Sunday 28 April 2013

Blog 1611: Camp 2014

Following the success of our 2013 camp we are hoping to go ahead with a camp in February 2014. Obviously we need to get this booked as soon as possible and there will be a list on the notice board at West Park for interested parties to put their names on. The cost should be in the region of £750 again looking at current flight prices and the estimate from Sports Abroad we have received  We are looking at going somewhere in the period of 9-25th of February for a week and hopefully not in half term time to keep the costs down. Remember schools will support this external education as they did with Jo and Sam Parker last year.  As with last year, the camp is open to all Long Eaton swimmers who are 13 or above at the time of age group regional's in June. Once we have an idea of numbers etc we will hold a camp meeting to discuss matters further and collect an initial deposit of £200 so please fill in the sheet on the notice board ASAP.

Wednesday 24 April 2013

Blog 1609: Squad Loose Change Challenge

Each squad has been given a container in which to collect as much small change or foreign currency by Club Champs weekend, where the winning squad will be announced.

All money raised will go towards club funds and help keep monthly fees down. So lighten those pockets and purses, as every penny counts.

Thank you

Tuesday 23 April 2013

Blog 1607: City of Derby Level 3

An amazing weekend for Long Eaton swimmers at COD level 3 meet with nearly every swim being a PB. The team of around 20 swimmers took the 4th place in the top club event only behind teams of 40-50 swimmers. In the individual age group all round events, Madison Walker was 3rd, as was Oliver Tipping, Joshua Beech was 1st, Megan Smart 3rd, Erin Dilks 5th Chloe Blaydon 6th, Rebecca Smithurst 2nd and Bethanie Dennis 3rd. With Josh Beech coming 6th overall in the males. I popped down and sat in the crowd as a spectator on the Saturday afternoon and whilst I tried not to coach I couldn't help it. I was mainly speaking about skills and race pacing. Having the courage to go for it on the 100 and 200 events and hold on instead of leaving everything until the last length and getting out saying, "I could have gone faster". As for skills, despite me moaning about details I have to say that our clubs skills were the best on display at the gala and it was interesting overhearing and watching other teams coaches giving feedback, some compared their swimmers skills to ours and other feedback was as extensive as a well done. We have some of the best coaches around and the feedback they give is detailed and of the highest level. It is your job as a swimmer to take that feedback and use it to keep improving. Erin Dilks became the 17th swimmer in the home prorgamme to obtain this years Regional times in the 100 and 200 backstroke.  Just 3 more to meet the target I set of 20 for the  home based swimmers of the club.

Monday 22 April 2013

Blog 1606: Session Cancellations

To clarify the situation regarding session cancellations:

Sessions are cancelled when galas are on. We only cancel the session or joint session for the squads that are meant to be competing at that gala.

We keep these cancellations to a minimum.

Coaches cannot be in 2 places at once and priority is given to the competitive side of the club.

These cancellations are taken into account in your fees and so you are not losing any money on them.

The gala programme on this blog is regularly updated and if you keep an eye on it you will know which galas to enter and what sessions will be cancelled. Blog posts are a reminder of which sessions are cancelled.

I hope this will stop any further confusion.


Monday 15 April 2013

Blog 1603: Diddy League

Having attended the A team gala at Queens I was extremely impressed with the progress the junior end of the club is making. In a gala where we would of finished 4th at best last season some incredible performances and countless victories put us into 2nd place a mere 6 points behind the winners. What was noticeable were the skills we had compared to the other clubs. The underwater and finishing skills were second to none on the night. That being said those 6 points came from areas where our skills were not above the opposition. Make sure when you're coaches are giving you instructions regarding streamlining, stroke counting, diving or turns make sure you try and do them every repetition in training and next round lets push forward for the victory. The reports I have had from the B team are of a similar nature all very positive. These galas are a great learning curve for all swimmers and hopefully this will encourage more of you to compete in open meets.