Guernsey Swimming Club has held its first training camp in a decade, with 17 of its competitive swimmers travelling to Mount Kelly in Devon for eight days of intensive training during October half-term.
The camp gave the GSC swimmers from its middle and senior competitive squads the chance to experience a different training environment and benefit from facilities unavailable in Guernsey.
Over the eight days, the group completed 28 hours of training in Mount Kelly’s 50-metre pool, gaining valuable experience of long-course swimming alongside coaching input from the school’s swimming programme.
The change of environment provided an opportunity for swimmers to work on their technique, endurance and race preparation, with sessions designed to challenge them beyond their usual weekly routines.
The programme also included land-based strength and conditioning sessions delivered by Mount Kelly’s coaching team, complementing the work undertaken in the pool.
For many of those involved, the camp offered more than an opportunity to improve their swimming. Spending eight days together also allowed swimmers from different squads to build stronger relationships, encourage one another through demanding sessions and develop a greater sense of team spirit.
Senior squad swimmer Sam Cann commented that ‘’the camp was a great experience. Having the opportunity to train in a 50m pool was something I really enjoy even if it was hard work as we’re not used to this distance. I hope the additional training will help me for the rest of the season.’’
Head Coach Matt Butt said the return of training camps had been a worthwhile undertaking for the club “Being able to spend that amount of time training in a 50-metre pool, while also benefiting from the coaching at Mount Kelly, was a valuable experience for the whole group.”
The trip comes as Guernsey Swimming Club continues to develop its competitive programme, with opportunities to train in a 50-metre pool particularly valuable for island swimmers whose regular training takes place in shorter pools.
With the 2027 County Championships approaching, the club will be hoping the benefits of the week in Devon carry through into both training and competition over the coming months.
