The Swimming Thread - Pool/OW
Discussion
Scabutz said:
rastapasta said:
Hi All
can anyone here recommend a wetsuit to go swimming in 5-10 degree water in the winter? hood and boots also please
No I dont recommend going swimming in 5 degree water. Madness.can anyone here recommend a wetsuit to go swimming in 5-10 degree water in the winter? hood and boots also please
As for wetsuit though take your pick. The thickest swimming specific one will be about 4mm. Anything thicker is going to be pretty restrictive for swimming in. What sort of swimming will it be? You going for a paddle about or a proper freestyle swim? Also how good a swimmer are you? For extreme cold I would go for a 4:4 wetsuit at that gives the extra thickness up top, but poorer swimmers with sinky legs would do better swimming wise with a 3:5. If you want warmth over movement than look at a winter surfing wetsuit which will be 6mm or so.
You can get ones with an integrate hood. That would be good to stop ingress down your neck.
Youll also want something with a decent zip and seal. Swimming in 18 degree water a bit of ingress will be ok, but at that temp you want a thin bit of water in the suit and kept in as much as possible
2-3k each time so that’s about 50 mins or so no problems.
I’m wearing a wetsuit and thermal vest plus boots and gloves and a thermal cap.
Now the water in the lakes my way are open and all about 9c so I’m just in a wetsuit again.
If you’ve got a thermal wetsuit plus a vest 5c is no problem to swim in as long as you acclimatise slowly between seasons etc and know what you’re doing regarding thermal shock and afterdrop etc.
I’d agree though if someone is asking about swimming in 5c and what to wear, it suggests they haven’t done it before and aren’t particularly prepared.
How is everyone getting on?
I've had my kids back in the pool a couple of weeks now, top squad only has 8 hours a week (4 x 2 hour sessions) but that's plenty for phase one of our return.
Been some nice developments in our club.
We're starting a new OW section this summer which is exciting, permissions with local authorities all in place, just doing the whole risk assessment stuff and ensuring qualified supervisions, but because of the relative explosion in popularity and a local OW location closing (wealthy landowner stopping people swim in his lake shocker) there's quite a call for it and we're hopeful there will be indirect benefits for the club in terms of member reach in fundraising etc.
Also looking forward to our Masters getting back in the pool next month, we've worked really hard in lockdown to drive awarness on social media, posting historical times of swimmers and the engagement was superb, so many ex-swimmers now want to swim with their old mates again and we've got some committed to entering British Masters next year.
Hope other clubs get up to full speed soon!
I've had my kids back in the pool a couple of weeks now, top squad only has 8 hours a week (4 x 2 hour sessions) but that's plenty for phase one of our return.
Been some nice developments in our club.
We're starting a new OW section this summer which is exciting, permissions with local authorities all in place, just doing the whole risk assessment stuff and ensuring qualified supervisions, but because of the relative explosion in popularity and a local OW location closing (wealthy landowner stopping people swim in his lake shocker) there's quite a call for it and we're hopeful there will be indirect benefits for the club in terms of member reach in fundraising etc.
Also looking forward to our Masters getting back in the pool next month, we've worked really hard in lockdown to drive awarness on social media, posting historical times of swimmers and the engagement was superb, so many ex-swimmers now want to swim with their old mates again and we've got some committed to entering British Masters next year.
Hope other clubs get up to full speed soon!
Back to coaching and even got wet in a couple of public swim sessions, for which the local pool is limiting to 6 per double lane. I gave up sea swimming on September (kept the wetsuit on all summer!) And only managed 2 weeks of pool swimming when the tier system allowed.
I kept fit by running (getting quite fast again) and a daily 10min weight circuit to maintain upper body strength. Despite that, first swim back was quite shocking, though already better after swim #3. Not sure I'm ready for masters sessions, but then a 6 month gap should be better than the 20 year gap I'd recently returned from.
To the ice swimming breaststroker from the previous page, if you're still here?
1. Streamline the front of your stroke as best you can by recovering your arms quickly.
2. Your legs will likely be quite low in the water and causing drag. Make sure that your legs recover by feet to bum, not knees to hips (which is like dropping an anchor before every kick). You can get the hang of this by kicking on your back in streamline. Try to keep your knees close together (no wider than hips) and check that they are not coming any more than kneecap height out of the water.
I kept fit by running (getting quite fast again) and a daily 10min weight circuit to maintain upper body strength. Despite that, first swim back was quite shocking, though already better after swim #3. Not sure I'm ready for masters sessions, but then a 6 month gap should be better than the 20 year gap I'd recently returned from.
To the ice swimming breaststroker from the previous page, if you're still here?
1. Streamline the front of your stroke as best you can by recovering your arms quickly.
2. Your legs will likely be quite low in the water and causing drag. Make sure that your legs recover by feet to bum, not knees to hips (which is like dropping an anchor before every kick). You can get the hang of this by kicking on your back in streamline. Try to keep your knees close together (no wider than hips) and check that they are not coming any more than kneecap height out of the water.
Any swimming fans see the first day of the Euros on iPlayer today? Gold for the women's relay, silver for the men's and Aimee Willmott, some great swims from the GB swimmers and also the field in general, Kolesnikov's WR 50 back impressive, the man's a beast and I think might break the American's streak at the Olympics in the 100 back.
Oh and Peaty casually pops a 57 100 breast, aided by a spectacularly nasty 'tache.
As a club Masters swimmer, should have been back training inside today, but have put my back out, but hey ho, a few weeks' rest doesn't matter when there's no competitions to train for! Have been swimming outside long course in 16 degree water which wasn't a whole host of fun. Sadly my club (one of the best in the country, Arena League National finalists etc etc) has imploded over lockdown with the whole professional coaching staff resigning and many of the best age groupers leaving. We Masters have lost our coach, so have some random fill in bloke and a 16 year old girl who's just done her Level 1 qualification coaching us...
Hope everyone else is enjoying being back in a pool or continuing to enjoy swimming outdoors.
Oh and Peaty casually pops a 57 100 breast, aided by a spectacularly nasty 'tache.
As a club Masters swimmer, should have been back training inside today, but have put my back out, but hey ho, a few weeks' rest doesn't matter when there's no competitions to train for! Have been swimming outside long course in 16 degree water which wasn't a whole host of fun. Sadly my club (one of the best in the country, Arena League National finalists etc etc) has imploded over lockdown with the whole professional coaching staff resigning and many of the best age groupers leaving. We Masters have lost our coach, so have some random fill in bloke and a 16 year old girl who's just done her Level 1 qualification coaching us...
Hope everyone else is enjoying being back in a pool or continuing to enjoy swimming outdoors.
Long-time reader of this thread - not so much as a swimmer but more because PB Jnr2 is an up and coming club/regional multiclass swimmer (S9, SB8, SM9), and she's doing quite well.
Anyway, the reason for the post is more to do with ways to get involved. Jnr2's club was recently picked to provide the basket handlers at one of the national meets at Sydney Olympic Park. The basket handlers are the ball boys of swimming - taking the competitors towel, headphones, whatever in a basket and making sure its in the right spot for collection at the end of the race. In the case of a multiclass race it can include prosthetics and other aids.
Volunteering for this was a great way to get in to watch the competition, parents are in too, and also to meet some of the top swimmers, past and present. She came back quite bouncy having met a couple of swimming heroes, and also realised that next year, providing she hits the QTs, would be old enough to enter and race against some of these swimmers!
Anyway, the reason for the post is more to do with ways to get involved. Jnr2's club was recently picked to provide the basket handlers at one of the national meets at Sydney Olympic Park. The basket handlers are the ball boys of swimming - taking the competitors towel, headphones, whatever in a basket and making sure its in the right spot for collection at the end of the race. In the case of a multiclass race it can include prosthetics and other aids.
Volunteering for this was a great way to get in to watch the competition, parents are in too, and also to meet some of the top swimmers, past and present. She came back quite bouncy having met a couple of swimming heroes, and also realised that next year, providing she hits the QTs, would be old enough to enter and race against some of these swimmers!
PomBstard said:
Long-time reader of this thread - not so much as a swimmer but more because PB Jnr2 is an up and coming club/regional multiclass swimmer (S9, SB8, SM9), and she's doing quite well.
Anyway, the reason for the post is more to do with ways to get involved. Jnr2's club was recently picked to provide the basket handlers at one of the national meets at Sydney Olympic Park. The basket handlers are the ball boys of swimming - taking the competitors towel, headphones, whatever in a basket and making sure its in the right spot for collection at the end of the race. In the case of a multiclass race it can include prosthetics and other aids.
Volunteering for this was a great way to get in to watch the competition, parents are in too, and also to meet some of the top swimmers, past and present. She came back quite bouncy having met a couple of swimming heroes, and also realised that next year, providing she hits the QTs, would be old enough to enter and race against some of these swimmers!
If she enjoys it, then brilliant for her!Anyway, the reason for the post is more to do with ways to get involved. Jnr2's club was recently picked to provide the basket handlers at one of the national meets at Sydney Olympic Park. The basket handlers are the ball boys of swimming - taking the competitors towel, headphones, whatever in a basket and making sure its in the right spot for collection at the end of the race. In the case of a multiclass race it can include prosthetics and other aids.
Volunteering for this was a great way to get in to watch the competition, parents are in too, and also to meet some of the top swimmers, past and present. She came back quite bouncy having met a couple of swimming heroes, and also realised that next year, providing she hits the QTs, would be old enough to enter and race against some of these swimmers!
DeejRC said:
If she enjoys it, then brilliant for her!
Thanks 
Yes, she does enjoy it, so much so, that if she continues this year's development and results into 2022 then she'll be a contender for the pathway to either State or National development program for multiclass swimming. Its hard work, just getting her up every morning for training and going to races, but she is v competitive and loves swimming with her friends.Highway Star said:
Sadly my club (one of the best in the country, Arena League National finalists etc etc) has imploded over lockdown with the whole professional coaching staff resigning and many of the best age groupers leaving. We Masters have lost our coach, so have some random fill in bloke and a 16 year old girl who's just done her Level 1 qualification coaching us...
Hope everyone else is enjoying being back in a pool or continuing to enjoy swimming outdoors.
I assume you're City Of Oxford?Hope everyone else is enjoying being back in a pool or continuing to enjoy swimming outdoors.
God knows what went on there....seemed like a lot of airing of dirty laundry that's for sure.
Ah, how I don't miss the early morning pre school swim training. Nor the after school swim training. Nor the weekend swim training. Or the evening meets.
I was naturally pretty good at that age. But I *hated* swim training. With a passion. I drove my coaches nuts as a kid because it was blatantly obvious I had no interest nor passion for putting in the hard work and effort despite having the toolbox for the sport. In a space of 2-3yrs as a kid, natural ability is soon swamped by proper training and a passion for that hardware and effort. I applaud any who put that work in...and the parents who put the taxi work in
I was naturally pretty good at that age. But I *hated* swim training. With a passion. I drove my coaches nuts as a kid because it was blatantly obvious I had no interest nor passion for putting in the hard work and effort despite having the toolbox for the sport. In a space of 2-3yrs as a kid, natural ability is soon swamped by proper training and a passion for that hardware and effort. I applaud any who put that work in...and the parents who put the taxi work in
DeejRC said:
Ah, how I don't miss the early morning pre school swim training. Nor the after school swim training. Nor the weekend swim training. Or the evening meets.
I was naturally pretty good at that age. But I *hated* swim training. With a passion. I drove my coaches nuts as a kid because it was blatantly obvious I had no interest nor passion for putting in the hard work and effort despite having the toolbox for the sport. In a space of 2-3yrs as a kid, natural ability is soon swamped by proper training and a passion for that hardware and effort. I applaud any who put that work in...and the parents who put the taxi work in
I feel you...I was naturally pretty good at that age. But I *hated* swim training. With a passion. I drove my coaches nuts as a kid because it was blatantly obvious I had no interest nor passion for putting in the hard work and effort despite having the toolbox for the sport. In a space of 2-3yrs as a kid, natural ability is soon swamped by proper training and a passion for that hardware and effort. I applaud any who put that work in...and the parents who put the taxi work in
I've got 1 girl who's (was?) a regional swimmer, amazingly 'talented' naturally gifted, but f
k me is she not the most frustrating swimmer ever. Lazy as fk and moody and can literally ruin the rest of my day....all the girls get out, thank me, happy, say goodbye, then she gets out, blanks my goodbye and if she had snakes for hair I swear i'd turn to stone.Weirdly, I like her and I feel sorry for her because she clearly hates training and her parents make her go (she's talented and a single child so of course she's the best in the club according to her dad) but like you say, she's come back just as lazy, her peers have worked through lockdown and she's at the back of the lane and not happy about it.
I've tried everything and I won't give up, but for those kids who's parents have to wake their kids up and drag them out, then it's a s
t existence.The polar opposite is my son (the 15 year old) is far from talented, he's not gifted and in terms of competing, only got his first regional qualifying time for the 2020 season (so yeah, he's not s
t, but still miles off, never made a county final or anything) but he's got that work ethic that will take him places. He was in tears when he qualified as it meant so much to him, his best mate at the club was ranked no.2 in the country at that particular stroke at the time, so he's always felt he's not good, so he's had the patience talk and just enjoy it a lot!However, he went 28 secs in 50 fly at the end of a tough two hour session from the deck last week which he was over the moon with, his coach seems to think fresh and from a dive he's capable of low 27/high 26....which is actually pretty good....incredible with his patience, he's grown loads since counties last Feb, gone from 5'10 to 6'2". He's still a streak of piss too, so I expect he'll fill out a lot and still got plenty more to go, I hate using my own kids as an example, but he's gone from being below average to above average to decent in 2 years.
I have literally nothing to do with his coaching though, so no credit, so it's still exciting for me to hear him come back and talk tell me about every single length on the dive home
My daughter just talks about who's dating who etc, which is equally as nice as she clearly loves being there for other reasons which is fine.
Yep, I can see how dragging a child into swimming who doesn't really want to be there can be a pain. For all involved...
Luckily PB Jnr2 does enjoy it, so whilst she is a total pain to get up and get ready, she does usually put the effort in and is doing well at regional/State level. It helps that she swims with some of her friends from school, and the club she is about to join just came 10th in the Australian National Championships last month. Sometimes we forget that she has only just turned 11...
Luckily PB Jnr2 does enjoy it, so whilst she is a total pain to get up and get ready, she does usually put the effort in and is doing well at regional/State level. It helps that she swims with some of her friends from school, and the club she is about to join just came 10th in the Australian National Championships last month. Sometimes we forget that she has only just turned 11...
PomBstard said:
Yep, I can see how dragging a child into swimming who doesn't really want to be there can be a pain. For all involved...
Luckily PB Jnr2 does enjoy it, so whilst she is a total pain to get up and get ready, she does usually put the effort in and is doing well at regional/State level. It helps that she swims with some of her friends from school, and the club she is about to join just came 10th in the Australian National Championships last month. Sometimes we forget that she has only just turned 11...
That's awesome, it's nice when they swim with friends, that makes all the difference when they can share their experiences, even if it is scorning the coach on the way home for a rubbish set lol!Luckily PB Jnr2 does enjoy it, so whilst she is a total pain to get up and get ready, she does usually put the effort in and is doing well at regional/State level. It helps that she swims with some of her friends from school, and the club she is about to join just came 10th in the Australian National Championships last month. Sometimes we forget that she has only just turned 11...
dirty boy said:
That's awesome, it's nice when they swim with friends, that makes all the difference when they can share their experiences, even if it is scorning the coach on the way home for a rubbish set lol!
Reading this made me realise I've not yet said hello to her coach at the new club, at 7am its a case of drop off and go for a run or ride, so today I made a point of doing so. Glad I did, he's got quite a track record and just seems like a great bloke.His plan is for the older swimmers to be mentors for the younger ones, which sounds like a good idea. He also mentioned that although they came 10th at the recent comp, they did so on the back of having a lot of 13-15yo swimmers and not too many older. Going to be great in a few years time, I think 10th is just a starting point for him.
Finally, knowing that Jnr2 is an MC swimmer, he pointed to one of the swimmers in the lane next to the squad...
https://www.paralympic.org.au/athlete/tiffany-thom...
...who trains there everyday and was, today, also being coached by the Mentor Coach for Paralympics Australia. Sometimes you pick that moment where its all happening! Jnr2 was quite offhand about the whole thing...
And I don't think any of the squad give him grief for a rubbish set
Highway Star said:
dirty boy said:
I assume you're City Of Oxford?
God knows what went on there....seemed like a lot of airing of dirty laundry that's for sure.
Indeed, though I'm in the process of moving to another club now. I think a legal battle will probably ensue, but all in all, very sad.God knows what went on there....seemed like a lot of airing of dirty laundry that's for sure.
PomBstard said:
dirty boy said:
That's awesome, it's nice when they swim with friends, that makes all the difference when they can share their experiences, even if it is scorning the coach on the way home for a rubbish set lol!
Reading this made me realise I've not yet said hello to her coach at the new club, at 7am its a case of drop off and go for a run or ride, so today I made a point of doing so. Glad I did, he's got quite a track record and just seems like a great bloke.His plan is for the older swimmers to be mentors for the younger ones, which sounds like a good idea. He also mentioned that although they came 10th at the recent comp, they did so on the back of having a lot of 13-15yo swimmers and not too many older. Going to be great in a few years time, I think 10th is just a starting point for him.
Finally, knowing that Jnr2 is an MC swimmer, he pointed to one of the swimmers in the lane next to the squad...
https://www.paralympic.org.au/athlete/tiffany-thom...
...who trains there everyday and was, today, also being coached by the Mentor Coach for Paralympics Australia. Sometimes you pick that moment where its all happening! Jnr2 was quite offhand about the whole thing...
And I don't think any of the squad give him grief for a rubbish set
Paralympics is a massive thing, we have a lad who's off to Tokyo who my son swims in the lane with too, just a team mate to them and it's really cool when British Swimming send someone down to check up on what's going on, little clubs like ours don't get that usually.
dirty boy said:
Paralympics is a massive thing, we have a lad who's off to Tokyo who my son swims in the lane with too, just a team mate to them and it's really cool when British Swimming send someone down to check up on what's going on, little clubs like ours don't get that usually.
Teenage nonchalance 
but awesome that he's got the chance to goCan you let us know who the swimmer is? We'll be following it here and if anyone's familiar with Australian coverage of the Olympic/Paralympics, they'll know its a week of swimming followed by a week of swimming highlights - he'll be on the telly here somewhere!
And yes, Paralympics has become a big thing - recommend looking up Rising Phoenix on Netflix if you haven't already - includes swimmer Ellie Cole, trailer here...
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