Pools update as at 11 August 2020:
- City Baths: there has been a setback with potential damage to both pool tanks. Best case scenario is that the main pool could be ready for us to resume club training mid-end September. (For those who are interested, the small pool needs work to repair the tiles which lifted when it was drained. If anyone has a few £000 to spare, the pool is looking for funding! The main pool now also has a question mark over some of the tiles and it is due to be assessed by a structural engineer in the next 1-2 weeks. Once it has the all clear, either because the tiles are OK or after repair work, it will take about 3 weeks to refill and heat.) We’ll keep the updates coming as we get information.
- Christleton: open for public swimming. There are specific procedures in place for booking, preparation before you leave home, arriving at the pool, entry and exit. Check here for details, and here for the new swimming timetable. They are now bringing clubs back in, initially with 2 x double width lanes. Will update us when they feel they can move to single lane widths.
- Northgate Arena: open for public swimming. They are now bringing clubs back in, initially into the training pool with 2 x double width lanes. Potential for club swimming also in the laned area in the leisure pool. Will update us when they feel they can move to single lane widths..
- For the time being, we will need to run swim sessions at slightly different times/days/locations to our normal programme. Numbers need to be limited for each session and we will need to introduce an online booking and payment system. The advantage is that you will know you have a place in a particular session and will not be turned away because the session is full. It will allow us to capture an attendance list with contact details in the event it is required for NHS Test and Trace if there is a Covid case which affects any of our sessions.
- We will send out a survey by email to regular swimmers to gauge interest in the days, times and locations currently available. Please respond so we can best gauge which sessions will be fully attended on a regular basis. We’ll keep the costs as low as possible, but club finances have been understandably depleted due to events unable to take place, so the club may not be able to subsidise sessions. If you don’t receive the survey by Saturday 15 August and want to start swimming regularly, please get in touch: swim@nullchestertri.org.uk
- We’ll continue to post updates from the pools here, on the club’s facebook page and on the website.
For those who want to read into full guidelines for pool swimming, Swim England has published Return to Pools Guidance.
Our next swim sessions
Swim sessions are £4.00 for members and £5.00 for non‐members.
Non‐members can join 3 sessions and should be people who are considering joining the club.
Technique swim sessions
Technique sessions are usually held at Chester City Baths on Saturdays 16:00 – 17:00.
Our Technique swim session is for all abilities who would like to improve their front crawl technique. It’s also appropriate for novice swimmers who are learning front crawl or those recovering from injury.
- New to swimming.
- Limited understanding of technique.
- May lack fitness.
- May include post injury rehab.
Training Focus
- Learn to swim front crawl.
- Develop stroke, using drills.
- Begin swim endurance.
- Develop lane discipline.
- Priority on technique, no pressure on speed!
Intermediate swim sessions
Sessions are usually held at Christleton Sports Centre on Mondays 18:00 – 19:00 and Fridays 19:00 – 20:00, then at Chester City Baths on Sundays 18:15 – 19:15.
There is also an early morning session on Wednesdays 06:00 – 07:00, and an afternoon session on Saturdays 15:00 – 16:00, held at Chester City Baths.
Our Intermediate sessions are squad sessions that cater for a wide variety of abilities. As a basis, swimmers should be able to swim front crawl for at least 200m without stopping. The coaches will help you in terms of which lane you will most benefit from and if this session is suitable for you.
- Reasonably fit.
- Technique: still in need of development.
Training Focus
- Mondays and Fridays – CSS development.
- Wednesdays – Speed work and CSS development.
- Saturdays – Fitness.
- Sundays – Endurance.
Advanced swim sessions
Sessions are usually held at Christleton Sports Centre on Mondays 19:00 – 20:00 and Fridays 18:00 – 19:00, then at Chester City Baths on Sundays 18:15 – 19:15.
There is also an early morning session on Wednesdays 06:00 – 07:00, and an afternoon session on Saturdays 15:00 – 16:00, held at Chester City Baths.
Advanced swim sessions are squad sessions for those who are able to maintain a pace of approximately 1:50 per 100m or quicker over longer distances.
- Fit and competent swimmer.
- Good level of technique.
- Good lane discipline.
Training Focus
- Mondays and Fridays – CSS development.
- Wednesdays – Speed work and CSS development.
- Saturdays – Fitness.
- Sundays – Endurance.