Record Breaking!

I think last night must have been the most we have ever had in a Tuesday session, maybe in any session ever?!

Training can be tough when there's 8 of you per lane. Training in large groups comes with some getting used to, but I always enjoyed the busy sessions rather than the empty ones. It comes with a better atmosphere which helps everyone train better, and of course means theres more people to talk to!

But please remember your lane discipline. The person swimming has priority, in every case. So, if you arent swimming or turning - then get out of the way. Check before you do anything else that could disrupt another swimmer.

See you all later tonight for some more technique!

Coach Rob

Land Training

Land Training will commence as of Monday 12th May after the normal swim session. For the first week, we'll go for 30 minutes from when everyone in outside and ready - so the quicker you change, the quicker you can get home!

Just like the extra 30 minutes on Tuesdays for the older swimmers - this is a compulsory addition to your training. If you aren't allowed to stay then you need to make sure your parent's speak to me!

This will hopefully be a fun but tough extra bit of training that will be a good step up in everyone's training regime.

Make sure you bring good, proper footwear, a tshirt and a pair of shorts. It'll be on the grass or car park near the boys pool, dependant on weather, but fingers crossed for the sunshine! We will not cancel if it is raining, so bring something you dont mind getting a bit wet.

Dont forget the photo on this night too!

Coach Rob 

Racing Suits

I'd just like to make it clear to ALL swimmers that it is NOT expected of you wear the expensive, fancy racing suits that you may see your competitors or older swimmers wearing.

They make a fraction of a second difference over races and are designed for that extra edge at the elite level. Please Please Please save your parents the money and wait until you have at least made a regional qualifying time. 

On the other hand, I have seen some swimmers, boys in particular racing in shorts that I could probably squeeze into! All you need is a separate costume set aside for races that is maybe one or two sizes smaller than what you would train in to keep it nice and tight!

Feel free to chat to me if there are any questions. 

Coach Rob

The days are counting...

After today, just 12 days will remain until the next round of the Junior League!

There was a good turnout this morning, and I want to see record breaking numbers to sessions over the next two weeks! Don't think of it as doing it for yourself - but for the TEAM!

If you aren't competing, then you need to be getting yourself to training to make sure that one day soon you could be!

I'm extremely excited about the next round, and after the performance last time we should be showing the other teams exactly how its done.

On a slightly different note, I would like to arrange another team photo. This time it will be of all of you guys in the pool gathered around the blocks at the deep end. I'm going to get it printed and then hopefully have as many of you sign it as possible for me to remember you for years and years to come.

I'm proposing Monday the 12th of May in two weeks time so hopefully everyone can make it!

See you all tomorrow,

Coach Rob

Video Analysis

I will now be offering some video analysis feedback using 'Coach's Eye' technology . This will consist of a 5 minute filming session at the end of a session. 

I propose to offer an analysis video available to the swimmer, for any combination of the 4 strokes, starts and turns. 

Videos would typically last 15 minutes for each stroke, and would be charged at £20 each, and reduced rates for multiple videos. 

I'll put some information on the notice board, and feel free to check out the technology online - just search it in google.

Come and have a chat if anyone's interested or wants to know more! 

Coach Rob

Junior League Round 2

The next round of the Junior League will be on the 10th of May at Stechford Cascades. Please arrive for 1730 for a 1800 warm up. Same drill as before, everyone should know what's what by now!

I want to see EVERYONE in Orion kit, specifically swim caps - even all the boys. Also feel free to think outside the box -  purple pom poms, purple face paint etc etc. Lets make our appearance as good as our swimming! 

In light of this, make sure you're putting in the training. Those Easter eggs will need a bit of burning off! 

I'm very excited to see what we can do this time, with an even stronger team! Let's go for the win... 

Coach Rob

Good Luck this Weekend!

Good luck to everyone swimming at the City of Birmingham open this weekend! Ian and Carl will be there to make sure you all get the job done. 

Remember who will be watching, and make sure you continue to act and behave the way you have all been doing recently. Lets continue to be the team that the others look at and think ''that's what we should be doing...''

Feel free to let me know how you've done, but I will be doing my best to keep up to date regardless. 

Coach Rob

A big Thank You and a little inspiration for the week...

First of all, thank you all so much for the birthday card! I cant even remember telling any of you guys it was my birthday so it was a great surprise. 

Secondly, please take a look at the link below to watch some of the swimming from the British Championships 10th-15th April. No doubt there will be huge display of talent that will be great to watch!

Enjoy your Easter break but don't forget to train! You'll only make it harder for yourselves later on. Keep up the momentum and I will see you all a week Monday.

http://www.swimming.org/live/british-gas-swimming-championships-2014

Coach Rob

Training during Easter

I understand lots of you will now be starting your Easter holidays, and whilst of course I am sure most of you will have lots of activities and adventures planned, it is important to take this opportunity to get some extra training whilst you can!

The school holidays are a great time to get in an extra session or two each week. It's little differences like this that will add up over time and help you on your way to reaching your potential - whatever that may be! The funny thing is, no one ever really knows what that is... Who knows what you will all become in 10 years time?

This weeks morning session will be the last one for two weeks until it recommences after easter. It would be great to see as many faces as possible!!

Coach Rob

5000 Views!

The blog has today reached a total of 5000 views! Thank you all for checking back to the blog to keep up to date on news and events. Hopefully its a tool you all find useful!

Coach Rob

Junior League Round 1

A very good start to the league indeed!

The final points were:

1st - Rugby 230
2nd - Orion 214
3rd - Coalville 186
4th - Wombourne 176
5th - Fox Hollies 141
6th - Driotwhich 105

As you can see, we finished with a very strong second place, not far behind first. We had some excellent swims, with quite a few of the races being won by up to half a length!

The team spirit was good with lots of cheering and support including parents - but it could be better! I was also very impressed with how more and more of you swimmers are starting to get into the habit of warming up properly before races.

Well done to all of those who had their first gala tonight too - always a daunting experience but hopefully along with lots of fun.

I'd also like to congratulate Rosa for doing a great job as Captain!

Swimmers of the Night:

Stefan Davies and Ella Blythe.

Thanks to the Orion officials of Pippa Sibbald-Perkins, Loz and Angie Miller. Special thanks as always to Clara Day and Karen Watson for their poolside help.

Ian apologises for those he went to the wrong post code!

Keep your diaries free for the next round - 10th May. Keep up the good work, keep training hard and lets make the next one a first!

See you Monday,

Coach Rob

More Swimmers Needed!

We would like to try and get as many swimmers into the Junior Squad a spossible. In particular we would like to see some more boys!

So - If you have any friends who are swimmers, or are learning to swim invite them to Orion! They can organinse a free trial by contacting this address: freetrial@orionswimmingclub.co.uk

Coach Rob

City of Birmingham Selection

I am extremely proud to announce that Imogen Viney and Ruby Couzens have been succesful in their trial at City of Birmingham and have been selected to join the squad at the end of the month!

Their first trial session went well, but was certainly a huge challenge. After the warm up, they had 20x50 max kick which they both kept up on despite being the 2 youngest in the pool. By the end of session I think they had done nearly 2000m kick!

They were then invited back for a second trial on the Friday, which unfortunately I couldn't attend. They had continued to impress however and were offered the place at the end of that session.

They were noted for having some of the best land training technique too, which was very good to see.

Of the 24 (I think) swimmers in the CoB Junior Squad, 5 are now Orion swimmers. This is a huge acheivement for the relatively small club that we are, and true testament to the quality of teaching available to all of the younger swimmers.

Hopefully this will serve as some inspiration and motivation to all you other swimmers. CoB is not some distant, unacheivable 'super team'. Hard work, focus and consistency can make anything possible.

Coach Rob