Olympic Swimming Star Fact Files: Michael Phelps

Name: Michael Phelps

Date of birth: 30 June 1985

Country: Baltimore, USA

Height:1.93m

Coach:Bob Bowman

Michael Phelps is one of the greatest Olympians of all time, with 16 Olympic medals – 14 of them gold. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics he became the first and only Olympian to win eight gold medals, beating the record of seven set by fellow swimmer Mark Spitz at the 1972 Munich Games.

Important Notice: Stretching

Please remember and be advised:

Swimmers must be stretching at least 3/4 times a week during the Christmas holidays!

This is done to ensure that you keep your muscles in a reasonably flexible state so that when were back in the pool we can minimise injuries!

Each set of stretching takes no longer than 15 minutes. You can choose when to do it as long as you have stretched 3/4 times during that week. So its only going to take 45/60 minutes of your time.

Why?

"Stretching helps reduce muscle tension, improves flexibility and posture, and reduces your chance of injury..." NHS Choices

If you want to find out more about stretching and why it is important please ask your coach.

Access the website here: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/olympics/Pages/Trainingtips.aspx


Its definitely worth it!

Presidents Night - Sunday 18th December 2011

Hope you all had a great time at the Presentation evening last weekend! It was fantastic to see so many of you there!

Don't forget that this Sunday is Presidents Night (Fun Night) at VPLC! 

Starting at 3pm till 6pm!

Slides, inflatables, balls, floats etc! :D

Make sure your there!! 

Inspiration & Motivation

The water is your friend. You don't have to fight with water; just share the same spirit as the water, and it will help you move.

Alexander Popov

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

To all at Ilkeston Swimming Club,

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Third Round - Arena League 2011

Well done to everyone that took part last weekend at Tamworth and through all three rounds of the Arena League. Everyone has shown a big improvement from last year so we must takes this into next year and develop even further. Good results all round especially after a late night of partying at the presentation night!!

So that's the final round of the Arena League until 2012. But don't worry we'll be back in the pool racing again after the christmas break in the Leicester League and various other open meets!

Well done!

Long Eaton Open Meet 2012

If there are any Ilkeston swimmers interested in doing the Long Eaton Open Meet the details are below!

Please make sure that you hand your forms in before next monday!

Use the links below for more information on the meet and qualifying times can be obtained from the address:

http://www.longeatonswimmingclub.org.uk/OpenMeet2012.htm

Event: Long Eaton Open Meet
Date: Sunday 29th January 2012
Venue: Queens Leisure Centre Derby

We want to take a big team with us so if your interested get your forms fast to avoid disapointment!

This would also be a good opportunity to gain County Championship and Midland qualifying times!

Please hand your forms into Teresa or Rob!

Many Thanks

The Arena League - Tamworth

As you are all aware the final meet/gala of the season is at Tamworth in the third and final round of the Arena League! As its the last meet of the season (2011) before the Christmas break lets use it to gain more personal bests and a last big push to get a good position in the league.

Everyone's effort and the team spirit has been outstanding so far so keep it up and lets go for it!!

COMMON ILKESTON S.C!!

Inspiration & Motivation

"There is water in every lane, so it is OK."

Ian Thorpe (on being in Lane 5 for a final).

============================================================

Don't let things that you can't control freak you out!

The uncontrollable cannot be controlled...

Think about your race and no one elses!

Let everyone else worry about you... 

Its all about your swimming, the lane rope and water is just there to guide you.  

Ilkeston Take Second at JC Dobbs Memorial Trophy - Lamas Leisure Centre

Congratulations to all swimmers that swam on Saturday night at the Lamas Centre in the JC Dobbs Memorial Trophy! Everyone's great swimming throughout the season in the Dobbs has seen Ilkeston pick up an overall second place which is fantastic news!!

There was only 8 points in it between Ilkeston and Kimberley who denied us of first place.

However, based on the performances that we have seen and know that you are capable of we can now take this into the new season and build on it! Next year our aim is to finish top of the league which is definitely within our reach!

So, well done to all and keep training hard. Great Result!

Ilkeston's Presentation Evening 2011

IMPORTANT MESSAGE:

Please make sure you have got your presentation evening tickets for Friday 9th December 2011!

These can be purchased and collected from Sue!

See you there!

Many Thanks

Poll Results: What is your favourite 50m Swimming event?

You said...

50m Freestyle	0%
50m Back	33%
50m Breast	16%
50m Fly	50%

**************************WINNER - 50m FLY*************************

J.C Dobbs Trophy - Lamas Centre Sutton

For Swimmers that have been selected to race at the J.C Dobbs gala:

The details are below:

Date: Saturday 3rd December 2011
Venue: Lamas Centre Sutton in Ashfield

Address:

Lammas Leisure Centre
Lammas Road
Sutton-in-Ashfield
Notts NG17 2AD

Warm Up: 6:30pm

Lets see some more top swimming like last weekend at Hucknall!

See you there!

Common ILKESTON!!!

Final Fixtures For 2011

Here are the final set of Fixtures for the 2011 season:

Keep up the hard work in training!


Saturday 3rd December 2011 
Event: JC Dobb Trophy
Venue: Lammas Leisure Centre, Sutton
Warm up: 18:30pm

Friday 9th December 2011
Event: Presentation Night
Venue: Kirk Hallam Social Club
Start: 19:00pm

If you still haven't purchased tickets please see Sue! 


Saturday 10th December 2011 
Event: Arena League Round 3
Venue: Tamworth Snowdome
Warm up: 18:00pm


Sunday 18th December 2011 
Event:Presidents Night
Venue: VPLC
Start 15:00pm

The Leicester Winter League 2012

We welcome the Leicester Winter League back into our schedule next year staring with:

Date: Saturday 7th January 2012
Venue: Market Harborough
Warm up: 18:00pm

More details and the squad will be announced towards the time of the event!

Inspiration & Motivation

"With so many people saying it couldn't be done, all it takes is an imagination."

Michael Phelps

Arena League Draw - 3rd Round - Tamworth Snowdome

Ilkeston Swimmers that have been selected for the Arena League Round 3 draw at Tamworth!

Here are the details:

Arena League (Round 3) @ Tamworth Snowdome 

Saturday 10^th December 2011

Warm Up: 18:00pm

Venue:

The Snowdome, Leisure Island, River Drive, Tamworth, Staffordshire B79 7ND

 Common Ilkeston!

So, it's the same place as Round 2! See you there!

P.S - Don't forget that Starbucks is there!

CONGRATULATIONS ALL! - TOP SPOT AT JC DOBBS!

Winners: Ilkeston Swimming Club

Trophy: JC Dobbs Memorial Trophy

Saturday 26th November 2011

Ilkeston Swimmers Earn Top Spot at JC DOBBS Memorial Trophy

Ilkeston were racing at Hucknall last Saturday night in the JC DOBBS trophy which turned out to be a night to remember with Ilkeston swimmers swimming at their best to take the silverware! The top spot finish saw Ilkeston swimmers beat off the likes of Kimberley and Portland.

A big well done to all swimmers that took part, it was a great night for the club, so a big pat on the back for your efforts! You all did great! Your continuous efforts, hard work and great racing is constantly impressing us!

Remember next weekend were back in action again but this time at the Lamas Centre in Sutton for the final round of the DOBBS trophy for this year! Let's finish in style and pull those great swims out of the bag again like last weekend!

Once again well done to all involved and thank you to the coaches on poolside and parents in the viewing galleries for your support!

Inspiration & Motivation - Never Give Up!

"I saw my name: THOMAS, Petria. Saw my time, 57.72. Saw the number one next to them. I'd done it. Me! Petria Thomas, Olympic champion. The feeling inside was one of pure, utter joy. Excitement, disbelief, relief, hapiness, amazement, the whole works. Id worked so hard. I'd gone through so much, privately, publicly. I'd lost faith in myself and found it again. I'd sometimes stopped believing that I could do it and that I had a purpose in life. I'd come through the darkness, and this, this moment, was the sweetest, most amazing light there could possibly be. I was alive and loving it!"

Petria Thomas, Athens Gold Medallist

J.C. Dobbs - Hucknall - Saturday 26th November 2011

Swimmers that have been selected for the J.C. Dobbs gala on Saturday:

Venue: Hucknall Leisure Centre

Date: Saturday 26th November 2011

Warm up: 6:00pm

Start: 6:30pm

Please remember that no fizzy drinks during swimming racing are allowed!

You can drink it as a reward for afterwards only when the gala/open is completed! 

STILL DRINKS ONLY PLEASE!!

If you don't know why fizzy drinks are not allowed then please ask your coach.

Thank you for your co-operation...

Photo's Tonight - Ponds Forge 2011

Can all swimmers that swam yesterday in the County Sprints please bring your Ilkeston T-Shirts and anything you won as we will be taking photo's!

Many Thanks!

Derbyshire County Sprints - Success at Sheffield

THE TREMENDOUS TWELVE...

Yesterday, a small team of Ilkeston Swimmers made the trip to Sheffield to swim in the ASA Derbyshire County Sprints at Ponds Forge International 50m Pool. Everyone that went swam personal bests in nearly every race and gave tremendous performances in a very challenging pool to say the least!

Ponds Forge has been the host of several important swimming competitions in the past, present and no doubt the future too. Great swimmers from Team GB like Rebecca Adlington, Ross Davenport, Liam Tancock and many more have stepped up on to the block and plunged into the pool! You never know, you could of been standing where they were?

So, this is a great opportunity and well worth while to race here!

Swimmers arrived at the venue around 7:45am ready and raring to go. However, there was a sense of nerves present in some of our younger swimmers and their parents as it was there first time at the County Sprints and Ponds Forge! This was soon a distance memory of the past as swimmers begun their warm ups and got used to the facilities and the cool temperature of the pool.

Of course once the first race was completed they wanted the next one! The team spirit was superb and you were all great ambassadors for your club!

All Ilkeston swimmers had very difficult age groups to swim in coming up against some of the top swimmers in the county. But that didn't stop them at all, everyone pulled together and as a team we recorded:

Personal Bests: 24

The most important thing of all is that everyone recorded new personal best times in a 50m pool and absolutely hammered their previous times knocking off anything up to 7 seconds off their current time! This just goes to show that anything is possible!  

Silver Medals: 2
Silver Medals coming from Ben Saunders and Rob Hudson

Bronze Medals: 4
Bronze Medals coming from Ben Saunders, Connor Donson (x2) and Rob Hudson

Top 6 Finishes: 10

Top 10 Finishes: 16

Congratulations go to these swimmers:

Lauren Booth
Lewis Davies
Connor Donson
Cameron Halliday
Kyle Hudson
Rob Hudson
Collin Lawson
Emily Middleton
Ben Saunders
Shannen Sidoli
Abigail Sloan
Grace Vivian

A massive thanks goes to the parents for their encouragement and support of the swimmers, it is much appreciated! Everyone had a really good day and it showed! You were all fantastic!! A lot of people on a off poolside were singing your praises so well done on that note too.

Remember that County Championships is coming up in March so keep training hard and try to gain qualifying times for that event!

You have made all the coaches and parents very proud! Congratulations to all and well done once again!  

Ponds Forge County Sprints 2011

Swimmers that are racing in the County Sprints tomorrow here are the details!

Venue: Ponds Forge, Sheffield

Address:
Ponds Forge International Sports Centre
Sheaf Street
Sheffield
S1 2BP
(For Sat Nav's use: S1 1AA)

Warm Up Time: 8:30am

Warm Up in the pool starts at 8:30am therefore can all swimmers aim to be on poolside for 8:00am so that we can stretch and warm up together! And we need to find a seating area for the club to sit in as well!!

Make sure you bring lots of drinks for the day to keep hydrated!

Try and get a good nights sleep so your feeling energised and ready for a day of racing!

Have fun and lets get loads of PB's!

Common Ilkeston!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See you Sunday!!

The Midland Championships 2012

The qualifying times for the 2012 Midland Championships are now online and can be viewed at this address:

http://www.midlandchampionships.org.uk/entry/index.htm

Inspiration & Motivation

"I enjoyed every bit of my swimming career. I think that's the most important advice — to enjoy what you do".

Summer Sanders - 1992 double gold medallist

Presentation Night - 9th December 2011

Remember that Presentation Night is on Friday 9th December!

Tickets are now on sale. To purchase your tickets please see Sue!

See you there

Fluid Intake - Drinks

It has been noticed that a few swimmers have been drinking fizzy sports drinks!

Can swimmers please be reminded that fizzy sports drinks are not allowed! These should NOT be drunk whilst at competitions or training as it can interfere with your swimming performance. Swimmers are advised to drink still drinks to rule out any possible chances of getting stitch during a swim or at training.

So, why is the fizzy stuff out?????

Gas
Swimmers are left feeling bloated or gaseous. This leads to swimmers being weighed down and prevents you from achieving a top performance during your meets and galas.

Sugar
Too much sugar in the drinks! This could lead to a disapointing result for the swimmer.

Caffeine 
Most fizzy sports drinks contain caffeine and this can harm your performance due to:
- Lack of sleep (Pre-Race Nerves or trouble sleeping after a meet)
- Dehydration (drink lots of water)
- Gives you the shakes
- Headaches (Also, due to dehydration)

Salts
Large amount of salts are in the fizzy drinks which increases your thirst making you even more thirsty!
Due to the hot humid air on poolside swimmers constantly sweat so its important to drink (sip) lots of water and still drinks!


Please make every effort to buy a STILL sports isotonic drink or juice and/or water.

It is also advised that if swimmers choose to drink sports drinks they drink them with water and in moderation.

If your unsure please speak to your coach! Many Thanks

Super Swimming at the Snowdome - Arena League 2 - Tamworth

Ilkeston Swimming Club were at Tamworth Snowdome on Saturday night in the second round of the National Arena Swimming League. Ilkeston were up against the likes of Tamworth, Dove Valley and Welshpool Sharks!

Commanding displays from Swimmers saw Ilkeston gain a solid and well earned third spot. A great team effort bursting with energy which could clearly be seen in your swims! Well done to all and thankyou to parents and everyone on poolside!

Total places gained (position):

1st - 9
2nd - 12
3rd - 16
4th - 13  

The team sheet results are up on the I.S.C website and can be found here:

http://www.ilkestonswimmingclub.co.uk/results_times/default.html

Very few points between third place and first place. Point totals and positions can be seen below!

1st - Tamworth - 248            
2nd - Dove Valley - 231
3rd - Ilkeston - 217
4th - Welshpool Sharks - 172

Then to round it off, we finished round two in style, with a visit to Starbucks for a well earned drink!!


Ponds Forge ASA Derbyshire County Sprints are up next on Sunday 20th November 2011!

Lets carry these cracking performances, hard work and team spirit to Ponds Forge this weekend!

So keep training hard and please remember to keep stretching before and after sessions as well as at home, it is a vital part of a success performance.  

Once again well done to everyone!

Inspiration & Motivation

I concentrate on preparing to swim my race and let the other swimmers think about me, not me about them.

Amanda Beard

Club Championships 2011

Well done to everyone that swam in the Club Championships last night at VPLC! A lot of personal best times, breaking of club and championship records and really fast swims! You were all fantastic, congratulations to all and once again well done!

A big thank you to everyone on poolside that helped out and the parents for their support and encouragement! Thank you!

Lets replicate the same performances as last night and take them into the Arena League Round 2 at Tamworth this weekend!

Common ILKESTON!!

Ponds Forge 2011 - Draft Programme

The draft programme for Ponds Forge Sprints at Sheffield can be obtained from the below address:

http://www.competitions.derbyshireswimming.org.uk/SP2011/Progs/SP11_ProgramDraftweb.pdf

It looks quite interesting...

Anyone with any problems must contact their coach and Joyce Mellor:

Ponds Forge Sheffield .... 20th November 2011

(Under ASA Laws & ASA Technical Rules of Swimming)

2nd Nov Click here for a DRAFT Programme (for screen viewing only)
Please report any errors to Joyce Mellor before 11th November.

Here contact details can be found on the ASA Derbyshire Website or alternatively speak to your coach or club official for more help/details!

ONLY 268 DAYS TILL THE LONDON 2012 OLYMPICS

Only 268 days until the 2012 Olympics Games kick off in London!
Then 301 days to go until the Paralympic Games start!

Olympic Games 27 July-12 Aug 2012

Paralympic Games 29 Aug-9 Sept 2012

Are you looking forward to it????

Make sure your watching the Swimming on TV!

Official site of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games:

http://www.london2012.com/ 

The Swimming Page:

http://www.london2012.com/swimming

Or why not try making your very own mascot? Follow the link below:

http://mascot-games.london2012.com/#/customiser

Are you eating your 5 a day?

Do you have your 5 a day??

Try to make sure your eating plenty of fruit and vegetables especially in the next coming months to keep fit and healthy for Open Meets, County Sprints and Galas!

Your 5 A DAY is really important for your body to provide it with vitimins, minerals, nutrients and fibre to keep it going! And its delicious! :D    

Get your 5 a day chart download here:
http://www.cssc.co.uk/web/FILES/HealthKick/5-a-day_Chart.pdf

The Arena League Round 2 Details

Arena League (Round 2) @ Tamworth Snowdome 

Saturday 12^th November 2011

Warm Up: 18:00pm

Venue:

The Snowdome, Leisure Island, River Drive, Tamworth, Staffordshire B79 7ND

                                              Common Ilkeston!

Motivation and Inspiration

"The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person's determination." - Tommy Lasorda

The blueseventy website

Have a look at the blueseventy website!!

For the club discount code, please see Rob!

http://www.blueseventy.com/store/uk/home.php

Ponds Forge - Derbyshire ASA County Sprints 2011

Ponds Forge Sprints are fast approaching! This is a fantastic event as it is held in the 50m International Pool in Sheffield. This is where many swimmers get there first experience of swimming in a 50m Swimming Pool!

Want to see the pool:

http://www.ponds-forge.co.uk/lane_swimming/

Date: Sunday 20th November 2011
Venue: Ponds Forge International Pool, Sheffield
Warm up: 8:30am (be on poolside for 8:00am)
Start: 9:30am

You can obtain draft programmes online (not up as yet) and further information from these links:

http://www.competitions.derbyshireswimming.org.uk/index.html

http://www.competitions.derbyshireswimming.org.uk/SP2011/DASASprints2011EntryInfo.pdf

Make sure you've got plenty of drinks for the day!

Lets see lots of fast swims and personal best times!
Good Luck! Common Ilkeston!!!

Club Championships 2011

Reminder for all Swimmers that have entered Club Champs!

Event: Club Championships 2011
Date: Sunday 6th November 2011
Venue: VPLC, Ilkeston
Warm up: 13:00pm

There will be a break around 15:30pm for 1 hour

Second Session Warm up: 16:30pm

All races to be completed on the day by 19:00pm

Please arrive promptly in order for a smooth running of the event!

Good Luck!

Belper Marlins Open Meet 2011 "Ghoul in the Pool"

Yesterday Ilkeston Swimmers were at the Belper Marlins Open Meet!

There were some fantastic swims! Well done to all swimmers that were there.

A great team effort, in total, the team posted 24 personal best times! Tremendous work for the small number of swimmers that were there!  

A full report will be posted shortly and the link where results can be found.  

The Ilkeston Swimming Club Fixtures

Upcoming Fixtures:

30th October 2011 - Ghoul in the Pool (Belper Open) @ Queens Street Leisure Centre, Derby

6th November 2011 - Club Championships @ VPLC, Ilkeston - 13:00 warm-up

12th November 2011 - Arena League Round 2 @ Tamworth Snowdome 
(The Snowdome, Leisure Island, River Drive, Tamworth, Staffs   B79 7ND - warm-up 18:00)

13th November 2011 - Teaching Pool Fun Night  - See Sue for details

20th November 2011 - Derbyshire ASA County Sprints @ Ponds Forge, Sheffield

26th November 2011 - JC Dobb @ Hucknall Leisure Centre -  warm-up 18:00

3rd December 2011 - JC Dobb @ Lammas Leisure Centre, Sutton - warm-up 18:30

9th December 2011 - Presentation Night @ Kirk Hallam Social Club, starts at 19:00

10th December 2011 - Arena League Round 3 (Location and Time TBC)

18th December 2011 - Presidents Night!!, starts at 15:00


Upcoming events and club fixtures can also be obtained from this address:

http://www.ilkestonswimmingclub.co.uk/calendar_fixtures/default.html

Does your mind take over your swimming race?

The difference between a positive attitude and a negative attitude could be the difference between first place or last place. The constant battle of nerves, and psychological effects overwhelm and play with your mind.

Are you a positive thinker or a negative thinker?
What do you think before you race??

If your saying/thinking to yourself:
I can't...
I won't...
I'm not good enough...
Everyone is better than me...
What's the point...
I've already lost...

Instead, replace your negative thoughts and turn them into positive thoughts and actions!

Then say/think:
I can do...
I will do...
I am able to...
I am good enough...

You are good enough!


Train hard, think positive and race as fast as you can!!

Ilkeston Swimmers Raise Money For Charity - Well Done

Well done to Gemma Gough, Kyle Hudson, Ben Saunders and Rob Hudson on your Running and Swimming events for raising sponsorship money for Cancer charities! Fantastic work!

You can see the article online on the Ilkeston Advertiser (See the link below):
http://www.ilkestonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/swimmers_raise_money_for_charity_1_3860339


Swimmers raise money for charity

Published on Saturday 15 October 2011 11:46

MEMBERS of Ilkeston Swimming Club have taken to both land and water to raise money for two cancer charities.


Kyle Hudson, Rob Hudson and Ben Saunders took part in the Derby Gem 106 3k Fun Run in April, raising £228 for Cancer Research UK.The three senior elite club swimmers ran as a team posting a remarkable time of 15 minutes given the little running experience and training under their belts.

Rob said: “We would like to thank everyone for their tremendous support, encouragement and sponsorship money.“We are looking forward to taking part in the run next year and beating our previous time.”

Meanwhile, clubmate Gemma Gough braved the cold and murky waters of the River Thames in London to raise money for MacMillan Cancer Support. The teenager, who also swims in the senior elite squad, overcame the currents, ripples and poor visibility to complete the Great London One Mile Swim in Docklands in 27mins 49secs and raised £133.


Great Work Everyone!! :D
  

Reminder of Belper Meet Details

Belper Marlins Open Meet "Ghoul in the Pool" 2011

Sunday 30th October 2011
Morning Session:
Warm up: 8:30am
Start: 9:15am
Estimated Finish Time: 12:15pm (approximate times*)

Afternoon Session:
Warm up: 13:15pm
Start: 14:00
Estimated Finish Time: 17:00pm (approximate times*)

Venue: Queens Leisure Centre, Derby

For more information, visit the Belper Marlins website:

http://www.belpermarlin.co.uk/sites/default/files/html-files/Open11/index.htm

Good Luck to all Ilkeston S.C Swimmers!

Inspiration and Motivation

"I wouldn't say anything is impossible. I think that everything is possible as long as you put your mind to it and put the work and time into it". - Michael Phelps

Welcome to the Ilkeston Swimming Club Blog

Welcome to all Swimmers, Coaches and Parent's to the first ever Ilkeston Swimming Club Blogspot! This area has been created to recognise achievements, to give you updates on news and information which will link in well with the new club website.
This is our first week (Saturday 22/10/2011) back in the main pool at the newly refurbished Victoria Park Leisure Centre!

Many challenges lie ahead with the new season already underway! The next open meet is the Belper Marlins Ghoul in the Pool Meet! Common ILKESTON!!

Please visit the website and blog on a regular basis to keep up to date with the latest news and information at Ilkeston S.C.