The fourth and final North East Regional Para-swimming camp for the 2023-2024 season took place on Sunday 14th April at Catterick Leisure Centre. We had 16 swimmers from the region in attendance and the timetable was packed once again.
The day started with a strength and conditioning session led by Jay Manners – the Region’s volunteer intern.
Jay has had 16 incredible years of competitive swimming, he exceeded his aspirations by reaching Olympic Trials and making finals, he very recently retired from swimming, lucky for us he remains in our sport and is coaching within our region as a fully qualified Swim England Senior Coach..
The hour-long land session started with the athletes focusing on shoulder strengthening using therabands, then the swimmers worked in teams around a high intensity circuit session to do as many reps as possible in a given time. The athletes were supported by the coaching team throughout the session. There was plenty of learning for the coaches, learning about adaptations in land training for swimmers with different and varying impairments. The athletes worked incredibly hard and took a lot of information away with them.
Jay then led a classroom session and talked about nutrition and how it is critical for peak performance, hydration and the threat to swimmers ability to perform before, during and after training if they are not properly hydrated. The swimmers really engaged and enjoyed this session and once again took plenty of information away with them.
Sufficiently refuelled and hydrated the swimmers headed for a 2-hour pool session led by Lead Coach Keith Hall (Richmond Dales), supported by Jay (Derwentside), Development Coach Zoe Cowan (Richmond) and Assistant Coaches Kylah Cowan (Richmond), Gary Nicholson (Darlington), Jake Roberts (Borough of Barnsley) & Alyssa Warren (Borough of Barnsley).
After an initial warm up, the session focused on key areas for development, mainly dive starts, underwater phases, turn skills and relay takeovers. The swimmers then participated in freestyle and medley relays to practice the skills they had learned in a race environment. Some of the classified swimmers will be able to participate in relays in June at the upcoming Junior Para Nationals in Coventry.
Lead Coach Keith Hall said
“The swimmers at all four of the camps this year have progressed immensely over the season. We have been delighted with the numbers attending and with the progress they have made. Our region Para swimmers have a great opportunity to train and bond with their teammates at these sessions which is then carried over into the competitions they enter.
This season we have seen an increase in coaches from around the region, asking to get involved with the camps. This is fantastic and I would encourage coaches from all clubs who want to learn more about Para swimming, adaptations, land training and the classification process, to get in touch and come along to the camps.
Finally I would like to thank all of the athletes, parent / carers, Team Managers, Coaches and assistants who have helped and supported this seasons programme for giving up their commitment and hard work. I really do hope you have enjoyed the sessions and I look forward to welcoming you again next season.”
