Swimming WA ventured up to Tom Price on the last weekend in October for two Athlete Swim Clinics. We were fortunate enough to bring Jason Evans as the Lead Coach who bought with him swimming wisdom, expansive knowledge and both professional and personal experience to pass onto the region. The two clinics were divided into age group with the seniors going first and the juniors in the afternoon.
Both clinics started off with a quick ‘get-to-know-you’ activity and a game to test the swimmers’ reaction times which is a very important skill in swimming. The in-water warm-up was led by Ruth Delaporte, a local volunteer at the club who was able to do her final practical assessment under Jason. The senior group of 16 participants received a masterclass in middle distance swimming and stroke efficiency; and what tools they could add to their toolbox. The swimmer’s established their stroke count, worked against their times and finished with ‘broken’ 200s.
The junior group of 14 participants were led again in their warm-up by Ruth, before moving onto learning more about breaststroke and butterfly and how to better their rhythm, timing and stroke. Using pull buoys and flippers each stroke was broken down and practiced in small chunks so that the overall skill could be pieced one by one back together again.
Each participant was given a small gift at the end of their session as a thank-you for their commitment on the day which was well received by all. Jason was a hit with both swimmers and teachers on pool deck – Ruth demonstrated her skills well and Jason was able to sign her off on her SAT-CS (swim teacher) qualification which was a huge highlight of the weekend. Being a regional club, especially so far away from the city, this weekend was a major success in getting Ruth signed off because it means she doesn’t need to travel to Perth for one signature and it means there is another qualified and dedicated teacher within the club and region which goes a long way in the longevity of swimming in Tom Price.
A huge thank-you again to Tom Price Amateur Swimming Club for their hospitality, to Jason for his dedication and time planning the sessions and to the Department of Local Government Sport & Cultural Industries for your continued support in allowing Swimming WA to visit our regions.
23/24 Regional Clinic Calendar:
• November 17th-18th – Kalgoorlie Regional Development Weekend
• December 10th – Beverley
• January 21st – Kellerberrin
• February 3rd – Exmouth
• February 10th – Morawa
• February 17th – Margaret River
• February 18th – Pinjarra
