Harbour Swimmers Enjoy Training In Toronto
[Written by Stephen Wright]
A team from Harbour Swim Club have benefitted from an intense training and competition trip to Toronto, earning several personal bests at the Pan Am Open Swim Meet.
A team of 12 Harbour Gold Squad members spent five days honing their skills at Whitby Swim Club, training two hours twice a day in preparation for the short-course season as several look to qualify for the Carifta Aquatics Championships in the Bahamas in April.
Aged 12 to 16, the travelling party included Pharaoh Benevides, Gabby Cechini, Joey Cechini, Lila Connolly, Freya Lau, Noah Maranzana, Rory Shepard, Scarlett Spurling, Sienna Spurling, Sophie Wells, Katherine Wheddon and Dominic Wright.
Accompanying the team were coach Jenny Smatt, team managers Sarah Wheddon and Martin Weeks, and strength and conditioning coach Mandy Smith.
Smatt said the team also had the opportunity to tour the Canadian Sport Institute, a world-class Olympic and Paralympic training environment, and pick the brains of top swimmers Ella Jansen and Lorne Wiggington and coach Ryan Mallette.
“They had the opportunity to ask questions about what it takes to succeed on the world stage and some of the mindset strategies they use in training and competition,” Smatt told Bernews.
“They see these guys on TV, but they live in a different world, so meeting them personalises it and inspires them to reach that level.
“It fuels our swimmers to work harder, train harder and dream bigger.”
Smatt said she was impressed by how the youngsters handled the extra pressure of competing at the Pan Am Open Swim Meet despite the arduous week of training.
“They had to overcome a level of nervousness and anxiety as several had never competed at a meet this size internationally,” she said.
“It not only brought out their competitive spirit but also, as a result of their success, has increased their confidence in their ability as well as having a sense that they belong in the mix at this level of competition beyond Bermuda’s shores.”
Great stuff. Wonderful exposure for them. Extreme insight and opportunity by the coach.