Who needs what, when

Teaching Programme

In the teaching programme, all you need is the hat. One is supplied by the programme; replacements can be purchased from the training programme (not the club shop) if needed.

Sometimes swimmers from the Training programme swim in the Thames Valley Junior League, or other club events.  However, they are not expected to provide club colours - although if you can get a black costume, preferably with some red in it, that's fine.

Training Programme

On entry to the training programme, you'll need the Club Hat, a kick board, and a pull buoy.  Use Silicone hats at competitions in preference to latex - they are a few pounds more expensive, however, some people prefer to train in the latex hats. Other highly recommended items are the wet bag, in which you store these items, wet, and you (well, mum) just hang it up when you get home. No need to dry it out like with carrier bags.

You'll also need at least one drinks bottle. Make sure they are sturdy because they get a lot of abuse.  Fill with weak juice or water; maybe a small dash of salt - especially if the swimmer suffers from cramp.

For aftercare, some shampoos are better for dealing with the chlorine.  They do tend be be more expensive...

Chlorine resistant swimware is a must.  Most swimware is meant to be worn for one week a year, or once a week, so you'll need one designed for frequent use. The "Speedo Endurance" is an example, but look for the Chlorine resistant attribute on the labels to get some indication that it will stand up to 4 or 5 sessions a week!

About this time, start keeping a log of the times swum in each event at meets.  You may prefer to do this on the computer, but record all times, not just new PBs (Personal Bests).  There are swimmer logbooks in the club shop.

A Club rucksack is often used to carry your stuff to and from training.

Team Spirit and Looking The Part at Meets

At meets and Thursday Club night, a Club hat IS A MUST!  No excuses please.

For meets, it builds team spirit (and looks the part!) if you have a club sports bag.  After warm up or between heats, the black club T-shirt is worn poolside to retain muscle heat. You'll also need shorts / tracksuit bottoms to keep warm, and if you leave poolside you must wear shoes - flip-flops or trainers. Not doing so is unhygenic, and also dangerous - if you slip on wet footprints

Fins (they aren't called flippers) will be needed from Development 2 onwards.  Please take advice from your coach as to size, shape and design.

Hand Paddles will be needed on entry to Age squad.  After Age Squad (County, District) you'll need a skipping rope, exercise bungee and exercise mat for the land training.  Of course, a skipping rope can be used before - good exercise!

When you gone home, especially in the cooler (ok, freezing cold) winter nights and mornings, you need to keep your muscles warm.  A club fleece is good, or if it's a meet, the club tracksuit is highly encouraged as it really make you look and feel part of the team.

Finally, when you rise to the District squad, a heart rate monitor is useful. The club shop doesn't stock these, but they can be bought from  sports shops, Argos or the Internet.  Don 't get a fancy one, as the coaches only use the basic features.  One common brand is Polar. Typically the ones with the pickup from a strap, worn around the chest, transmitting to a wrist-watch-type readout work best, and are less fiddly than the ones where you have no strap, and have to grip the "watch" for a reading. Girls can thread the strap through their costume, but boys find problems in keeping the straps in place. If in doubt, talk to the coaches.