Club Championships October 27th – 28th 2007

(Jacqui Taylor's notes to Development 2 squad - useful tips if you've not done competitions before)

All swimmers in Dev 2 have been entered for at least 4 events in the club championships on the weekend of the 27th and 28th October at Central Pool, Reading (200m f/s, 100m bk, 100m br, and 100m freestyle). Some swimmers have also been entered for additional events.

The following notes should help you:

1. Get to the pool in plenty of time. You should plan to be there 20 minutes earlier than the warm-up time for the events that you are in so that you can be ready for the warm-up. (Remember, there are limited parking spaces).
2. It is a cardless meet, so you need to sign in on the entry sheets in the swimming pool foyer at the beginning of each session to show that you are at the pool and planning to swim. Watch what everyone else is doing.
3. Bring a spare hat and goggles as usual, plus a spare towel and something to wear on pool side. A T-shirt is ideal - a club one if you have one, or if not, one in club colours: red, black! or white, or some combination of the three - not the one you are going home in!
4. It is hot on pool side, so bring at least one drink in a plastic drinks bottle full with water or diluted juice and a high carbohydrate snack such as pasta to eat when you have finished your swim in one session before the next one starts. Don’t eat just before you swim: no crisps or chocolates!
5. Don’t bring valuables - leave them at home. Don’t leave ANYTHING in the changing rooms. Put all your stuff in a bag, preferably a sports one, and bring it on to pool side or give it to your parents to look after. Inside your sports bag, have some plastic bags to put your wet things in so that they don’t make everything else wet. When you are not using your bag, close it.
6. Before and after you race, speak to me. I will tell you when to swim, and answer any questions you have!
7. Stay on the pool side all the time unless you ask permission to leave it. We will not come to look for you for your race.
8. If you are planning to leave the pool side during the competition, bring some trainers. You must not leave the pool side in bare feet .

The table below shows the events that swimmers have been entered for:

The most important thing about the club championships is that you should have fun and use the experience to learn from. If you have any questions about the weekend, please call me.

Jacqui

PS Please remember that our session at Bradfield on Saturday morning has been cancelled so that you can be rested for the races later in the weekend