Coaches report from Cardiff:
Cardiff camp this year got off to a great start at Redpoint Bristol Climbing Centre. The swimmers enjoyed the morning so much they didn't realise how much their arms hurt... until they got to the pool. The weekend of swimming kicked off with the now famous Gloucester Blocks set, with the younger swimmers putting in the best performance. After an all you can eat buffet and an early night (for some) we were back at the pool for a testing IM set. Again the young swimmers outperformed the old, showing their determination throughout. After lunch the swimmers had some time to go through a goal setting exercise, with SMART short and long term goals discussed. There was also space for a "Dream Goal" which revealed some interesting aspirations. This included winning an Olympic gold medal, becoming a coach, and even just wanting to always enjoy swimming. Reading through these after was both inspiring and humbling. After the goal setting exercise came the physical exercise of zumba, an experience enjoyed by both swimmers and chaperones.
Finally the older swimmers got warmed up and had a chance to shine in the afternoon speed set. Lanes were reshuffled and everyone was pushing themselves, racing in waves against each other. Another well deserved all you can eat buffet followed, and the evening of bowling and arcade games proved it's better to be lucky than skilled (I'm not at all bitter about coming second). The next morning was arguably the hardest session, when swimmers were already tired they were confronted with the longest set of the weekend. However they rose to the challenge, with impressive swims all round. After lunch and a short relaxation session (where only a few of the swimmers fell asleep) it was time for the chaperones and coaches to get wet in the relay session. After some closely contested races (and one questionable decision on a race winner) lane 1 proved victorious, rounding off 3 days of hard work. An hour in the fun pool, getting slightly lost on the way to Toby Carvery, yet another large meal, and a short prize giving later saw the end of another Cardiff camp.
In summary, over 15km swam and over 10 tons of food eaten (may be a slight exaggeration there) made up the best swimming camp I've been on. I would just like to congratulate all of the swimmers on their performance, and thank the chaperones for their help and support over the weekend. Without you none of this could have happened.
Ashley
Coaches report from Spain
The camp began with an unfortunate delay at the airport due to bristols foggy weather. With a £3 meal ticket in hand all the swimmers took it in their stride and patiently waited, with the occasional 50 press ups for bottle flips.
With a short transfer from the airport to the hotel, it was check in, dinner and bed. We were all awaken by a little ray of sunshine (Jasmine Stone) who got the unfortunate job of morning wake ups.
The leisure centre was just a short walk down the road. With a 50m pool, gym and studio, the facility was perfect for the hard work that laid ahead.
The first session was a test set to check the starting level of fitness, followed by a land session. The afternoon started with another land session which consisted of 30min run across the beach and up to a view point (lots of stairs) on the cliffs . The afternoon swim session was distance IM to swim out the tired legs.
Monday started with a PB+ session focusing on speed maintenance and efficiency. This led to a relaxation and core session of land training which was well needed by all. Unfortunately for the swimmers it was 80x100 in the afternoon with was both a mental and physical battle.
Tuesday was a day off from the pool but was substituted with two land sessions. The first was shuttle runs up and down the beach whilst another group swam out to the five knot marker and back. The second session consisted of another run (up stairs). This time the session was on the opposite side of the bay. These were no ordinary stairs with a very steep incline that led around the back of the castle and up the cliff, each swimmer had to complete the set 10 times. Daniel 'the mountain goat' Ahmed came out on top after bouncing up every step.
Wednesday morning was a nice easy start into 10x400 threshold main set. Land training back down onto the beach. The day was finished off with a fly set back in the pool and what can only be described as one of the funniest talent contests of my life. Top award went to Josh but all performances were top class. Thursdays first training session was the repeat test set from the beginning of the week with the rest of the day spend down on the beach. The day was finished off with another pool session, dinner and presentations.
Top trainer boy - Jack Smith
Top trainer Girl- Ella Theobald
Most entertaining- Josh Keepin
Stupidest moment - Joel Williams
Most determined - Olivia Allen
The final day brought relays in the pool and a final land session down on the beach. The swimmers managed just over 47k, given the difficulty of the sessions both in and out of the pool all swimmers exceeded themselves.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the chaperones, coaches and swimmers for making this a trip to remember. I am very proud to be a coach of such a great club.
Jon Wills
