SWSC Committee

Liam Custer, who lives and trains in Florida with Sarasota Sharks but is also a member of SWSC, has recorded the fastest time in the USA this season in the 15/16 age group 400 IM in a 25 yard pool, recording a time of 3:48.81. Well done Liam!

That time converts to 4:13.97 for SCM, which is better than the current Junior (U 19) and Senior Irish records. He also recorded the ninth fastest 200 yards freestyle in the age group in the USA this season in a time that converts to 1:48 SCM. His 400 IM converted time is a great improvement on the 4:21.89 which he recorded in the 2019 Irish SC Nationals last December where he finished second in the Senior event. He might have competed with SWSC in the Irish Summer Nationals this July but these were cancelled due to the pandemic.

I visited Liam and his family in Sarasota last September. Liam trains outdoors in a pool that is 65m long and can be set up for ten 50m lanes or, as used for most training sessions, as twenty seven 25 yard lanes. That’s great, but the crucial things are he never misses a session and trains almost 50% more than we do in normal times. He also specialises in the longer events (400/ 800/ 1500 free; 200/400 IM, 200 back & fly).
With the present regulations governing the return to training, Swim Ireland following Government Health recommendations, mandated that Senior squads and Masters would be the first groups back. Currently training times are more time restricted than pre-covid. However, you are all being very good in complying with these restrictions and I am told you are going really well in training. Richard Cassidy tells me that you look as if you just missed three weeks rather than three months! Training for the Seniors will continue in Leisure World until August 7, then there will be a two week break while works proceed in that facility. This two week break coincides with that recommended by Ben Higson, Senior National Coach, for the elite Irish team preparing for the Olympics.
It’s very important to maximise your training time so if you have already qualified for the Munster Regional Squads make sure you attend each and every session. If you have yet to qualify, then qualification should be your short term aim (do you know the Munster and Irish squad qualifying times in your age group?).
In relation to the National squad, only Andrew Feenan is currently qualified from Cork. Since that squad returned to the pool Andrew has been training first at the NAC in Dublin and now in the University of Limerick (UL) pool, and tells us he is rapidly getting back his water fitness. As Richard told you he has been awarded a swimming scholarship by UL beginning in September. Well done Andrew!
Finally let me assure you that the Committee and coaches are actively working to restart activities (Senior, Intermediate and Junior squads; the Learn to Swim programme) in Douglas (of course, within Government health regulations). Watch this space for plans for August 24 onwards!

Tom Cross

SWSC President

Dear Members,

The Sundays Well Swimming Club Committee is working proactively to re-establish all club activities as quickly as possible in compliance with Government regulations and with the support and guidance of Swim Ireland.

I’m pleased to let you know that we have taken the first steps towards getting back in the water. Our senior competitive squad will start sessions in a specially constructed open water pool at Cork Powerboat and Waterski Club on Inniscarra Lake on 11 June, we expect to resume limited pool sessions on 29 June and this will continue over the summer. We expect to be able to offer pool access to our Masters swimmers from 6 July. We will continue the zoom based fitness and fun sessions with the intermediate and junior squads until late June and will then break for the summer returning to the pool in late August. And we are working towards resuming our learn to swim sessions in September. 

All sessions will run in strict compliance with Government and Swim Ireland guidelines on social distancing and this will affect pool capacity, training routines, use of changing and shower facilities, entry to and exit from the pool and travel to and from the pool. And we will require extra support from parents to ensure the health and safety of swimmers and their families.

Further details will be communicated through coaches as they become available.

As you know the situation is evolving. The Club Committee is reviewing the situation daily and will make further decisions as necessary and communicate updates regularly on our Club Website and WhatsApp channels.

Swim Ireland have introduced a number of initiatives to support Clubs including a range of online courses and forums for committee members, coaches, volunteers, parents and swimmers. We’d encourage you to take advantage as relevant https://www.swimireland.ie/news/launch-online-training-schedule 

And Swim Ireland publish regular updates on the Return to Water programme at https://www.swimireland.ie/ that are also very valuable.

Thanks to coaches for adapting so positively to the situation in recent months, to swimmers for engaging with such enthusiasm and fun and to parents for your support and patience. 

We will no doubt face further challenges in the months ahead as we strive to support as many swimmers as possible with the constraints we face.

If you have any questions or can help in any way, feel free to contact your Coach, the Children’s Club Officer or Secretary as appropriate.

Stay safe and well.

Yours Sincerely,