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Are you cold? Feeling chilly at all? If not, I'm sure you will be after hearing about two of our Open Water Swimmers, Meghann Leaver (16) and Olivia Nicholls (15), both of whom train in our 'A' Squad.
Back in June, in the middle of the swimming season, these two girls were invited to train alongside some of the best open water swimmers in the North West, all being challenged by the most professional coaches this country has to offer - it was a day jam packed full of hitting, kicking and racing in the deep, cold waters of Salford Quays.
The Pioneer 79 Girls were selected to participate and then join in as part of the England Talent Open Water Programme. They had been selected by the top England Coaches due to their performances in long distance events, both in the pool and their open water competitions over the past 12 months.
The day started with the swimmers enduring an hour's lecture from the Head Coach of England Talent Squad, he informed them of the dangers of open water swimming, how to use their opponents to assist in their racing techniques, and how to race in the varying conditions that open water swimmers can face. After this, it was the swimmers' chance to show what they had to offer and finally having the opportunity to swim in the freezing temperatures of the Quays.
The day concentrated on practising mass starts, pacing and tough finishes; it was imperative they got the small details right as the Regional Championships were being held the following weekend. The swimmers, ranging from 15 to 18 years old, had plenty of bruises and battle scars to show off after the hard work, proving that Open Water Swimming is not for the feint hearted!
Pioneer 79 are extremely proud of both Meghann and Olivia on their selection for this discipline as it is one side to swimming that the club has perhaps not spent much time in the past concentrating on. This year alone, the club has seen a huge increase in swimmers being interested in Open Water Swimming and their results in the coming years may prove to be encouraging to our younger swimmers.
Back in June, in the middle of the swimming season, these two girls were invited to train alongside some of the best open water swimmers in the North West, all being challenged by the most professional coaches this country has to offer - it was a day jam packed full of hitting, kicking and racing in the deep, cold waters of Salford Quays.
The Pioneer 79 Girls were selected to participate and then join in as part of the England Talent Open Water Programme. They had been selected by the top England Coaches due to their performances in long distance events, both in the pool and their open water competitions over the past 12 months.
The day started with the swimmers enduring an hour's lecture from the Head Coach of England Talent Squad, he informed them of the dangers of open water swimming, how to use their opponents to assist in their racing techniques, and how to race in the varying conditions that open water swimmers can face. After this, it was the swimmers' chance to show what they had to offer and finally having the opportunity to swim in the freezing temperatures of the Quays.
The day concentrated on practising mass starts, pacing and tough finishes; it was imperative they got the small details right as the Regional Championships were being held the following weekend. The swimmers, ranging from 15 to 18 years old, had plenty of bruises and battle scars to show off after the hard work, proving that Open Water Swimming is not for the feint hearted!
Pioneer 79 are extremely proud of both Meghann and Olivia on their selection for this discipline as it is one side to swimming that the club has perhaps not spent much time in the past concentrating on. This year alone, the club has seen a huge increase in swimmers being interested in Open Water Swimming and their results in the coming years may prove to be encouraging to our younger swimmers.
Pictured are Meghann Leaver (Left) and Olivia Nicholls (Right)
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