Swimming WA ventured up to Exmouth in the Gascoyne Region for the latest Regional Swim Clinic. Ralph McManis was the Lead Coach for this clinic and had the participants in awe when he announced he’d competed at a Commonwealth Games, and even more in awe when he said he’s coached six WA athletes to the Olympic Games. This clinic saw 16 attendees across two clubs, Exmouth and a family travelled from Onslow in the Pilbara region which was fantastic to see. The 50m pool was looking divine with the shade sails ensuring that there was some relief from the heat.
The warm-up saw participants swim approx. 200m freestyle which gave McManis a chance to then split the participants across lanes based on their abilities; this ensures that he can tailor his coaching appropriately and differently where required.
The participants were introduced to the fifth form stroke – streamline. McManis explained the importance of working on streamlining and how it can be the difference between winning and losing. The first part of the clinic was spent improving the participant’s streamline through broken-down drills before incorporating what they learnt into the remaining form strokes. McManis then worked through drills for breaststroke and backstroke before moving on to butterfly and finally freestyle. The participants were presented a small gift from McManis at the end of the clinic as a thank you for their attendance and attention. It was enjoyable to see the kids ask McManis for his autograph in their new swim logbooks, not what he expected but goes to show the kids valued his knowledge and time taking the clinic.
The day offered an incredible opportunity for local swim teachers to receive mentorship from McManis during the clinic. Five people took up that opportunity which saw them walking up and down pool deck alongside McManis and listening to his explanations from all the drills. With McManis's permission, they took many videos of his drill descriptions which meant they could have a series of videos as a resource to refer back to the next time they are training. These upskilling opportunities have been invaluable with the knowledge that can be shared and left with the region once we have gone home.
A huge thank you again to the Shire of Exmouth/Exmouth Swimming Pool and the Exmouth Amateur Swimming Club for their hospitality and use of their great facilities, as well as to Ralph McManis for his time and stories for the participants. As always we thank the Department of Local Government Sport & Cultural Industries for their continued support to ensure these opportunities remain for our regions.
