The third and final Swim England North East Para Regional Camp of the 2024/25 season took place on Sunday 13th April at Catterick Leisure Centre – and what a day it was!
A total of 32 para swimmers from across the region attended the camp, supported by over 30 parents in the classroom sessions. It was a fantastic turnout that showcased the strength and commitment within our North East Para Swimming community.
The coaching team on the day featured a wealth of experience and talent, including Head Coach Keith Hall (Richmond Dales ASC), Coach Ben Gilchrist (Richmond Dales ASC), Kylah Cowan (Richmond Dales ASC), Sue Thorpe (NST), and Terry Raddings (City of Wakefield), with invaluable assistance from Jake and Alyssa (Borough of Barnsley). We were also delighted to welcome guest coaches Alice Laird, Dean Hall, and Helen McDonnell, who brought fresh perspectives and expertise.
Team Manager duties for the day were expertly handled by Christina Roskilly, who helped ensure everything ran smoothly both poolside and behind the scenes.
One of the standout features of the camp was the presence of former double Olympian and double Commonwealth Games gold medallist Chris Cook, who delivered an inspiring and passionate talk about his journey through the sport. Chris spoke candidly about the highs and lows of his career, sharing insights into the mental resilience required to reach the top. His engaging and motivational delivery resonated strongly with the swimmers and parents alike, setting a positive tone for the rest of the day.
Chris later posted on LinkedIn:
“What a superb group of swimmers coming through the ranks at the Swim England North East Region Para Swim camp 👏🏻 To see swimmers, coaches and parents pulling in the same direction for a shared purpose, is exactly the culture that breeds that winner’s mindset.”
In response to feedback from swimmers earlier in the year, this camp placed a particular emphasis on improving Breaststroke technique; a stroke many of the athletes had identified as an area for development. Chris took one of the pool-based groups through a masterclass session, while the other group worked with the coaching team on incorporating reduced breathing strategies into their swimming.
In addition to the pool time, swimmers benefited from two engaging workshops led by Limitless Breath Coach Steffy Cappleman. The first workshop introduced the concept of functional breathing and CO2 tolerance—giving swimmers practical tools to improve their efficiency during training and racing. Techniques included breathing strategies to support better underwater phases and overall energy conservation.
The second session, held at the end of the day, focused on breathwork for mental preparation, specifically, calming techniques for managing pre-race nerves and activating strategies to energise the body before competition. These sessions provided swimmers with actionable methods to sharpen both their physical and mental game ahead of the British Junior National Para Championships in June.
The camp concluded with a high-energy relay takeover practice, reinforcing teamwork and race preparation in a fun, competitive setting.
These regional camps continue to offer para swimmers a holistic development experience, on land, in the classroom, and in the water. By providing access to expert coaching, motivational role models, and cutting-edge support strategies, we aim to equip each athlete with the tools they need to reach their full potential.
