Fit&Abel Summer Downunder

Fit&Abel head coach Dan Abel is now back in New Zealand after 30 odd hours of travel back from the UK – it’s hard work following the sun.

We have some great partners and swim opportunities this summer and if the first few weeks are anything to go by we are in for an action packed summer of open water swimming. We have started our Open Water Technique swims and our Ocean Skills swims. It’s not a silly idea to get your stroke sorted before heading into the Open Water, we are passionate about personalising technique training to YOU which is why we also offer 121 swim lessons.

Man-made Pegasus Lake in is great condition and is a perfect newbie open water swim venue, minimal hazards and pleasant water temperatures http://www.pegasustown.com/webcam

We have coached Fitness and Technique sessions at Pegasus every Tuesday evening at 7pm. https://fitandabel.com/events-bookings/fitabel-summer-201213-series/open-water-fitness-and-technique-series/

Our other regular Open Water venue is Corsair Bay in Lyttelton Harbour. Check out the picture on the registration page and you will see how beautiful this location can be early morning or late evening. https://fitandabel.com/events-bookings/fitabel-summer-201213-series/sea-swim-fitness-series/  We swim here every Thursday evening at 6.30pm.

Our mantra for this summer for new open water swimmers: Race day is not the time to figure out that your wetsuit doesn’t fit right, you can’t swim in a straight line or you feel uncomfortable not being able to touch the bottom.

Fit&Abel will be providing the swim coaching services for a great outfit called Complete Performance http://www.completeperformance.co.nz/ they are a team of expert multisport and triathlon coaches.  If you’re looking for some help out of the water, some run coaching or maybe a group to ride with, do look them up.

For those planning on using wetsuits in their open water this summer; Yes they help you float and cut down on drag so you swim faster, they keep you warm too. Get the right wetsuit and the right fit and you will love swimming in your wetsuit. Get it wrong and it can make your swim miserable. Try and size before you buy. Ask me if you need help or go to the Frontrunner store on Colombo St, Christchurch http://www.thefrontrunner.co.nz/  and ask for JC. He has the knowledge and the communication skills to help get you in the right wetsuit.

Last point from a slightly different tact; The South Island of New Zealand has some gorgeous open water swim locations. We would like to keep it that way. There have been some non-local weed species introduced to the waterways over the last few years. They are not harmful to us but are to the eco system. We don’t want any more and we don’t want to spread these new plants. If you swim in one fresh water location at a minimum allow 48 hours for your swim gear to dry before swimming in the next location, it needs to be bone dry. If you can’t wait 48 hours you must soak everything in a solution of water and 5% dish washing liquid to clean it properly. When you finish an open water swim check for any weed on your kit, clean it and dry.

New Zealand summer is here, it is time to get swimming Open Water.