What notable things happened today?
What notable things happened today?
It’s only 11:30 in the morning as I write this, but I’ve already been up for over six hours and it feels as though I’ve packed a full day into half of one.
The day began at 6:00am poolside with swimmers from our top Performance and Competitive squads. I took a two-hour aerobic training session that felt like a genuine coaching achievement. The set had to work for a very wide range of swimmers, from young adult elite athletes right through to much younger junior swimmers. Saturday mornings are always a little different. The swimmers like to train alongside their friends, so the structure is less rigid than during the week, with athletes from different squads sharing lanes and sessions. That presents challenges, but also opportunities.
The first ninety minutes alone included over 6km of work, centred around a substantial aerobic individual medley set, with different cycle times for different ability groups. It demanded pacing, discipline and technical quality while still allowing every swimmer to be appropriately challenged. Watching swimmers of very different ages and abilities complete the same overall framework, each at their own level, was particularly rewarding.
What pleased me most was the confidence with which I delivered the session. Nine months ago, before starting the Senior Club Coach course with the Institute of Swimming, I would probably have questioned whether I had the knowledge or authority to put together and lead a session of this complexity. Today, it felt natural. The course has given me both the technical understanding and the confidence to coach swimmers across a broad spectrum of ages and abilities.
No sooner had that session finished than I moved straight on to coaching the junior squad that I lead, before teaching even younger swimmers for another couple of hours. By mid-morning I had worked with athletes ranging from county and regional standard performers through to children just beginning their competitive swimming journey.
All in all, it has been a fabulous way to start both the day and the weekend. There is a real sense of momentum around the club at the moment. In three weeks’ time many of these swimmers will be competing in our Club Championships, an event that always brings the whole club together. This year it will be even more special because we will also be celebrating regaining the title of Sussex County Champions—a fitting reward for the hard work of swimmers, coaches, volunteers and parents alike.
For now, though, I’m content simply to reflect on a busy, rewarding morning and the privilege of helping swimmers at every stage of their development become a little better than they were yesterday.
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