Last week we previewed some swim training and instruction that was arranged at the Sports Centre for Wednesday of this week. As I had been promising myself (but always finding good reasons why today was not a good time) that I would start exercising again to try and remove a large amount of extra weight and regain some fitness, it seemed a good idea to go along.
There were two sessions: the first was for children and principally conducted by Hazel Fulker, with her usual ability to convey her enthusiasm and sense of fun to them, while at the same time making them work hard at their swimming. There were kids of all standards, from some who were still gaining confidence in the water to others who were preparing for a first junior triathlon, and watching them practice deep water triathlon starts, their skills and swimming ability were impressive. The fact that some of them were reluctant to believe, at the end, that their hour was up, goes to demonstrate the success and quality of the instruction.
Then it was the turn of the adults. There were five of us – three women and two men – and we had the undivided attention of not just Hazel, but also of Dean Baker, the coach for 1066 Swimming Club and Claire, the swimming instructor from the Sports Centre.
With such an array of teaching talent, I was more than a little nervous that my lack of fitness (other than a little tennis, I have done no exercise for a couple of years) would not only show, but would mean that I would be well and truly left behind by the others.
I need not have worried.
We were first asked to swim a couple of lengths in our own time so that our standard could be assessed and the correct level of instruction given. In fact all of us (even me, despite probably giving the impression of a whale in distress) were competent swimmers so this short distance (50 metres) presented no difficulty, but it would not have mattered if it had been a problem – the coaches would simply have adjusted their instruction accordingly. Thereafter we all went through the same drills and exercises with encouragement and corrections where necessary and before we knew it, our hour was up and it was time to finish.
Was it worth doing – absolutely yes. I arrived back home feeling tired but really good, a feeling that is still with me as I am writing this, the following morning. More sessions will be organised in the New Year and I would recommend anyone to come and have a go. It’s fun, healthy and the endorphins released by the exercise are the best feel-good drug you could wish for.
Photos: John Minter
Photos: John Minter