Steve Garner
- an opinion from a "swimming dad"
Almost exactly a year ago, our daughter, Samantha finally
pursuaded us that she was serious about her swimming, and
was prepared to put in the "hard yards" in training.
In turn, we agreed to fully support her, pay for squad training
and try and become morning people (this was not an easy transition
!).
This time last year Sam, aged twelve, joined Steve Garner's
morning squads and spent the next month going up and down
the lanes trying to keep up with the junior squad - these
were all kids quite a lot younger than her, fitter than her,
and in some cases, faster than her.
Steve spent that month watching and assessing her, and regularly
spoke to all of us about what was required to become a good,
even if not great, swimmer. He stressed that talent was probably
only 10% of the story - her mental attitude and her willingness
to work hard were the key things needed. It needs to be understood
that at this time Sam was just one of a number of new kids
in the squads and had not really shown any obvious potential.
Over the next six months Sam's times barely improved, but
she kept at it, working to a carefully thought out and structured
program. Suddenly in late October it all started to come together
and under Steve's expert tuition and a very professionally
designed program Sam is now working hard to qualify for the
National Age Championships in April. She may or may not make
it - however her being able to aim that high does demonstrate
what extraordinary progress she has made in 12 months.
We are certainly very proud of her, and of how hard she has
worked. However the key ingredient was the fact that the head
coach of the centre, Steve Garner, had the professionalism
to take her aspirations seriously when she was just another
kid in the squad, had the expertise to design and manage a
program that has worked beyond any of our expectations, and
had the temperament to keep the whole thing calm and (most
of the time !) good fun for Sam. His level of support was
certainly well beyond anything we could have expected.
I am not sure that everyone appreciates just how good a coach
Steve is - an awful lot of what Sam has and is achieving can
be put down to him. If a family has a swimmer in the same
position as Sam was in 6 or 12 months ago, and if that swimmer
is prepared to put in the hard work, then with Steve on your
side anything is possible.
David Marshall (February 06)
Tracey Ayton says:
"Winter racing requires caps in the
water and beanies out of water as body temperature drops when
the head is exposed to cold air. Just a tip from a racing
mum. Also body temp drop lowers immune system and thats when
they get sick not because of being cold."
“Always bring 2 sets of goggles, a good sized drink
bottle, and good healthy food. Never breathe on the first
stroke off any wall in freestyle and fly. Always finish freestyle
races by not breathing in the last 5 metres and always finish
on a full stroke in fly and backstroke.”
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