In Performance swimming, knowing a time is only the starting point. Swimmers need to understand whether it matched the task and how their pace changed across the set. This guide builds on the clock-reading and lane habits covered in Using the Pace Clock: The Skill Every Swimmer Needs to Master. Know Your Times and Know Why Three pieces of information matter: Target pace: The time you are aiming to hold. Cycle time: The time from one start to the next, including s

August often brings a welcome change of pace for young swimmers. Depending on the squad, there may be two or three weeks with almost no swimming followed by a reduced timetable of between two and four sessions a week. Later mornings, fewer commitments and more relaxed routines quickly become normal. Then September arrives. The full training timetable returns alongside school, homework and other activities. Swimmers who have become used to lying in may suddenly be setting a

Bluefins Finish 7th Overall in the South East Region The South East Region is widely regarded as one of the strongest swimming regions in the country, making the Regional Championships an important benchmark for club performance. At the 2026 South East Regional Championships, Basingstoke Bluefins finished 7th overall in the regional club rankings, placing the club amongst the leading programmes in the South East. Representing the club across the Championships were 34 swimm

In age-group swimming it is common to see some swimmers dominate races at younger ages while others develop more gradually. They win races, collect medals and appear stronger than their peers. From the outside it can look like the beginning of a long and successful sporting journey. Early success is something to celebrate. Strong results often reflect commitment in training, supportive coaching and developing skills in the water. Many swimmers who perform well at younger ag

Entering three teams into the National Arena Swimming League is a deliberate and important part of the Bluefins pathway. It is also no small undertaking. Ask any head coach what it takes to field just one Arena League team and they’ll tell you — the task is enormous. Selection planning, eligibility checks, availability juggling, relay construction, squad balance, logistics, travel, and contingency planning all sit behind the scenes.