Poolside chat- continues here 😁

[Glittertwins]

Did I get this done right??

As Glittertwins said, but as a rough starting point there is a correlation of our fitter/stronger/technically better younger swimmers also doing park runs, gymnastics or martial arts. The older regional and upwards swimmers all have junior gym memberships and some do pilates. Rock climbing also features in a good number of the better swimmers across all age groups too.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the senior coaching team are in full agreement that football ruins their swimmers (knee kicking over hips), and even as a less-experienced coach I can spot the footballers (and the gymnasts!) in my lanes.

Mine were running adult 5km park runs at the age of 5. Not really advisable now due to potential joint damage but this was before they started swimming at a club. I swear his killer kick does come from all that distance running.
The land training our younger ones do is all body weight based. The older ones have full gym sessions run by PTs with specific programs as to what the swim coach wants to work on according to race calendar. We don't do anything else outside of swim club.

Yes speak to coaches for specifics but I know our coaches of the younger academy and development swimmers encourage a multi sports approach to fitness.

When they hit 10-12 and move into more squad type training they did aerobic type fitness sessions with our s and c coach.

They do gym sessions when they get into regional and national but again it's split in to age and strength and development and so where you are developmentally will determine your set and exercises.

It's only really once they hit 16+ and the top set of gym are they allowed to do the sets as directed but independently in the gym. And even then it's agreed that the club aren't responsible iyswim?

I don’t about a training point of view, but as a parent fewer, longer sessions would be more time efficient!

There is a huge range in county times, but the counties vary hugely by population too, I think I am right in saying that Yorkshire would be close to 10 times the size of Shropshire. There is a lot of variation even accounting for different sizes though! Ours have become really fast at the older end (albeit still not on the Kent/ Yorkshire/Surrey levels!)

County times will also depend on how many swimmers the county can accommodate at their champs. Much discussion at NE regionals this weekend as N&D county times quicker than Yorkshire county times. But Yorkshire have got Ponds Forge so can fit more swimmers in and more swimmers means more money.

Is that a number of lanes thing as Ponds Forge has 10 lanes rather than 8, or
space poolside to accommodate swimmers?

Ours have still got quicker despite moving to a 10 lane pool with more poolside space.

The county committee is probably looking at the current times of the age cohorts and adjusting them so they get a top x percentage for the competition / age group. I laugh when I look at ours as this year the only person to have the actual qualifying time, not consideration time, in 5 events was my DC.

I'm not sure how our county times compare to other counties. I'm Hampshire.

I know our regional times are often said to be hard!

But ds is less than half a second out of 50/100/400 free LC auto times and has 5 consideration times (over LC and SC) so I can't imagine that they are that difficult in the grand scheme of things 😂😂 (although I imagine he wouldn't get in under consideration as most events accept 20-26 swimmers!)

That's very impressive though Glitter

I understood this is what happens in our county too, but it must be based on an average over a few years as some combinations of age & event don't currently have enough DCs for a full final and looking at the next few highest ranking PBs, it is unlikely they will be able to knock enough off in time in some cases. They've also made the 200m+ events insanely tough - understandable that they don't want a load of heats for the 1500, but it's to the point there sometimes aren't even 3 DCs with qualifying times to be able to award a 1st, 2nd & 3rd, particularly at the younger end. January gone, a girl at our club won gold in the 200 fly as the only qualifier. It doesn't make for much of a competition!
Our county switched to consideration times only from qualifying times only a couple of years ago in a bid to avoid half-empty finals, but it still hasn't fixed the problem. I like the system of tough qualifying times with generous consideration times so events can be filled up.

It does but it's also pretty unrealistic for everyone else. Not so bad now it's open age but l don't think it's very positive for others.

I like the system of tough qualifying times with generous consideration times so events can be filled up.

This seems to be the tact of our county!

Thanks @SkankingWombat - so yes to running and no to gymnastics?

No, gymnastics is great: very good for strength and flexibility, and the gymnasts always have great form in the water. Lovely tidy body positions, attention to making stroke corrections, tight streamlines etc. The only downside is it's another very time-consuming sport and the DCs end up needing to choose between them much earlier than other sports.
They are as easy to pick out as the footballers, but for positive reasons instead.

Ah I see - makes sense! Thanks

Gymnastics is always a good one because of they can't choose between that or swimming they can love into artistic and diving - best of both worlds!

I agree, ballet is also good.

Morning! My 12yo DD just got her first period. She has training tomorrow evening and really doesn’t want to miss it. Any recommendations for period swimwear for competitive swimmers? Thank you.

Wuka are designed for swimming

Feel like I've had to do a bit of catch up reading!

our club doesn't offer any land based training. I'm hoping that rugby twice a week will help (running!). I'm mindful that if he wants to continue to progress then he'll have to keep upping his training.

I don't really understand the talk about county qualifying and consideration times. What's the difference? As far as im aware ours are qualification times and we run heats then finals. DS didn't make it to finals last year but I've got hopes placing for this year 🤞

A consideration time means you will be considered for the event but if there are too many the slowest swimmers get cut before the draft programme released.

A qualification time should mean if you meet it you will definitely be swimming but sometimes there still have to be cuts if too many qualify.

That's why most Counties and Regions use consideration times so people know if they just scrape in they are not guaranteed a place to avoid disappointment and complaints.

thank you @Hellocatshome that makes sense.

Most of the girls who won’t use tampons wear period bikini bottoms under leg suits.

If it’s only light then with a sensible swimsuit there is no need to worry.

Dd1 used tampons from the start with few issues. Dd2 has had one period so far and really isn’t keen. Dd1 says she doesn’t bother if it’s light though…..

Ours are only qualification times. I’ve never heard of anyone with a qualification time being rejected.

I've followed this thread from afar for years so hope you don't mind me asking some advice from some experienced swim mums!

My 13 year old son trains and competes regularly but recently has been plagued by swimmer's ear. GP was lovely but said ultimately it may come down to 'cutting out the trigger'. Swimming is his life and coping mechanism after losing his disabled brother last year and we were both upset it may have to come down to this!

Does anyone have any advice about how to prevent his ears flaring up? He has tried the Earol swim spray and Mack's Dry n' Clear but these haven't prevented this latest infection. His ears have never been a problem until recently so this seems new territory.

I've looked at moulded earplugs but I don't know how well he could hear instructions from the coach in training or sort the good from the ineffective. Are there any caps which are recommended? Any tried and tested recommendations would be amazing and so gratefully received!

He's so upset this evening and I just want to tell him it will be okay.