The Estevan Golden Eels Swim Club began its season with an inaugural swim camp at the R.M. of Estevan Aquatc Centre on May 8 and 9, as there were 37 youth who participated.
The head coach for the Regina Optimist Dolphin Swim Club and the University of Regina swim team Abdahermane Tissera was at the camp to help improve the youths’ swimming techniques.
Along with Tissera there were four other swimmers who have competed at the provincial level.
“Having an outside instructor bring in four swimmers, who are provincial team swimmers, who are from a … different system …I think they'll just get a boost in their knowledge,” president of the Eels swim club Tania Andrist said.
At the camp, members of the Golden Eels learned different development techniques from the guest coaches.
“Hopefully, they (the guest coaches) can pass on some tricks and notice some things about our swimmers that maybe our coaches don't pick up on, necessarily, but some tricks to increase their speed, Andrist said.
With this being the first time the Eels have hosted a swim camp, Andrist believes it gives the team a chance develop without having to go out of town to learn from other coaches.
There are around 80 swimmers in the Golden Eels swim program and the camp was open to ages nine and above.
Since this camp is to help the swimmers improve on the technical side of speed swimming, Andrist said the nine and above age group would get the most out of what was offered because they are more focused than the younger swimmers.
The camp was also an opportunity for the youth to get more practice time in the water before they start competing at swim meets.
“We’ve only had one week in the water, so hopefully, it’ll give them a good start, and … a better understanding of what they need to work on to improve for the season,” coach Cassidy Reich said.
She also thinks camps like these are great for team bonding and the youth should take away, at least, one improving their swimming skills.
“Hopefully, they learn that they like the stroke better than a different stroke or … improve their kick or their start, or anything,” Reich said.
Next up for the Golden Eels is their annual mini-meet on June 3, at the R.M. of Estevan Aquatic Centre.
