From little things big things grow

For a lot of children his age, swimming is easy. His journey of mind and body awareness, has been anything but easy. At times we have struggled, become frustrated and most certainly been afraid. We have spent hours together, learning from each other and making little steps forward every time we touch the water. Gradually these little steps forward are melding together to create a confident and calm swimmer, a swimmer who is proud of his accomplishments, a swimmer who has found happiness and satisfaction in the water.

That looks like a looooong way…..

Today is the first long course (50m) swim meet for my daughter and her team. They swim short course (25yd) most of the year. Just as the 50m pool can seem daunting to a child, looking at the course of an open water swim may be daunting for a triathlete – the end looks so far away!

Here are 3 tips to help you relax into long course swimming – pool or open water:
1. Practice in the environment in which you are to race – get in the open water or 50m pool
2. Focus on the process not the outcome – take one stroke at a time
3. Break down the long course into mentally manageable chunks – buoy to buoy, or half the 50m pool at a time

Coach Dinah