S.T.A. Swim Specific Coaching Weekend

Lynn and I arrived in Aberfeldy around 9 am on Saturday (after a short detour, via John O’ groats)! There was a short introduction where we meet the coaches and they meet there motley crew that they were to lick into shape. The coaches had to turn all us flounders into bullets of the blue in 48 hours what a headache. Introductions over and it was all go! go! go!

The words quiet! Action! sprang to mind not swim coaching as the first of two sessions of filming started. Everyone was filmed individually, top, bottom, front and back if you can think of an angle they covered it, all that was missing was a star on the changing room door. No time to enjoy our new found stardom; we were off to the gym for circuit training. Then a light lunch of soup and sandwiches and a well earned rest.

The initial analysis of our stroke technique, comparisons were made with the Clyde paddle steamer and a Mississippi steamboat! After due criticism, (which we took on board), highlighted in the S.T.A. version of the film The Titanic, the most common fault was stroke technique. The afternoon swim session was tailored to correct the stoke faults that had been picked up on, with specific drills and plenty of poolside coaching. Then as previously there was a circuit in the gym.

Coaching finished for the day we had some freetime, we quickly got changed and headed off to find our B&B and it was a race (not competitive mind) to see who would get the bottom bunk, I won! We had a three course dinner at the digs which washed down with a few beverages was just perfect. Sportingly I gave Lynn a helping hand because she had problems climbing up into her bed after a few drinks.

Sunday wakened at 7 am by our alarm clocks slightly hungover and you guessed back to the pool for a pre-breakfast swim. The rest morning was spent in the lecture theatre where we were divided up into small groups and asked to set out a training schedule for a forthcoming open water event. Lunch and back in the water for out final swim session which was to emulate open water conditions. We did this by swimming around the perimeter of the pool it was tougher than it sounds and very demanding.

Finally there was a choice in the afternoon either a run or a bike session. Lynn and I both chose the bike session; Lynn’s navigational prowess enabled us to complete the course in record time, even after a short detour to Inverness!

The weekend was excellent on all counts; enthusiastic coaches, good feedback and I would recommend it to any standard of swimmer

Linda Malcolm