What’s Up?
After a great summer in the UK and a successful October Cook Islands RealSwim we are pleased the warmer weather has finally arrived in Christchurch, New Zealand. Yes another summer is on the cards for FitandAbels head coach, much to the chagrin of the team at http://www.h2openmagazine.com...
The Cook Islands
We are just back from an amazing RealSwim Adventure week set in the clear and warm waters of the Cook Islands. It is an amazing trip and we aren't just talking about the swimming. Read on to see the latest package and itinerary for our 2016 Cook Islands RealSwim Adventure. Introducing our brand new Cook Islands RealSwim Adventures package. The Basics provides just that - $1500NZD gets you a week of swim guides, safety cover, event hosting for the week, charter boats, refreshments and nutrition while on the charter boats. For flights and accommodation you have the option of booking yourself or we can help … we have partnered up...
Ruths Story
Swimming, and swimming outdoors in particular, gives me a wonderful feeling of wellbeing in mind and body. Coming to the Lido, either for Rio training squad sessions or a lesson with Dan is time out of life, a little window of relaxation where nothing is more important than working on your stroke or your breathing....
I Swim Because …
Some thoughts on swimming, written by members of the Rio Talent Squad...
Moving to the Dark Side
Nancy Shaw is a regular Tooting Bec Lido swimmer who has just been through a very thorough process in purchasing a wetsuit. She’s made a lot of good decisions on the way and learnt some good lessons. I asked Nancy if she would kindly share her wetsuit journey with our readers. Thank you Nancy. Ed...
Cool Swim ‘Stuff’
In the north … summer is upon us. In the south you will need dreams of Fun Swims to get you through the winter months. Wherever you are we’ve compiled a little list of ‘cool swim stuff’ that we love and we think you may too:...
The Case
One of the most regular expressions we use when coaching is “the fastest way to the finish line is a straight line and it is also one of the hardest things to do in the open water. It’s certainly a lot easier to achieve if you can see where you are going” This is going to sound simplistic however, so many get it wrong; an appropriate set of goggles that gives you quality clear vision are a vital component of straight line open water swimming. As part of a normal progression in open water swimming a person will naturally figure out (by advice and trial...
Our Top Ten for the Open Water
Preparation is key; get your swim technique refined and rehearse it often enough before you hit the open water. In the open water all you want to concentrate on is open water skills and having fun not what your arms and legs are doing. Swim with others/Buddy up; it’s more fun, you’ll have more confidence and reassurance Self-talk is everything. If you say it often enough you’ll believe it… “The water is refreshing, invigorating and exciting” versus “The water is freezing and I’m scared” Do some research or ask a local; measure the distance on a map (Judging distance over water is difficult), check the tides, ask about...
Layering
The four seasons, they come and they go. We hope for the spring water to warm up. We rejoice when summer heats up the open water. We pray that summer temperatures remain in autumn and we pine as autumnal lows slowly rob the open water of the summer heat. We at FitandAbel.com swim coaching work with the many different open water groups: triathletes, open water racers, open water enthusiasts, sportive swimmers, neoprene addicts, the open water purest. Some groups overlap extremely well. Some groups remain clear of each other. Regardless of differences … we all have one conversation in common; The water temperature. How do we get...
Local Race Series
FitandAbel swim coaches Dan Abel and Ollie Hansen are pleased to announce the launch of RealSwim Race Series Christchurch in 2015. “The Realswim Race Series creates excitement and adventure through the medium of swimming. It is a community and family orientated event aimed at giving everyone an exciting, affordable and well-structured way to get active in the open water. Family and friends can enjoy a picnic on Corsair Beach while cheering and supporting participants in the RealSwim Race.” It will be following a very similar format to previous swim series held at Corsair on Wednesday nights with 500m, 1000m, and 2000m races. The 500m race involves one...