Poolside Chat: parents of competitive swimmers

[2ducksandI]

Seems I managed to fill the other thread with talk of taking fridges to away galas! And I didnt even mean a fridge I meant an electric cool box So I've started another thread. Hope you all find it.

Oh and swim England have confirmed you can purchase online in the day.

Waiting for British now

I'll sell our finals on when he doesn't make!

It's the "quality" of swimmers that is the difference though and judges have to be able to be confident with the different standards.

But about 50% in a level 3 would qualify for a level 2.

Anyway he’s been signed off regardless of it.

I guess you a) don't realise all that comes with elite level and b) most of us do just assume our kids will swim and do a few galas rather than make regional and national level.

We’re not at elite level but I used to have a horse. A night in a hotel is about the same as the farrier alone. The race suits are a lot cheaper than tack and riding clothes. And as for livery 😂😂. Swimming seems fine to me in comparison…..

Exciting times for some re British nationals good luck all!

Oh yes, I've never viewed anything related to horse ownership as cheap!!

So apparently the top 3 from each age group at Open Water Regionals qualify for Open Water Nationals. If you end up in the top 3 by default as there are 3 or less swimmers of your age and gender do you still qualify for nationals even though you haven't "earned" it so to speak?

I’d have thought so. Someone from our club has qualified, not dd she’d be as likely to take up boxing.

I'll buy them off you if that's the case if you have any for the following days:

Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday

Usually it doesn't matter many but check the conditions for your regional.

Sometimes they operate a -1 rule. For example if there's 3 the top 2 will qualify. But they can't follow different rules than nationals set so those terms and conditions matter too.

My dad is back involved in the open water for our region again.. he stepped back after his own cancer and also caring for mum with her cancer and then covid. I'm glad he's getting out and about and involved again as I was worried when mum died he miss having neither instead of both or either.

I have finals tickets for Sunday, Monday Tuesday you can have if we don't need them on the day!

No i don't

I have Saturday, Monday and Tuesday

I'll have Saturday and Thursday finals if not needed

Although wouldn't it be amazing if we actually got to sit and watch our DCs in British finals.

I fear I would spontaneously combust with pride

Yep it would! The fact he's actually made it is why I haven't signed up to officiate this time as I'd like not to be impartial

DS had a one off early morning swim training this morning, I dont know how anyone does this several times a week I feel like I'm ready for my bed already!

You get use to it!

My ds swims at 5am 4 weekday mornings so we get up at 4. Therefore we are in bed every night at 9pm.

Saturdays he starts at 6 so we get up at 5.

Your body clock just adjust to early mornings and early evenings.

Plus we are generally on the go from the moment we are up until I crash so I'm tired enough to get to sleep quickly and properly

Only 2 per week with a 4:30am alarm but it will go up on next squad move. Definitely get used to it!

Your body does get used to it and it's always easier in the summer than winter.

Winter is hateful as it's cold and dark and dragging yourself out of warm bed into cold car is not fun.

And the rain!!

I was going to say the same.

And in summer you can go for nice walks (we are lucky our pool is 5 minutes drive from the beach and directly next to a bit of coastal walk).

Winter you are great full for the warmth of the pool though.

Pools might get a bit warm, but a heck of a lot better than standing on a cold, wet and windy touch line!!!

See I'm a bit odd I loved watching him play rugby before he quit to concentrate on swimming. I loved getting wrapped up warm and eating a bacon sandwich in the club house afterwards. I'd rather be cold than too hot any day.

Yeah I like wrapping up warm rather than being too hot and not being able to strip to my underwear 🤣🤣🤣

Shame ds has only ever tried dancing and swimming which both involve hours inside hot buildings.

My other DC played football - my toes were constantly numb in winter so I was always grateful for the warmth of poolside (even with early starts!)

An hour after getting in a swimming ds went to loo. Came back saying he had dodgy tummy.

Coach was like - see ya then!!!! And I won't see you tonight!!!!

Think there's some bug going around because quite a few swimmers have had some kind of 24 hour thing the past 10 days or so.