Top Ten Questions About the Power of Potential Swim Camp 2011

Hi there!

This post is for all the swimmers and their families coming to Echuca for the Power of Potential Swim Camp in October 2011.

This will answer most of your questions and help you prepare for what will be a great experience for everyone.

Question 1: What should I bring to the camp?

Answer: Bring everything you would usually take to your regular swimming training sessions. Here's a short checklist:

• Goggles
• Cap
• Fins / flippers
• Kickboard
• Pullbuoy and Band
• Paddles
• Towel
• Water bottle

Very important!!! If you are an asthmatic or take medication for any condition please ensure to bring your usual medication with you. Also please advise camp staff if you have any medical issues, illnesses or injuries when you check in. Your safety and well being is our top priority.

Question 2: What about meals?

Answer: Meals are not provided. You should come to the camp each day with snacks, foods and drinks to get you through a full day of swimming and learning. Think of it like a two day swim meet. Some things to pack in your bag could include:

• Water and / or sports drink
• Sandwiches or rolls (lean meat, cheese, chicken, salad)
• Fruit
• Fruit Muffins
• Pre-cooked noodles or pasta
• Sports bars / gels
• Museli bars

Also, plan to look for a healthy meal option on Saturday night so you can recover from the first day of the camp and get ready to get the most out of the second day.

Question 3: Will I be able to keep up?

Answer: Of course!!! The swimmers will be divided into groups of approximately equal ability. Once the camp starts, we may need to change swimmers from one group to another as we better understand their swimming abilities and fitness level.

We will notify all swimmers about which group they are in as soon as possible.

Question 4: What about mum and dad? Can they stay and watch?

Answer: Parents, carers and guests are very welcome to stay all day and watch any pool sessions. The only restriction on this is that it is preferable that parents don't try to talk to coaching staff while they are coaching as it is our commitment to provide a safe, enjoyable learning environment for every swimmer and we would prefer nothing to distract us from this most important task.

Question 5: Who will be coaching me?

Answer: Wayne will be the Head Coach for the camp and will work with every swimmer. During the pool sessions, swimmers will be working with qualified, accredited and experienced swimming coaches - our Group Coaches. We will also have coaches working on technique, skills, turns and other important aspects of swimming.


Question 6: What happens when I arrive in Echuca?

Answer: When you arrive in Echuca, head to the Pool and come to the registration desk. Tell the nice people at the registration desk your name and they will mark you off as having arrived. You will also be given your camp name tag, camp shirt and swim cap.

The registration desk will be open briefly from 5pm to 6pm on Friday October 7th.

The registration desk will also be open from 5:00 am on Saturday morning October 8th but it is strongly recommended that if possible swimmers register on the Friday afternoon.

Question 7: What will we be doing at the camp?

Answer: Learning some new things. Having fun. Meeting new people. Making new friends. And if we have time, we might even do a few laps.
There are three rules that we ask everyone to keep to at the camp:

1. Be on time and on time means be at the pool, ready to go ten minutes before your Group is scheduled to start.
2. Whilst you are at the camp, we are one team: one great big swimming family. We respect that you are all from different Clubs and may have different approaches to training but while we are together, we are one unified team, focused on helping each other realise our full potential.
3. There is a zero tolerance policy to violence, bullying, harrassment and foul language. The camp's success will be built on respect and honesty.  

Question 8: What can I do to prepare for the camp?

Answer:  It is a good idea to try and do some regular training over the next few weeks but there is no need to do anything special. Come to the camp fit and well and ready to learn.


Question 9: What about my home coach?

Answer: All coaches are welcome to come along. There is however a fee involved. Coaches who don't attend can contact Wayne before or after the camp to discuss any issues or concerns they may have. It is recommended that when you get back to your home program, you talk to your coach about what you did, show him / her your camp program and show them some of the things you learnt at the camp.

Coaches who are attending the camp should attend the Camp Coaches Workshop, to be held at the pool on Friday evening from so they can be fully briefed about the camp, the program, the schedule etc.


Question 10: So what's next?

Answer: I have some homework for you.

On a piece of paper, write your name at the top and then write down your answers to these three questions:

1. I believe that my strengths, that is the things I am best at doing are:
2. I believe that I have the potential to be anything and do anything because I..(finish the sentence);
3. The one thing I really want to learn at the Power of Potential camp is

When you arrive, please put your homework in the "homework box" - which will be in the registration area.

Apart from that, try to get some regular training in between now and the camp. Get yourself ready for what will be a great learning experience and we will see you in Echuca.