Webchat with Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington and her mum Kay (plus a chance to win a pool party for your child!), TODAY, Thursday 15 November, 12.30-1.30pm

[RachelMumsnet]

Olympic medallist Rebecca Adlington and her mum, Kay, are joining us on Thursday 15 November at 12.30pm for a live webchat. As well as talking about her own experiences as an Olympic swimmer, Kay will be sharing what it was like getting up every morning to take her daughter swimming for all those many years!

Rebecca will also be offering advice on how to get your children and you to enjoy swimming. Rebecca is currently working with Speedo on their Learn To Swim campaign, which was launched in response to research findings that an astonishing 40% of children can't swim. Join Rebecca at 12.30pm on Thurs or send a question in advance to this thread.

Rebecca and Kay have also just launched 'The S Factor' competition inviting kids under ten to draw a new sea character to join the Speedo Sea Squad. Anyone can enter at www.mumsnet.com/microsites/speedo until 29 November. The winner will be chosen by Rebecca and Kay and will win a free pool party hosted by Rebecca herself and the Speedo Sea Squad. The winning design will join the Sea Squad as an honorary member to front the campaign encouraging kids to take the plunge.

[blondieminx]

Thanks to Rebecca and Kay for answering my questions . And thanks as always to MNHQ for allowing questions before the web chat starts for those of us where RL gets in the way of MNing

[ThePathanKhansWitch]

Thankyou for answering my question.

Lovely, lovely people!.

[RatherBeOnThePiste]

I'm so glad my daughter admires strong women like Rebecca, and we are so happppyyyyyyyy that she had a reply!!

[TheDoctrineOfSnatch]

What a lovely chat, must be the politest one ever

[feetheart]

Bugger, missed it :(

[moonbells]

wow, I got an answer! :)

That in itself should help in encouraging DS. And also to MNHQ, how many people could run into a problem, and the very next day get to ask an Olympic medallist how to fix it? Thanks, everyone for giving us these chances!

[EnglishGirlApproximately]

Great webchat, they seemed really nice :)

[2cats2many]

OOOOHHH!!! Missed the webchat, but wanted to say that you are one of my (small) daughter's heros. She doesn't know the names of very many famous people, but loves to swim and was so excitied when you won your medals at London 2012.

Congratulations on everything that you've achieved.

[jepa]

Thank you for answering my question,
I'm going to show them when I get home - might even say that Rebecca Adlington tells them to, that should work!
Off to look at Speedo website- it's technically my lunch hour !

[DinosaurSchool]

Thanks so much for the reply. I'm so glad being on the podium after the 800m was your highlight - I was one of the chanters

I totally support what the others have said about positive female role models. I have a baby daughter (after two boys) and I'm so glad that she's had you, Laura Trott, Jess Ennis, Kath Grainger etc etc etc as inspiration from the year she was born!

[AncientsOfMuMu]

Becky and Kay - great to talk to you both,thanks for answering my questions.

I understand that GB swimmers had to miss the opening ceremony of London2012. Did you mind and did you watch it on tv?!

please ignore the fact that this is my third question

[KayAdlington]

Hi everyone, just wanted to say I have had a great time answering your questions, hope the answers have helped.
Good luck to all of you in your chosen sports with your talented children.
Warmest wishes
Kay

[RebeccaAdlington]

Thank you all for your questions!! I hope i've answered them all if i havent take a look at the other ones i have answered as your question might of been asked by someone else!

Thank you again!

Bye, Becky x

[RebeccaAdlington]

@Solo

Hi Rebecca, no questions really, but just to say Congratulations!!! on London 2012 Olympics :)

Hello to Kay too :) you must be sooo proud

My 5yo is going to swimming lessons, but I have to say that I don't find it encouraging to watch a small trainer pool, halved down the middle by a rope and then up to 12 kids each side of that rope trying to learn to swim in 30 mins a week! it seems to be all about getting the most money out of parents these days. Not sure how kids are meant to get to your level Rebecca.

Thank you and i started that way and managed to go on! As long as they enjoy it they will want to keep doing it!!

Thanks

Becky

[KayAdlington]

@EnglishGirlApproximately

Blimey, I'm shocked that 50% of children can't swim I hope the Olympics can help to get more kids swimming.

I know, what a truly shocking fact.

[RebeccaAdlington]

@LaVitaBellissima

Non swimming related questions for Becky, I know you love your heels, which are your favourite pair and why?

Also swimming must really damage your hair do use lots of conditioner?

My favourite are Christian Louboutins and because there always beautiful and love the red soles!

I dont use lots of conditioner. I just use a hair mask/treatment once a week!

Thanks

becky

[RebeccaAdlington]

@TessOfTheBaublevilles

Hi Becky and Kay,

Firstly, I want to congratulate Becky on all that she has achieved so far in her swimming, she is a real inspiration to young girls.

My eldest son is almost 13, and a few years ago, he was selected for a school programme provided by one of the London rugby clubs. We were recently told, that after his 13th birthday, he will be "promoted" to the junior elite programme because of his enormous potential. Only those believed to be in with a real chance of playing professionally are moved into this programme.

Obviously we are thrilled for him, because he works so hard, and his dream is to play rugby for England.

We want to encourage and support him, but my husband and I also want to keep him grounded, and not to let this get to his head.

So my question is, do either Becky or Kay have any advice on how we can make sure our son stays grounded, while at the same time continue to encourage him?

Thanks
Tess

wow, firstly congratulations that amazing.

For me was great i had 2 sisters and my parents that wouldnt let me get big headed!! I think there will always be someone out there better so to keep encouraging but for him to know there will be someone out there working just as hard.

There is ups and downs in most people's career and im sure he will experience both but as long as he believes in himself and keeps enjoying it thats the main thing.

Good luck!

Becky

[KayAdlington]

@RebeccaAdlington

[quote noidles]
Hi Rebecca - I think you're fab. I'm not particularly sporty myself, but got TOTALLY swept up in the spirit of the Olympics and loved it. You really did us proud!

Anyway, I'm not sure if anyone else has mentioned this, but you obviously had to deal with a lot of sh*t from a bully comedian (who shall not be named!). I thought it was brilliant that you didn't take it lying down and fought back. I think it sets a great example to young people especially, that they can speak up when someone who is bigger and louder and saying not very nice things!

So my question is this, do you find it a bit weird and surreal that you get judged on how you look, when your career has nothing to do with your looks? You presumably didn't want to be a 'celebrity' and haven't courted publicity, and haven't invited criticism.

Kay - how did you deal with this? It must have been really upsetting.

Hope that wasn't too morbid a question.

hello

Thank you for saying that, very kind.

I think its all part of being in the public eye and being a female. unfortunately women get criticised for the way they look. I know it has nothing to do with my swimming ability which is good and i have to remember that!

It makes more what my family and friends think of me :-)

Thank you

Becky[/quote]

Hi great to hear from you and thanks for question.
My view is that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but at the end of the day it comes down to knowing the your family love you and if someone has an opinion that they feel they have to 'get out there for no apparent reason' well thats up to them. I don't let it upset me, because its not worth it.
Best wishes
Kay

[RebeccaAdlington]

@BartimaeusNeedsMoreSleep

Amazing job at the Olympics Rebecca.

As a pre-teen/young teen I used to swim at regional level, training 7 times a week plus galas.

Many of my friends and I had a real problem juggling swimming and school, as our schools wouldn't let us miss any classes (like say PE or art) in order to do the homework for more academic 'important' classes.

How did you manage school and swimming?

Do you think schools should be more supportive of young athletes and more flexible with their timetables/homework loads?

hello

Very good question and comments.

I was lucky i had a good understanding school that helped me balance it all out.

Was difficult i used to train in the morning and go straight to school then after school go straight to the pool again. I had 2 older sisters that used to help me with my homework and the school would send me work if i was away on a camp too.

Swimming has tutors that they send away with you when your on a camp to help you.

My school also let me drop a subject in order for me to swim and keep my other subjects up to a good standard.

I do think schools should help athletes or anyone who has a different hobby or interest outside of the school.

Thank you

Becky

[KayAdlington]

@EnglishGirlApproximately

Thanks for answering. I'm drowning teaching my baby to swim there so fingers crossed some of your magic will rub off :)

Hi there, I'm sure you are having a magical time in the warm waters of your local pool with your baby. So pleased to hear you are NOT going to be among the very high number of parents who don't think of teaching their children to swim. Have fun and enjoy. As baby gets older there are so great little toys that may help you to give baby confidence to progress.
Have a swimmingly great future with baby, all the best Kay

[RebeccaAdlington]

@AncientsOfMuMu

Hi Rebacca and Kay.

Thanks for answering my question - just off to order the steaks!

Can I be cheeky and ask another?!

Rebecca-you mentioned you are holding Swim Days. Are these going to be held in different parts of the country? Can you be bribed to come to our local 50m pool?

haha!! I've only ran 2 days in Derby so far. Maybe in the future i will!

Thank you

becky

[RebeccaAdlington]

@EnglishGirlApproximately

Blimey, I'm shocked that 50% of children can't swim I hope the Olympics can help to get more kids swimming.

me too!!!

[RebeccaAdlington]

@VLF99

Hi Rebecca and Kay

My daughter is a really keen swimmer - she's only 9 so has just started competing but has qualified for most events for her county championships next year.

Rebecca - you are her absolute idol - she has pictures of you all over her wall. It would make her day if you could say hello to her (Isabella) and give her any advice.

Thanks so much

hello isabella!!!

Really hope you enjoy swimming. Keep working hard. Good luck with it all. Sounds like your doing amazing and only 9 years old!! incredible

Good luck

Becky

[RebeccaAdlington]

@littlemrssleepy

Hello Rebecca and Kay

My son shows great promise at swimming. He got his 50m badge on the opening day of the 2012 Olympics at just 4 years of age. I shall keep the photo for my proud mum interview at the 2024 Olympics when I shall claim it must have been destiny If this continues, what ungodly time am I going to have to get up in the morning to take him to training?

haha!unfortunately you might unless you know a friend that you can share lifts with!!

Hes only 4 though so that a while off yet! Just enjoy it for you! Amazing achievement for him!

Thank you

Becky

[EnglishGirlApproximately]

Blimey, I'm shocked that 50% of children can't swim I hope the Olympics can help to get more kids swimming.