A good training session does not start when swimmers dive in. It starts before they even touch the water. A land warm up prepares both body and mind for the work ahead. When done properly, it improves movement quality, supports healthier joints and reduces the risk of injury as training demands increase. For many swimmers, it also sets the tone for how well the session begins.

A Parent Guide for early Swimmers Aged 9–12 Swimming development is not linear. Periods where progress appears to slow or feel inconsistent are a normal part of long-term development in a technically complex sport. Swimming is trained in a uniquely demanding environment Competitive training squads do not operate like swimming lessons — there are no tick boxes or fixed completion stages.

Goal setting becomes increasingly important as swimmers move into the Age Group Performance stage. Training volume increases, competition standards rise, and swimmers begin to experience the pressure of expectations — both internal and external. At this stage, goals are no longer just about what swimmers want to achieve, but how they approach their training, racing, and daily habits. This guide explains how Outcome, Performance, and Process Goals work together

Understanding the higher entry standards As swimmers progress through competitive swimming, questions naturally shift from “What are Counties?” to “What comes next?” For many swimmers, that next step is the Swim England South East Region Long Course Championships — often referred to simply as Regionals. For 2026, the entry standards are faster than in previous seasons.

The new season has begun with real momentum — and our swimmers have wasted no time setting the standard. Each month, we highlight individuals who bring the right blend of effort, attitude, consistency, and skill to every session. Our Top Swimmer awards recognise those who don’t just perform well in the pool, but who train the right way: • they embrace feedback • they chase improvement • they show discipline and focus • they support their lane