The Australian Open Water Flippers Squad Training Camp was recently held at Lennox Head in New South Wales. The five day program brought together 16 exceptional athletes from around Australia, selected based on their performances at the 2024 Australian Open Water Championships in Busselton in January.
Among the participants were swimmers, Tommy Lane (Cheltenham) and Dakoda Mathers (Nunawading), both proudly representing Victoria. Accompanying them as a Team Coach was Kelly Stubbins from Cheltenham.
The training camp featured a comprehensive schedule of eight sessions, focusing on essential aspects of open water swimming such as drafting, turns, feeding techniques, and pack swimming. The pinnacle of the week was a 5km time trial on the final day, allowing the athletes to put their honed skills into practice.
An interesting aspect of the camp was the emphasis on self-sufficiency. Swimmers were responsible for their own cooking and cleaning throughout the week. We kicked off the camp with a nutrition session led by Ali Disher, the Australian Dolphins Swim Team dietitian. Ali covered meal requirements and key nutrition points for the week ahead. Following this session, the team collectively shopped for their groceries, preparing them for the self-cooked meals during the camp.
To enhance the physical well-being of our athletes, there was also a practical session on self-management techniques facilitated by Chris, a physiotherapist from Perth who will be working with the World Junior Open Water Championship team.
After each training session, the coaching team held debrief meetings to assess progress, identify areas for improvement, and tailor subsequent sessions accordingly. The collaborative effort of coaches from around Australia played a crucial role in shaping the training program and ensuring a focused and effective learning environment.
Kelly Stubbins, Head Coach from Cheltenham, shared her enthusiasm, stating, "It was great to come together with coaches from around Australia and really put some quality open water work into the future open water stars of the Australian swim team."
The Australian Open Water Flippers Squad training camp at Lennox Head was a resounding success, fostering collaboration, skill development, and an enriching experience for our talented swimmers. We look forward to seeing the impact of this camp on the future performances of Tommy and Dakoda.
