MESSAGE FROM OUR HEAD COACH – Mick Evans
I thought it would be useful to send out a bit of information about the types of training equipment that swimmers require for Inter A sessions .There are various items of equipment that we use in drills and sets, all to try to improve the swimmers techniques across all four strokes. Having these items is their kit bags at all times will enable them to complete the sets, and hopefully continue to progress.
As with any equipment, the price varies (and highest cost is not always the best), so I’d just encourage you to purchase what you can, but try to use swim equipment providers. I normally use Proswimwear, or Allens of Kingsbury websites, but there are others.
Equipment:
Goggles – obvious one, but can you ask the swimmers to always have a back up pair in their bags, in case of breakages during training / galas.
Caps – Again, down to individuals, but it does help protect hair from chlorine
Pull buoys – helps swimmers develop their pull stroke as it holds body in streamline position. loads of different types, I’d recommend basic pull buoys.
Fins – helps build ankle strength, promotes body position, and enables “overspeed” sets. Again, style is down to swimmer, just make sure they are swim fins, and not diving fins.
Snorkels – great piece of kit to enable swimmers to focus on hand and arm positioning. Again, make sure they are swimming snorkel (e.g. position in centre of face) and not what you get on your hols to go in the sea with.
Ankle bands – useful with pull sets to focus on upper body
kick boards – loads of types, but basic ones are Ok.
Paddles – great to promote good hand entry and gain a “feel” for the water (helps to focus on hand “catch” prior to pull phase of the stroke). Make sure you buy the relevant size for the swimmer, with the focus on not buying too large. If anything, the younger swimmers are OK with just finger paddles if their hands are small.
Jammers / Swim suits – again, there are hundreds of different types, with a wide cost choice. I do recommend that all swimmers should have a separate “race suit” to the one that they use in training (unfortunately race suits are normally the most expensive ones). I’d just recommend you buy what you can afford, and for the level of the swimmers. Again, in galas especially, it’s always good to have a back up set, even if this is just your training equipment (I’ve been at galas where swimmers have ripped their suit just prior to a race).
I’ve attached some examples of equipment (just snap shots from pro-swimwear). I’m not just recommending these, but I wanted to show some pictures!
Also, as we approach the end of the season, I was thinking of doing a communication event with swimmers parents / guardians. I did one last year to explain a bit about our training plans, aims, nutrition, and how parents can help, and this seemed to go well. Can you let me know if you’re interested in doing a similar event again (it will probably be via Zoom).