previous record was one of the best, if not the best short course WR, 15 years old by Grant Hackett in a full bodysuit and Wiffen destroyed it, negatively splitting the two 400s. I watched the race live on my phone on poolside when warming up for training last night and got two of the distance swimming kids over to watch it and show them how it's done. Inspirational stuff.
Some good swimming from GB, topping the medal table. Jimmy Guy seems to be enjoying life at Millfield. GB depth very impressive, in places with heat swims being sudden death for GB swimmers in many events given only the top 2 from each country could advance to semis. Olympic champ Tom Dean didn't make it out of the heats in any event.
Best swim of the week had to be Dan Wiffen's WR in the 800 and not just because that's an event I do and I follow him on social media. The previous record was one of the best, if not the best short course WR, 15 years old by Grant Hackett in a full bodysuit and Wiffen destroyed it, negatively splitting the two 400s. I watched the race live on my phone on poolside when warming up for training last night and got two of the distance swimming kids over to watch it and show them how it's done. Inspirational stuff.
PomBstard said:
Yeah, big distance though they are now peaking ahead of a comp in a couple of weeks so the taper starts soon.
Quick update on this comp, which was the NSW Senior State Age Champs, prob the second biggest event at this level after the Australian Age ChampsPBJnr2 managed to bag 4 golds for 12-14G MC in 50FY, 50BK, 100BR and 50BR, and silver in the 12-14G MC 100BK which she lost to her v good friend by just 0.3s. Also bagged 5th overall in the 100FR.
The 50BR time is also a (yet to be verified) national record for S9 13&U Girls. It’s also quicker than the current record for 14Y Girls but not sure it’ll be counted for that too as she’s U14, not actually 14.
All in all, a good end to 2023 - now in the midst of 3 weeks of no training
And obligatory pics…
Wishing you all happy swimming for 2024!
Hello all, hope I can dip in here to ask a question from the swimmers.
Not for me but friends who are coming sailing with me and want to swim off the boat, they are not very confident swimmers.
I am sure I heard somewhere about float assist type rash vests or shirts that can be worn for OW swimmers.
We’ll be in the med in summer so a wetsuit wouldn’t be quite right, but just something they can slip on and feel more confident in…..
I have exhausted my Google-fu on this, come up blanks. Am I imaging these things exist?
Not for me but friends who are coming sailing with me and want to swim off the boat, they are not very confident swimmers.
I am sure I heard somewhere about float assist type rash vests or shirts that can be worn for OW swimmers.
We’ll be in the med in summer so a wetsuit wouldn’t be quite right, but just something they can slip on and feel more confident in…..
I have exhausted my Google-fu on this, come up blanks. Am I imaging these things exist?
PushedDover said:
Hello all, hope I can dip in here to ask a question from the swimmers.
Not for me but friends who are coming sailing with me and want to swim off the boat, they are not very confident swimmers.
I am sure I heard somewhere about float assist type rash vests or shirts that can be worn for OW swimmers.
We’ll be in the med in summer so a wetsuit wouldn’t be quite right, but just something they can slip on and feel more confident in…..
I have exhausted my Google-fu on this, come up blanks. Am I imaging these things exist?
I would say personally that if I had a boat and unconfident swimmers wanted to swim off it I'd be telling them it's not happening, regardless of what type of life jacket/bouyancy aid they were wearing. My completely uneducated view is that if anything happened as the boat owner somehow you'd be partly responsible. Just doesn't seem particularly smart to me.Not for me but friends who are coming sailing with me and want to swim off the boat, they are not very confident swimmers.
I am sure I heard somewhere about float assist type rash vests or shirts that can be worn for OW swimmers.
We’ll be in the med in summer so a wetsuit wouldn’t be quite right, but just something they can slip on and feel more confident in…..
I have exhausted my Google-fu on this, come up blanks. Am I imaging these things exist?
Antony Moxey said:
PushedDover said:
Hello all, hope I can dip in here to ask a question from the swimmers.
Not for me but friends who are coming sailing with me and want to swim off the boat, they are not very confident swimmers.
I am sure I heard somewhere about float assist type rash vests or shirts that can be worn for OW swimmers.
We’ll be in the med in summer so a wetsuit wouldn’t be quite right, but just something they can slip on and feel more confident in…..
I have exhausted my Google-fu on this, come up blanks. Am I imaging these things exist?
I would say personally that if I had a boat and unconfident swimmers wanted to swim off it I'd be telling them it's not happening, regardless of what type of life jacket/bouyancy aid they were wearing. My completely uneducated view is that if anything happened as the boat owner somehow you'd be partly responsible. Just doesn't seem particularly smart to me.Not for me but friends who are coming sailing with me and want to swim off the boat, they are not very confident swimmers.
I am sure I heard somewhere about float assist type rash vests or shirts that can be worn for OW swimmers.
We’ll be in the med in summer so a wetsuit wouldn’t be quite right, but just something they can slip on and feel more confident in…..
I have exhausted my Google-fu on this, come up blanks. Am I imaging these things exist?
A rash vest is worn under a wetsuit to stop chaffing. It won't provide any buoyancy. Only thing I can think of is buoyancy shorts which people use in training if they have sinky legs. Which in themselves are a a bit st - train yourself out of it.
Anyway not sure those would help much and agree with what others have said. If they aren't confident swimmers then jumping off a boat into the season sounds like a bad idea. I am a confident swimmer and I would think twice about doing that.
t - train yourself out of it.Anyway not sure those would help much and agree with what others have said. If they aren't confident swimmers then jumping off a boat into the season sounds like a bad idea. I am a confident swimmer and I would think twice about doing that.
OK, fair enough all -
it was the 'swimmers' who were asking me. And wether there would be life jackets etc.
Of course there will be, but I wont endorse using them for swimming in, and they'd be wholly unsuitable and unfair on the boat owner.
It'll just be pool noodles and alike then, I only ask as I am sure I heard someone on the radio mentioning a float shirt.
Just for clarity, I think its more the mental aspect of not touching the bottom, than not being able to swim. This is the likes of the overnight stop over spots:
We (wife and I) will often throw a floating line out the back and swim within whilel drifting at sea
it was the 'swimmers' who were asking me. And wether there would be life jackets etc.
Of course there will be, but I wont endorse using them for swimming in, and they'd be wholly unsuitable and unfair on the boat owner.
It'll just be pool noodles and alike then, I only ask as I am sure I heard someone on the radio mentioning a float shirt.
Just for clarity, I think its more the mental aspect of not touching the bottom, than not being able to swim. This is the likes of the overnight stop over spots:
We (wife and I) will often throw a floating line out the back and swim within whilel drifting at sea
PomBstard said:
PB Jnr2, well, the little trip to AIS appears to have snowballed as we’ve been asked to fill out a few forms with “IPC Athlete Agreement” and “World Para Swimming” written across the top. A follow up call said to be ready to go to Melbourne in Feb as there’s a possibility she could be selected to undergo International Classification when the World Para Series is in town.
We think st might just have got real.
And, lo, it has become so.We think s
t might just have got real.We have an appointment with World Para Swimming Classification in Melbourne in about 4 weeks’ time! Following that, PBJnr2 will then swim in the World Para Series the next day. Going to be an experience, if nothing else.
We should also consider ourselves lucky to get Melbourne - the last time classification opportunities came up was last year in Canada, and people were given 2 weeks notice…
Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff