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.
