Swim England Artistic Swimming

The home of artistic swimming in England

National conference helps synchro coaches and judges reach their potential

Coaches and judges from across the country have been discovering new ways to reach their potential at the Swim England National Synchronised Swimming Conference.

More than 60 delegates attend the two-day event at the Jurys Inn, East Midlands Airport, and expanded their knowledge and shared the latest information on a range of topics.

It is the third consecutive year the conference has been held with this year’s event titled Reaching Our Potential – Coaching and Judging For Success.

Those attending also picked up the latest updates from world and European governing bodies FINA and LEN.

Delegates watched a series of in-depth presentations by Karen Thorpe, Katie Clark and Rosie Barrington which covered a wide-range of topics from developing speed and acrobatic lifts to understanding the athlete brain and the impact puberty and periods have on performance.

Coaches then got involved in an interactive session led by Synchronised Swimming Leadership Team Workforce Lead Hannah Secher, where figures and routines displays were analysed with judges giving their views on what needed to be done to achieve more marks.

Sarah Clarke, Synchronised Swimming Leadership Team Athlete Reward and Recognition lead, introduced the new land grades to the delegates along with Swim England National Development Officer Sarah Darragh.

Experts in synchro, yoga and gymnastics have developed a comprehensive toolkit to help coaches deliver training that builds strength and flexibility on land before the swimmers transfer these skills to the pool.

Maria Ramos, chairperson of the Swim England Synchronised Swimming Leadership Team, said: “The conference was a huge success.

“It was fantastic to see so many coaches and judges taking time away from their homes and the pool to develop their knowledge.

“So many of them are volunteers and their desire to be the best they can to help others progress is simply inspiring.”

Top