Swim Coach and Partners - Hampshire

**keri.lewis** · July 1st, 2008, 03:10 PM

For the record - I hate swimming!

Swimming lengths is the only thing more boring than either weights or running!

Right - Rant over..

That said I guess I need to do more of it - and both a coach or a buddy make it easier to stay motivated and improve. Unfortunately the local leisure centre doesn't really offer much by way of coaching - and I can't make the commitment required by the local swim team.. So I am looking for help..

Anyone know a good coach in Hampshire? Prefer Southampton/Portsmouth - but will travel further.
Anyone interested in 1-2 swim sessions a week as buddies?

My standard is not that good - more brute-force and base-fitness than finesse.. I can get through the course swim tests - I just did 500M in 13 Minutes today when I tested - but I'd like to improve, and my running is somewhat curtailled by achillies tendon injuries so I need to keep the fitness going in non-impact ways.

Ideas?

GLOC · July 1st, 2008, 03:32 PM

Where are you Hampshire Keri?

Might take you up on this as I need some motivation. I am quite a good swimmer but I need someone to kick me up the arse and having a partner helps sometimes!!

Fleet myself.

**keri.lewis** · July 1st, 2008, 03:37 PM

I'm a couple of miles from Winchester - but M3 travel isn't taxing..

Need to get more organised - or the sessions just slip past!

Matt Gentile · July 1st, 2008, 03:44 PM

Keri,

Not to hijack your post but I'll be looking for a good coach in the Croydon Area if anyone can recommend one.

Matt

tobi · July 1st, 2008, 04:26 PM

Hi all,

Quote: (Originally Posted by keri.lewis)

For the record - I hate swimming!

[...] but I'd like to improve, and my running is somewhat curtailled by achillies tendon injuries so I need to keep the fitness going in non-impact ways.

Ideas?

In case you don't find a coach, but still get some pool time under your belt, you might find Swim training 2 sessions per week beginner. or Freestyle drill video or YouTube - Top Three Swim Drills useful - I did...

HTH, greets, tobi...

**keri.lewis** · July 1st, 2008, 05:54 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by tobi)

Hi all,

In case you don't find a coach, but still get some pool time under your belt, you might find Swim training 2 sessions per week beginner. or Freestyle drill video or YouTube - Top Three Swim Drills useful - I did...

HTH, greets, tobi...

Thanks Tobi

I had seen the threads - but it's not what I'm really after... it's the people interaction that's essential for me. If I liked swimming it would be easier to drag my carcass to the pool.. There is NO WAY I want to do 2000M of swimming.. it's hard enough to run for an hour without losing interest - but at least the scenery changes

The youtube is interesting.. will watch it again and try to figure out what I can use.

Thanks for the data - I'll keep trying.. maybe an equivalent of the club dip is worth setting up if I can get a group together. It'd also make it easier to get a coach involved. The trouble is that I can't be guaranteed to hit the dates as I travel for work..

Anyone other than GLOC interested in getting in the pool?

*Clare Gledhill* · July 1st, 2008, 06:00 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by keri.lewis)

Anyone other than GLOC interested in getting in the pool?

Yes - I'm midway between the two of you in Basingstoke and always in need of motivation to get to the pool.

OkiMike · July 2nd, 2008, 03:53 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by keri.lewis)

Anyone other than GLOC interested in getting in the pool?

Absolutely! (If you don't mind flying to Japan).

I just started about 3 weeks ago and love my little 30 minutes of pool time each day.

tkoritz · July 2nd, 2008, 04:53 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by keri.lewis)

Thanks Tobi

I had seen the threads - but it's not what I'm really after... it's the people interaction that's essential for me. If I liked swimming it would be easier to drag my carcass to the pool.. There is NO WAY I want to do 2000M of swimming.. it's hard enough to run for an hour without losing interest - but at least the scenery changes

The youtube is interesting.. will watch it again and try to figure out what I can use.

Thanks for the data - I'll keep trying.. maybe an equivalent of the club dip is worth setting up if I can get a group together. It'd also make it easier to get a coach involved. The trouble is that I can't be guaranteed to hit the dates as I travel for work..

Anyone other than GLOC interested in getting in the pool?

Are there Masters programs over there? If so, you may want to consider that. It will ensure doing the workouts with others, and depending on the coach, they can make a huge difference on your technique, which in turn, makes everything less frustrating and more enjoyable. I'm in year 2 of a Masters program and wish I started 10 years ago. I run a lot too, but swimming is so much easier on the joints.

FWIW....

jerry.mobbs · July 2nd, 2008, 08:55 AM

Keri,

Some food for thought...

What are you swimming for?

If its to improve your swimming times in the GUE test, or waltz around the pool in front of school kids in a set of speedos, then join a swim club. ;-)

If its to get/stay fit, then remember that swimming fitness has very little carryover to other non swimming sports. This is why Lance Armstrong kicks ass on a bike, but can "only" run a marathon in 3 hours... Cardio vascular endurance is highly modal specific

If you want to develop swimming ability that may be useful in a 'stuck out at sea' scenario, then endless laps of a pool is the wrong thing to do.

If your at sea and you have to swim for it, your best option is to learn the combat swimmers side s-t-r-o-k-e with fins and mask on. This style will allow you to cover long distances with mask fins AND a drysuit. You can forget front crawl or breast s-t-r-o-k-e with a drysuit on. It gets very ugly after about 100m

The cardio vascular benefit of learning this s-t-r-o-k-e will be equal to doing laps of front crawl and may actually come in useful one day.

Hope this helps

July 1st, 2008, 03:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
keri.lewis(Offline) Back in the water.. Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Hampshire Posts: 386	Swim Coach and Partners - Hampshire For the record - I hate swimming! Swimming lengths is the only thing more boring than either weights or running! Right - Rant over.. That said I guess I need to do more of it - and both a coach or a buddy make it easier to stay motivated and improve. Unfortunately the local leisure centre doesn't really offer much by way of coaching - and I can't make the commitment required by the local swim team.. So I am looking for help.. Anyone know a good coach in Hampshire? Prefer Southampton/Portsmouth - but will travel further. Anyone interested in 1-2 swim sessions a week as buddies? My standard is not that good - more brute-force and base-fitness than finesse.. I can get through the course swim tests - I just did 500M in 13 Minutes today when I tested - but I'd like to improve, and my running is somewhat curtailled by achillies tendon injuries so I need to keep the fitness going in non-impact ways. Ideas? __________________ Even a "bad" day diving beats a day in the office... Keri The more I learn.. the more ignorant I realise I am..

July 1st, 2008, 03:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
GLOC (Online) Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Fleet, Hants Posts: 1,963	Where are you Hampshire Keri? Might take you up on this as I need some motivation. I am quite a good swimmer but I need someone to kick me up the arse and having a partner helps sometimes!! Fleet myself. __________________ Gareth Images of Life Photography DIR Team Foxturd Travels Underwater and Further Afar If you don't have the time to do something right, where are you going to find the time to fix it? - Stephen King

July 1st, 2008, 03:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
keri.lewis(Offline) Back in the water.. Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Hampshire Posts: 386	I'm a couple of miles from Winchester - but M3 travel isn't taxing.. Need to get more organised - or the sessions just slip past! __________________ Even a "bad" day diving beats a day in the office... Keri The more I learn.. the more ignorant I realise I am..

July 1st, 2008, 05:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
keri.lewis(Offline) Back in the water.. Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Hampshire Posts: 386	Quote: (Originally Posted by tobi) Hi all, In case you don't find a coach, but still get some pool time under your belt, you might find Swim training 2 sessions per week beginner. or Freestyle drill video or YouTube - Top Three Swim Drills useful - I did... HTH, greets, tobi... Thanks Tobi I had seen the threads - but it's not what I'm really after... it's the people interaction that's essential for me. If I liked swimming it would be easier to drag my carcass to the pool.. There is NO WAY I want to do 2000M of swimming.. it's hard enough to run for an hour without losing interest - but at least the scenery changes The youtube is interesting.. will watch it again and try to figure out what I can use. Thanks for the data - I'll keep trying.. maybe an equivalent of the club dip is worth setting up if I can get a group together. It'd also make it easier to get a coach involved. The trouble is that I can't be guaranteed to hit the dates as I travel for work.. Anyone other than GLOC interested in getting in the pool? __________________ Even a "bad" day diving beats a day in the office... Keri The more I learn.. the more ignorant I realise I am..

July 1st, 2008, 06:00 PM	#7 (permalink)
Clare Gledhill(Offline) GUE Instructor Site Admin Pacman Champion! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,541	Quote: (Originally Posted by keri.lewis) Anyone other than GLOC interested in getting in the pool? Yes - I'm midway between the two of you in Basingstoke and always in need of motivation to get to the pool. __________________ Clare . "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions....Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too can become great." Interested in DIR dive training? Always happy to chat/answer questions so get in touch via PM or visit www.dirdiver.co.uk

July 1st, 2008, 03:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
Matt Gentile(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Norwood Posts: 182	Keri, Not to hijack your post but I'll be looking for a good coach in the Croydon Area if anyone can recommend one. Matt

July 1st, 2008, 04:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
tobi(Offline) New Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 40	Hi all, Quote: (Originally Posted by keri.lewis) For the record - I hate swimming! [...] but I'd like to improve, and my running is somewhat curtailled by achillies tendon injuries so I need to keep the fitness going in non-impact ways. Ideas? In case you don't find a coach, but still get some pool time under your belt, you might find Swim training 2 sessions per week beginner. or Freestyle drill video or YouTube - Top Three Swim Drills useful - I did... HTH, greets, tobi...

July 2nd, 2008, 03:53 AM	#8 (permalink)
OkiMike(Offline) New Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Okinawa, Japan Posts: 77	Quote: (Originally Posted by keri.lewis) Anyone other than GLOC interested in getting in the pool? Absolutely! (If you don't mind flying to Japan). I just started about 3 weeks ago and love my little 30 minutes of pool time each day. __________________ "Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now."

July 2nd, 2008, 04:53 AM	#9 (permalink)
tkoritz(Offline) GUE Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tokyo, Japan Posts: 19	Quote: (Originally Posted by keri.lewis) Thanks Tobi I had seen the threads - but it's not what I'm really after... it's the people interaction that's essential for me. If I liked swimming it would be easier to drag my carcass to the pool.. There is NO WAY I want to do 2000M of swimming.. it's hard enough to run for an hour without losing interest - but at least the scenery changes The youtube is interesting.. will watch it again and try to figure out what I can use. Thanks for the data - I'll keep trying.. maybe an equivalent of the club dip is worth setting up if I can get a group together. It'd also make it easier to get a coach involved. The trouble is that I can't be guaranteed to hit the dates as I travel for work.. Anyone other than GLOC interested in getting in the pool? Are there Masters programs over there? If so, you may want to consider that. It will ensure doing the workouts with others, and depending on the coach, they can make a huge difference on your technique, which in turn, makes everything less frustrating and more enjoyable. I'm in year 2 of a Masters program and wish I started 10 years ago. I run a lot too, but swimming is so much easier on the joints. FWIW....

July 2nd, 2008, 08:55 AM	#10 (permalink)
jerry.mobbs(Offline) New Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: asia Posts: 288	Keri, Some food for thought... What are you swimming for? If its to improve your swimming times in the GUE test, or waltz around the pool in front of school kids in a set of speedos, then join a swim club. ;-) If its to get/stay fit, then remember that swimming fitness has very little carryover to other non swimming sports. This is why Lance Armstrong kicks ass on a bike, but can "only" run a marathon in 3 hours... Cardio vascular endurance is highly modal specific If you want to develop swimming ability that may be useful in a 'stuck out at sea' scenario, then endless laps of a pool is the wrong thing to do. If your at sea and you have to swim for it, your best option is to learn the combat swimmers side s-t-r-o-k-e with fins and mask on. This style will allow you to cover long distances with mask fins AND a drysuit. You can forget front crawl or breast s-t-r-o-k-e with a drysuit on. It gets very ugly after about 100m The cardio vascular benefit of learning this s-t-r-o-k-e will be equal to doing laps of front crawl and may actually come in useful one day. Hope this helps __________________ -------------------- www.crossfit.com The DIR of Fitness