For many coaches, myself included, the holiday period is a wonderful balance between celebrating Christmas and New Years, some helpful rest, and a great opportunity to get some mileage in at the training pool. Some clubs will head south for a training camp, while most will stay at home at train.
Back in the 1984, 68 swimmers and parents from my Dorado Swim Club left on Boxing Day for Trinidad to compete in the Caribbean Championships, followed by 4 days on the beach in Tobago.
I still keep in touch with several swimmers, specifically, because they are either coaching today (David Loyola) or have their own kids swimming (Rob Bertelink, Denyse (Turner) Hartway).
When I was coaching with Whitby Dolphins (2012-2016), we always stayed home, but not to suggest it was total rest. We had targeted dailies for excellent mileage. My favourite workout was 100x100 on the final calendar day of the year. Broken up into 10 sets of 10x100 with variable goals and descents.
For 2018, I’m pleased to provide some Private Coaching Clinics to several swimmers from Uxbridge, NYAC, ESWIM, Orangeville and the Toronto Swim Club. All sessions have been held in the dive tank at PanAm-TPASC and they have been excellent.
I find the swimmers are more attentative and less disracted by homework, school, schedules, etc. A great opportunity for learning and adjusting stroke technique.
While I will be working several sessions providing video/tech coaching at Toronto Swim Club, I have a few slots available for Private Coaching at PanAm-TPASC between January 2-6.