Poolside Report

This year has seen several developments affecting the poolside organisation of BASC. We have managed the growth in the number of swimmers at the club, the number of sessions and added to our teaching staff.

The extra Sunday width class and the Tuesday Hab’s width session introduced last year have both been firmly established on the clubs timetable.

Members will notice that we have undertaken a reorganisation of the width classes over the year so that a logical progression through the development stages is possible in classes of a similar ability. As swimmers improve their skill, technique and stamina they are advanced through the classes on to the length sessions and then into the coaching sessions. We do notice that the swimmers who attend more regularly derive the greatest benefit from the club and these are the ones who tend to advance more quickly through the classes.

During the year we decided to move the Thursday swim from Watford Girls pool to Habs. This decision was taken for a number of reasons but principally because we found the lack of access around the pool at Watford and the unsuitable changing facilities were compromising the club. Habs has also allowed us to install starting blocks for the use of our swimmers. Some of our younger swimmers benefited from using diving blocks for the first time.

Those diving blocks together with 3 storage cages, floats, pull buoys and several other useful teaching aids and pieces of equipment have been purchased by the club during the year. We will be updating and adding other pieces of equipment to our stock this coming year.

You will also have noticed that our teaching/coaching staff have been issued with BASC tracksuits and polo shirts. As well as providing suitable clothing these ensure that we are readily identifiable and the image of our club is promoted in the community. Similarly it is good to see that most of our members are wearing club liveried swimwear and hats.

This year a number of members of the teaching/coaching team have obtained additional or new qualifications. These courses are a considerable commitment on top of the teaching time that is already given to the club and it is a testament to the dedication of our unpaid team of volunteers that they are prepared to give so much in support of BASC. I would particularly like to express my thanks and admiration to the entire teaching team.

As with many clubs ours is constantly changing its profile. We have attracted several master swimmers during the year and some of these are regularly contributing to the club in galas and teaching. This is a welcome development and provides a strong message that this sport is for all ages and not something you should stop when you reach the Teens.

I must congratulate all our swimmers for another excellent year. We have seen records tumble and the reintroduction of time trials seems to have been a spur for many of the younger ones to add to their speed awards and personal bests.

Richard Henson – Poolside Manager