Training for a BIG swim?

Working out how to approach a channel swim can be confusing. With marathons and triathlons there are numerous books that lay out simple to understand training plans. Channel swimming is not like that. Whilst there are books on the market, there are so many variables and we all approach the challenge with unique backgrounds, so there’s no book that you can pick up or training plan you could copy that would be perfect for you. The one size fits all approach really doesn’t work.

If you ask others for advice, you’ll probably receive as many opinions as people you ask and some of it will conflict. Who do you listen to? Most channel swimmers have only one successful swim to their name (91%) - was their day representative? Was their approach the best approach? If they were successful they may well suggest that their way is the way ahead, but is it right for you?

Only 47 people have completed more crossings that I have. It’s unusual to have trained as many people as I have, so to have done both puts me in a very unique position. I even have a private pool with the facilities for video analysis if you want to have your stroke assessed and would like to improve it.

Some people acquire fears and mental barriers along the way. It can be very difficult to tell the difference between demons and real barriers. Chances are, I will have seen your barriers, real or otherwise, before and can help you resolve them.

Together we can demystify it all. My aim is to get you to the start of your swim, confident and well prepared.

One to one training support

The way that I work with most of my one to one coaching clients is to first understand your background and current swimming strengths & weaknesses. From there we develop a training plan that we update and review on a fortnightly basis. This can simply cover your pool work, or can incorporate your open water training as well, particularly if you don’t train with us in Dover.

• I’ll ask the challenging questions if they need to be asked.

• I’ll hold you to account to complete the actions and training that you commit to complete.

• We’ll monitor for the signs of over-training and push on at the rate that delivers the greatest improvements to you.

• We’ll identify the small actions that can be taken to move you forwards

Other Examples of ways that I can help you with:

• Learning the practical steps required for your training and big day

• Selecting your crew

• Sports performance hypnosis

• Building a positive mindset

• Letting go of limiting decisions and negative emotions

• Designing specific sets to do in your pool sessions rather than just the volume of training to be completed.

I also run Dover Channel Training and your physical open water training is best provided through that route. There’s no better place and the camaraderie from the group is second to none.