The first North East Regional Para-Swimming Camp of the 2024-2025 season took place on Sunday 1st December, at Catterick Leisure Centre. The event brought together 20 para-swimmers from across the region, including several first-time participants, for a day of skill development, inspiration, and camaraderie.
The day began with a warm welcome and an overview of the schedule, followed by introductions to the dedicated coaching staff. The athletes then headed to the sports hall for a strength and conditioning session led by Callum Hall from Richmond Dales ASC.
Strength and Conditioning Focus
During the session, swimmers honed their pre-pool exercise routines, emphasising full-body preparation in alignment with the RMAP (Regional Movement and Preparation) principles. This helped ensure the athletes were primed for the demands of their swimming sessions.
After a short break, the athletes embraced team spirit through a seated bench ball tournament. Split into three teams, the swimmers showcased their competitive edge and teamwork. The enthusiasm was contagious as coaches joined in, creating a lively and inclusive atmosphere.
Inspiration from Paralympic Champion Faye Rogers
The swimmers then enjoyed a well-deserved snack and an inspiring classroom session led by Paralympic champion Faye Rogers. Faye shared her journey of transitioning from an able-bodied performance swimmer to overcoming significant challenges as a classified para swimmer.
Through an engaging slideshow, Faye offered a glimpse into her experiences at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, including living away from home and building bonds with her teammates. The swimmers had the opportunity to ask Faye questions, with thoughtful and insightful queries showing their eagerness to learn from her remarkable story.
Technique, Starts, and Turns in the Pool
Fueled by Faye’s motivational session, the athletes moved to the pool for a two-hour training session. Led by Callum Hall and Kylah Cowan (Richmond Dales), Terry Raddings (City of Wakefield), Sue Thorpe (Newcastle Swim Team), and Assistant Coach Alyssa (Borough of Barnsley), the session focused on medley stroke techniques and drills during the first hour. The second hour emphasized dive starts, backstroke starts, and turn practice.
A Memorable Finish
To cap off the day, swimmers returned upstairs for another opportunity to interact with Faye. They admired her medal, took photos, and even had their kit signed, leaving the event inspired and energized for the season ahead.
A huge thank you to all the coaching staff and Team Manager Chris Roskilly for their hard work in making the day a resounding success.
Looking Ahead
The next North East Regional Para-Swimming Camp will take place on Sunday 26th January 2025. We look forward to another fantastic day of development and inspiration.
Keep an eye on our website for updates and opportunities to get involved!
