Initial Tenerife Tour Report

All in all, a good tour...

We had some outstanding swimming training, which was a real eye opener for those who continually picked up aches and pains throughout the week. This was mostly due to lack of preparation for the increase in both distance and sessions.

I believe, as a first tour, the idea of a joint club tour was good. This has let us see both the good and bad points to take forward to our next tour.

With two Head Coaches, it was inevitable that we wouldn’t agree on everything. This will be discussed and taken forward to help us in the future.

I am awaiting the information Chantal gained from the swimmers on her brief post tour questionnaire.

Our own survey will be sent out shortly as I know some of our swimmers found it difficult to openly say how they felt about the tour.

We can then collate all the information to assist us in our next tour venture.

Since the last newsletter, Kim, Clive and ten of our swimmers have returned from a joint training camp with Witney SC in Tenerife. It sounds as though it was an enjoyable and valuable (albeit tiring!) experience for all, although poor Eloise was and still is unwell - we are missing you, Eloise and hope that you are better soon.

A big ‘thank you’ to Clive for accompanying the trip as 4SSC chaperone and to Kim for all his input and organisation. Discussions are underway as to the possibility of running our own summer swim camp in the UK in the future – watch this space! 

Our thoughts and best wishes are with Aaron Lamb who missed the Regionals last weekend due to being injured in a motorbike accident. This is the first time he had qualified for the Regionals and we understand how disappointed and frustrated he must be – get well soon, Aaron. 

'Well done' to Fe and Rebecca for reaching the SE Regionals last weekend and for some great swims - congratulations to you both.

A reminder that this term ends on Friday 16 December with the Christmas party taking place 1800-2030 on Thurs 15 December at Kingham Hill School. Details of our Christmas training schedule will be sent out shortly.

A few reminders from our Coaching Team:

• Please can all swimmers make sure they bring a water bottle to EVERY training session. Several swimmers are repeatedly arriving without one.
• Similarly, all swimmers should be bringing full kit along to EVERY training session please. This excludes new members who are requested to have full kit by the end of their first term with us please.
• All swimmers should ensure they have used the toilet prior to entering the pool. Toilet breaks will be scheduled at a convenient time by the coaches during a 90 minute session and should be adhered to. Requesting a toilet break when a difficult  set is approaching is not acceptable!
• If your child is unwell or tired, consider whether they should be training as sometimes a break is more beneficial. The coaches are constantly being asked to make allowances for tiredness or minor ailments/strains and while every sympathy is given to genuine injuries with sets adjusted accordingly, 8 separate requests were made during a recent session which is just not realistic.

Thank you all for your support in ensuring sessions run smoothly to enable all swimmers to gain as much benefit as possible from their training.

A warm welcome to our new swimmers:

Gordon Syme (Dad to Aaron & Ana) and Chris Smith who have recently joined our Masters squad – rumour has it that they are both rather quick and will be keeping Clive & Chris B on their toes.....!