PROGRESSION THROUGH THE CLUB

On joining the Club, a child who is unable to swim will start in the small pool at Bradford-on-Avon at the 6.30 pm session, where concentration is on building up water confidence. Progression will be to the 7.00 pm session and then onto the 7.30 pm session, the rate of transfer through the sessions obviously being dependent on the child’s ability and on the rate of learning.

By the time the child leaves the small pool at Bradford-on-Avon, a sufficient level of water confidence will have been gained to enable unaided movement through the water. Progression from the small pool to the large pool (Wednesday 6.30 pm) requires an ability to swim 25 metres adequately in three of the four strokes and to push and glide under water from the side. The move to the larger size pool, longer session and a concentration on stroke work at this stage is designed to develop style/technique and build up stamina in parallel with the mental and physical capabilities of the growing child.

Junior Squad

Progression from the large pool at Bradford-on-Avon is to the Junior Squad on Sunday evening (6.30 - 8.00 pm) at Trowbridge pool. Here, we seek to improve on the progress which has been gained up to that point. By this session, water time is also increased to one and a half hours. Stroke work continues to be a major feature here, but by this time these should be sufficiently developed to allow an increased amount of distance and stamina work. Progression at this session is through the lanes, again, the rate being dependent on the swimmer’s ability and speed of learning.

As a supplement to the Sunday session, there is a session on Saturday (7.30 - 8.30 am) at Trowbridge Pool.

Main Squad

From the Sunday evening session, a swimmer will normally progress to the main squad session at Trowbridge Pool between 6.00 and 8.30 pm on a Tuesday. The first half hour of this session is given to land training, where we concentrate on building up and strengthening the muscles used in swimming; the remaining two hours is pool time.

Both the Junior and Senior squad sessions are structured to competition and are delivered with events in mind such as the Wiltshire winter and summer leagues, Open Meets, County, District and National Competitions as appropriate.

Additional training for both squads is available on Fridays (6.00-800 pm) and Sundays (9.00 - 11.00 am) at Bath University . This provides the 50 metre training necessary to fully develop a competitive swimmer’s ability. Further sessions for squad swimmers are available on Mondays 6.30 - 8.30 pm at Dauntsey’s School and on Fridays at both the Trowbridge Pool and at Bath University.

Squad members may be invited to join West Wilts Force Five and/or bath University Age Group Squad

Recreational Swimming

A further session is held at Trowbridge Pool (8.00 - 9.00 pm) on Sunday evening. This is mainly for squad swimming, but one of the lanes is available for recreational swimming. Recreational swimmers can swim in a leisurely but more structured manner than is offered by a public session. A coach is on hand to assist with stroke technique and/or advise on any other aspect of swimming as required.

Child Assessment

A child with some swimming ability on joining the Club, will be assessed by the Chief Coach and slotted into the sessions appropriate to his/her ability.

Click here to view a graphical representation of the progressive stages through the Club.