Hitchin swimming club

New Members Area

providing a safe, enjoyable and friendly environment to allow all swimmers to fulfill their potential as competitive swimmers

This section is aimed at swimmers, and their guardians, who have recently joined the club. It also provides useful information for swimmers considering joining the club.

 

It contains membership pack information and the associated documents. It gives a short introduction to the club and how we run. Note that training times and current squad fees are in the Swimmers Area. Also you may wish to look at the Frequently Asked Questions pages for anything that is not covered here. Or of course contact the cub via info@hitchinswimmingclub.co.uk.

 

All the documents which can be downloaded at the Documents page.

 

Why Hitchin Swimming Club

Hitchin Swimming Club offers you a friendly environment in which to develop as a swimmer. Our experienced Head Coach is qualified and experienced to allow you to fulfil your potential - right up to national level swimming. Our recent survey of our members told us that the club was a friendly and supportive place with approachable coaching staff.

 

Who can I talk to about joining

All our contact details are on the Contacts page. You are most likely to wish to contact the Membership Secretary or the general information point.

 

What will it cost

See Swimmers Area for current squad fees.

 

How do I join the club

You are welcome to come along to a trial session at Hitchin Swimming Centre on Mondays at 18:15 or Fridays at 18:30. The coach will ask you to swim a few lengths to gauge how strong a swimmer you are. They will ask you to swim various strokes - don't worry if you are not perfect in all of them, especially fly. The idea is to see which squad you will be in and to see how your training should be focussed. The coach invite you to join the club and tell you when training times are. And then welcome to the club and the first step towards becoming very fit, having fun and developing as a swimmer.

 

How much training is involved

This will depend on how old you are and what level of stamina you have. See the Swimmers Area for current training sessions. The coaches will advise on the level of training that is suitable to start with. We are used to swimmers coming from swimming lessons to the club and appreciate this is a big step up. For such swimmers, we would normally you to attend at most two 1-hour sessions per week. As your fitness builds up, the coaches will advise on any adjustment to this approach.

 

Will I be able to cope with the training

We appreciate that joining the club is a big step up for swimmers from swimming lessons. During sessions the coaches will take this into account. A lot of our swimmers come from swimming lessons so we are good at managing this move.

 

Will I get technical training

Absolutely yes. The club follows Sport England’s Long Term Athletic Development (LTAD) approach. This is about laying a strong technical foundation in swimmers from the outset and adding on top stamina and strength - some other clubs do it the other way around, which does not work because swimmers peak too early in their swimming career.

 

The LTAD approach is also followed by most swimming lesson providers and there is a natural transition from swimming lessons to the swimming club.

 

The club will have personal development plans for each swimmer which will help them fulfil their swimming potential. In the early stages of their swimming this will focus on technique as well as building confidence. Later on more work will be undertaken on stamina and strength. The older swimmers also do land training working on core muscle control and strength. As the swimmers develop they will also be taught about sensible diets, recovery and other key aspects to developing as a strong sportsperson.

 

Are the coaches qualified - what is the coaching policy

Hitchin Swimming Club’s policy with respect to coaching is:

 

· It is our intention to provide suitably qualified and experienced coaching staff at all times.

· This means that coaches are suitably qualified and experienced to undertake the level of coaching they are performing with the level of swimmers they are coaching.

· The Head Coach is responsible for the overall direction of the coaching within the club. This includes setting out the medium and long term objectives for the swimmers, and the coaching practices necessary to achieve this.

· All other coaches work under the direction and guidance of the Head Coach.

· The club recognises the ASA teaching and coaching qualifications as evidence of suitably qualified coaches.

· On occasion, and due to unforeseen events, the club may use non-qualified coaches. Parents will be made aware of this in advance of the session and may withdraw their children from that session.

· Currently only the Head Coach may take Land Training.

 

Following this policy ensures that Hitchin Swimming Club is covered by ASA Insurance whilst training takes place.

 

What is you approach to Child Protection

We take child protection extremely seriously within the club and follow the Amateur Swimming Association’s (ASA) guidelines. We are also a Swim21 accredited swimming club which sets minimum standards for child protection.

If you have any child protection concerns then please ring Steve Hague, our child protection officer on 07767 056180. Or you can ring the ASA’s own child protection service on 0808 100 4001.

Our coaches are CRB checked as are any of our volunteers who are likely to be alone with swimmers.

What equipment do I need

All you need initially is: swimming costume (not Bermuda shorts style), goggles and swimming hat. You will probably want to bring a drink to training sessions as well. Water or squash is fine - you don’t need to buy expensive energy drinks.

You will soon also need a kickboard (float) and pull-buoy (a float which goes between the legs) and flippers. Initially the club can lend these to you during sessions. You will probably want a swimming bag to put all these items in. During galas you will want a “tea-bag” top. This is a t-shirt style top which keeps the swimmers warm after swimming.

The club operates a small shop during Wednesday training sessions at Hitchin Swimming Centre where you can buy most of the above items in club colors.