Emma Brunning - Active Blu

Swim Smooth Squad - Perth   Today on Poolside - CSS Set - Week 9 of 10. Returning onto pool deck in Perth, after 6 months back in the UK was a fantastic opportunity to see just how much the swimmers had improved over their winter period. It was insightful and also encouraging to see just how many of the squad had developed. Many of the swimmers had not only improved their technique and swim times, they also had increased their confidence whilst in the open water. So the question is; How did they do this and how can we achieve those results? Firstly, it is good to know these people are normal, they have families, hold down jobs and have every day  commitments. Squad Session - Perth. The key: Is KEEP IT SIMPLE - get your training right and being consistent with it. If we look at the Perth Squads , we can identify how their training week works and make sure that you too are ready for next years Open Water and Triathlon season. Answer These Question

Open Water Swim Series WA. Cottesloe Beach It is the morning of my first ocean swim since arriving in Perth. I have not slept in 4 days through jet lag and although I am feeling bit tired, I am very calm about the 2.5km swim ahead of me. The last time I left this beach was when I was setting off to swim the 20km to Rottnest Island.  My only concern with racing in the Ocean in WA are the stingers, however I had been informed that it was too cold for them and no one had been stung this season. This reassured me as last year I found myself in hospital after having an allergic reaction. Once registered, I met with some friends as we started to notice people rushing out the water crying in pain...The stingers were back.  This left me with an interesting dilemma, I suddenly went from a very calm state, to considering whether to drop out of the ocean swim altogether. It was not because of the pain the stingers cause, it was more the responsibility I felt to everyone else

Well what a summer we have had in the UK, the weather has been amazing, the events have been really well organised and the achievements and results people have accomplished were fantastic. Emma and Pip preparing for their race. In May 2013 the water temp reached 11 degrees. The brave swimmers started to venture into the open water for their first swims of the year, all training or preparing for their season of races, events, challenges and goals. The Active Blu venue has Britain's most breath taking views to swim from, in the heart of the Lake District we are lucky to have the stunning scenery as our back drop and our permanent training venue.  Active Blu Venue Active Blu saw record numbers join us for the Thursday Night Training Sessions on Windermere. The 21 sessions attracted people of all abilities and from across the country and the world.  Thursday Night Sessions. The OW courses and clinics also attracted vast numbers of Swimmers and Triathletes, the

I wanted to congratulate the Open Water and Squad swimmers this month. Training In Lanzarote July 2013  The New Swim Squad has now been running for 7 weeks at the Lancaster 315 Pool. On week 1 we tested the squads Critical Swim Speed. (CSS). Check out what this means at:  http://www.swimsmooth.com/training.html . This basically gives you an indication of the pace you can sustain every 100m for your 1500m swim. It is also useful to help monitor progress and reduction in swim times. An example: If your CSS is 1 min 30 secs per 100m, this will give you a time of 22 mins and 50 secs for your 1500m swim. Identifying What hold you back in the water.  We retested 2 weeks ago and all the squad members had reduced their CSS time. Some reducing it as much as 7 minutes, with most members seeing a 2 to 5 minute improvement for their CSS. This is above average and a remarkable achievement. Most of the squad have just started training regularly and using a structured progra

It has been amazing to see the amount of motivated and enthusiastic swimmers taking to the open water this year. As a coach I hear all sorts of inspiring stories and tales about the next big challenge individuals and groups are training for. On the Thursday Night Open Water Training session, the group consists a full range of abilities, from freestyle swimmers looking to improve their times, to breastroke swimmers coming for a social. What ever your goal or reason for coming, it has been truly inspiring to hear you stories and help support your goals. The Active Blu 1 Mile Series proved to be such a success last year that we start again on the 11th July 2013. This will run along side the normal training group and is open to anyone interested in monitoring their progress over the rest of the session. The first Evening is the 11th July. Please register at 6pm for a 6.30pm start. Cost: £5. Venue: Brockhole Level of Swimmer: Everyone that is confident in the open wate

On Saturday the 22nd June, the Blue Lagoon hosted the Swim Smooth / Tri England Open Water Day.  Photos by Jason Newsome As the Swim Smooth coach leading the day, I had a fantastic opportunity to support and work with 9 Volunteer British Triathlon Coaches, Venue staff, Safety Team and additional Tri England employees.  Identifying important drills. The day ran very smoothly, with the morning starting with 30 novice Open Water swimmers. The Coaching Team were able to support these athletes, giving them confidence in taking those first steps into the open water and encouraging them to practice their newly learnt skills. The afternoon consisted of an advanced group of 30 open water swimmers. After some theory in the class room, the coaches soon put them through their paces with some sighting, drafting and turning practice, before finishing off with a mass start and mini race. I would like to thank everyone involved in the day and the great venue staff at

The Great North Swim - Not just a Swim Event. Blue Wave Warming Up.    WOW, what a weekend.... With nearly 10,000 swimmers participating in either the 5km, 2 mile, 1 mile or 500m swims,  It was certainly a weekend to remember.  As a coach, friend and supporter, it was fantastic to see all the swimmers dedication, training and dreams come true. The weekend was not just a swim event, but also an example of peoples desires to achieve personal goals, support charity's of their choices and step out of their comfort zones to really challenge themselves.  The event was a great success, full of smiles, laughter and achievements. As a coach, I am delighted and proud of everyone who Swam, supported or attempted the distances.  Tom and Lisa - Take on the mile The conditions as always in Windermere are changeable, with this weekend being no exception. On Friday and Saturday swimmers experienced really choppy waters, putting all their training to the test from the

Active Blu Sessions Go wild Well it has been a great start to the open water season and even through the water took a bit of time to warm up, it has now reached a reasonable temperature. I would like to say both thank you and well done to everyone that has already been taking part in the sessions at Active Blu`s venue on Lake Windermere. Thursday Nights have seen record numbers turning up to get a coached session or just practice their open water skills. With the skills and Introduction to open water courses being packed with passionate, enthusiastic people wanting to improve their performance or just give it ago. This weekend is the Great North Swim where Lake Windermere will see over 10,000 people take part in the event and swim its waters. If you are after any last min advice, support, tips or just a friendly face, myself and a colleague will be at the Lake District National Park stand to offer any last minute help, alternatively come see us post event t

16th May 2013 - Thursday Night Open Water Training Starts. With the success of last years Thursday Nights Open Water Training, we are expecting more people taking to the water over the course of this season.   The Active Blu Team endeavour to make this years session is even more accessible and useful for everyone coming to train with us. Fresh Back from the Summer and Race season in Perth, Australia, Newly certified Swim Smooth Coach, Emma will be leading the session with top tips on open water drills, Skills and coaching. This session is open to everyone that is confident in the open water - Whether you are a seasoned Open Water Swimmer or Triathlete wanting a hard training session, or you just want a social experience in a safe open water environment this session will be ideal for you.  The training will Take place from the Jetty at Brockhole -  The Lake District National Park Visitor Centre: http://www.brockhole.co.uk/visit/howtogethere

Even though Open Water temperatures are still un-seasonably low for this time of year, it looks like spring is on its way. With 100s of Active Blu and Swim Smooth coaching courses planned for the summer season it is time to start preparing for this years events. Check them out HERE. 1:2:1 Coaching Perth. Training correctly and effectively can really help not only with your performance, but also your confidence leading up to and during your events. Knowing you have done everything you can, really helps combat those race day nerves and therefore reduces the anxiety that can arise when confronted with personal challenges.  Lake Windermere - Training Venue Remember consistency is the key, get training regularly and usefully. Here are a few courses to help you prepare for your Open Water Swimming and Triathlon season. Active Blu and Swim Smooth Courses 2013 Introduction to Open Water Swimming - 17th May and 31st May 2013 - 1 Hour 30 Mins. http://www.active

Reflections on  Rottnest 20km Channel Swim 2013. Rotto Solo 2013 At the end of Feb 2013 myself and hundreds of competitors swam the 20km Rottnest Channel , in some of the most shark infested waters in the world. There were 200 other solo swimmers that completed the event that day as well as teams and duo swimmers. I have to firstly congratulate and thank all those who took part in the event as well as all the amazing support crews and organisers .  I had been lucky enough to Coach the Swim Smooth Squads out in Perth and witness the courage, dedication and commitment it took to take part in such an event. People were swimming the event for many reasons and I felt privileged to be part of the team training them up for such a big challenge.  As time drew near and all the training was finishing, we all hoped for good weather, this was the only element we could not plan for, so we prepared for the worst and crossed our fingers. Rotto Event briefing For months Pert

Sue Oldham – Getting better with age. "My advice to other swimmers, or non swimmers, is don’t put off doing things, life goes by so quickly and one never knows what will be around the corner so make the most of this time, it can never be retrieved”. (Sue, Oldham, 2013) An inspiration to many wishing to challenge themselves this year. Sue is an inspirational, modest Character, having only started swimming in her 40`s, She is best known as the oldest women to swim across the English Channel. At the age of 65 Sue entered the record books finishing her swim in 17 hours 11 mins. However the list of records, stories and amazing accomplishments is endless. Based in Perth Australia, I had a rare opportunity to catch up with Sue and ask her a few questions regarding her swimming back ground, who inspired her and her greatest Challenges to date. Emma:   “Please tell me about how and when you got into swimming”? Sue:  “ About 20 years ago a friend suggested I

Keeping your cool on event day… Perth is hosting the Worlds Largest Open Water Swimming Event on 23 rd  Feb 2013. Thousands of swimmers from across the world are participating in the 20km event, so as you can imagine this is going to be one wild day! With so much commitment and dedication shown from the swimmers, skippers, kayakers and support crews over the last 6 months, the question is: How do you keep your cool on event day? Event Day The actual day is a huge occasion with thousands of participants, big crowds and boats, let alone the challenge of swimming 20km. It is all ahead of you and it is vital that we take it all in, celebrate how far we have come, take a deep breath and just do your thing. No matter what your challenge, keeping your cool and enjoying the experience is the most important thing at this point.  Remember your training is done, you know how to swim and everything you have learnt and gone through in preparing for the event