2 States, 1 Team living the dream...
31 swimmers and 15 support staff from Queensland and New South Wales travelled from their home programs to unite as team LA Dreaming at the AIS, in the nation’s capital for a weeklong training camp.
The goal of the combined Flippers camp was to refine racing skills under pressure and work on the all too important 1% that could break swimmers onto the Australian Dolphins team.
Swimmers were split into three groups: IM & Breaststroke, Distance and Sprint. Each group were assigned two head coaches and one sports scientist to assist with their training and skill development throughout the week.
During this seven-day camp, Team LA Dreaming had several requirements they needed to complete. These requirements included training, racing skill acquisition, testing and competition.
Swimmers completed eight pool training sessions, five gym sessions, two group fitness classes in conjunction with two days competing at the ACT Championships and testing as prescribed by Swimming Australia.
Swimmers were given access throughout the camp to video analysis and one on one sessions with support staff, to analyse and formulate strategies for improving racing skills for maximum performance.
Three themes were evident throughout the duration of the camp:
- Self Reflection
- Resilience
- Mateship
These three values are steeped in the Australian culture and maintained whenever a swimmer becomes a part of the esteemed Australian Dolphins.
Members of LA Dreaming were challenged in both their thinking and execution of racing skills, as conversations and discussions were had amongst swimmers and support staff throughout the week. Three key skills were analysed, practiced, and executed over the course of the week: underwater kick speed, body position throughout the Breakout and legal and efficient Crossover turns.
As the camp continued, recovery strategies were challenged and implemented to ensure all swimmers were able to gain the most out of the Flippers camp. Flexibility, mobility, and adaptability became evident and highlighted both strengths and weaknesses across our 31 strong team.
NSWIS Strength and Conditioning Coach, Bec Dowse conducted both pre- training and pre-racing activation sessions for the swimmers, which were used throughout the week. Bec instilled in our swimmers the importance of warming up and engaging each muscle group in preparation for high performance while training or racing.
These activation sessions were key in the vast improvements of swimmers’ positions on the blocks, the trajectory when pushing off the walls and the reactive power required for a sharp, yet efficient turn.
Swimmers spent time throughout the week analysing their Diving and Underwater skills, even comparing their own racing skills data against the best in the world.
Jon Shaw, introduced the idea of skill acquisition and the analysis which occurs of swimmers at the highest level. This allowed swimmers to see evidence-based facts of fundamental racing skills, which when implemented on a daily basis, can be the difference between executing your race plan and making a costly mistake.
Swimmers undertook testing as prescribed by Swimming Australia. Swimmers were asked to complete a 25m Dive Start, 50m Max effort and a 25m Build. These swims were broken down into Start time, Turn time and Finish time, while being recorded with the underwater dolly. An invaluable tool for swimmers hoping to step onto the Australian Dolphins team in 2028.
Swimmers competed at the two-day ACT Championships with some outstanding results:
- 18 records broken.
- 47 medals.
- 63% Personal Best rate.
The oldest record broken had previously stood for 28 years, with two others, previously held for 24 years. These were outstanding results for team LA Dreaming, who’s goal at these championships, wasn’t to achieve podium finishes but to improve racing skills while performing under pressure. These results resounded with members of LA Dreaming and confirmed the importance of executing a skilful and efficient race.
In the true spirit of good old fashioned aussie fun, Head Coach, Shaun Crow spent time with swimmers teaching the art of maintaining balance and control, throughout a relay changeover.
Swimmers were given three diving drills to teach sighting, head position and single point entries. Swimmers were challenged as they practiced core control, speed and accuracy in order to complete a fast and safe relay changeover.
A big thank you to all staff and swimmers involved in the combined QLD and NSW Flippers Camp.
Team Managers: Billy Nicholson & Sophie Walker
Coaching Director: Jon Shaw
Head Coaches: Shaun Crow & Justin Rothwell
Specialist Coaches: Nick Dobson, Leanne Speechly, Jason Cooper, Mitch Brown, Brad Hillier, Josh Smith, Sarah Caithness & Tatiana Matts
Sports Scientists: Gio Postiglione, Sean Byrne, Ethan Forge & Rebecca Dowse
This was an incredible opportunity for support staff and swimmers alike.
I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone for their wonderful input, their endless energy and unwavering commitment to making this the most successful and enjoyable camp I’ve had the pleasure of coaching on.
The passion our support staff exuded throughout the camp was contagious, and swimmers couldn’t help but get excited about the changes being trialled and implemented throughout the camp.
Our dream is to see members of LA Dreaming compete on the world stage, for the Australian Dolphins Junior and Senior teams.
As support staff we look forward to team LA Dreaming going down in history as world-class athletes, who compete with integrity, respect, and sportsmanship of the highest honour.
Thank you to everyone who made this possible. I can’t wait to see who becomes the next Australian Dolphin. Tatiana Matts
