Pool Swimming
| Level 1 | For: New to swimming, starting out in triathlons, learning or relearning basic elements of how to swim. Requirement: Swim 2-4 x lengths front crawl continuously, ideally in the pool 2-3 times per week. Objective: Focus on establishing good swim technique and relaxed breathing. Build confidence in the water. |
| Level 2 | For: Completed Level 1 swimming in the past twelve months or swimmers who can do for 7+ lengths front crawl with head submerged and without using breast stroke. Requirement: Continuous swim up to 200 metres, ideally in the pool 2-3 times per week. Bilateral breathing pattern (i.e. on both sides) preferred but not essential. Objective: Improve technique beyond fundamentals of body roll/position and build on aerobic ability. |
| Level 3 | For: Those who do their own structured swim sessions but want to increase speed and endurance. Requirement: 750 metre sprint distance in approximately 13-17 minutes, ideally in the pool 2-3 times per week. Should roughly know their race pace for a given distance. Objective: Improve technique beyond fundamentals of body roll/position and build on aerobic ability. |
| Level 4 | For: Knows which drills and aerobic swimming to do to improve, but acknowledges that coaches can help get them to the promised land quicker. Requirement: Swims 1,000-2,000 metres to benefit fully from coaching. Bilateral breathing pattern (ie on both sides) preferred but not essential. Should know target race pace and speed levels for reps. Objective: Aerobic swimming with specific stroke advice on key weaknesses. |
Location
Roscommon Leisure Centre,
Ardnanagh,
Roscommon Town
Swim Costs
You need to be a Member of LTC and have a Triathlon Ireland licence to attend Club swimming sessions for insurance reasons. Swimming sessions are charged at €6.00 per session (may be subject to change) regardless of whether you have an existing membership of Roscommon Leisure Centre.
Note: that the Club hires the pool specifically for its swimming session.
Pool Etiquette
- Judge the pace – lanes are usually marked slow, medium and fast, but it’s up to you to judge where you fit compared to other swimmers.
- Getting in – take care entering the water. Subject to the rules of the swimming pool, it may be ok to jump or dive in if the area around you is clear, but you should never dive in if the depth is less than 1.8 metres.
- Foot tapping – this is the universal gesture among Club swimmers – if you want to overtake, gently touch the toes of the swimmer in front (they should pause at the end of the lane to let you pass).
- Resting at the end of a lane – stay tucked into the corner if resting between sets so other swimmers have room to turn and push off. But be aware you could be encroaching on swimmers in the neighbouring lane, too.
- Tumble turns – only use this manoeuvre if you are confident there is no one behind you because you might collide as they reach the end of the lane while you’re still flipping over. If the coast is clear, make sure you exit the wall on the other side of the lane. The same applies to pushing off. Use of tumble turns will be advised by the swim coach.
- If in doubt, use common sense – generally it’s about awareness of others rather than a set of rules. If the fast lane is empty and the slow is occupied, it’s OK to use the fast one, but show courtesy and move if others get in.
- Lane rage – most people would appreciate a conversation more than being cut up or aggressively toe-tapped. If someone becomes hostile, don’t argue. Try politeness first, and then speak to the session leader if you need to. Don’t be afraid of telling another swimmer if you see them doing something potentially dangerous, but it’s important to maintain perspective and engage positively / constructively.
Open Water Swimming
All Club-organised open water swims will be run by the Club Training Committee and should always have a session leader present.
The Harbour in Lanesboro (past the playground behind St. Mary’s Hall) has been risk assessed by the Club and is suitable for open water swimming sessions. New locations can be added but a risk assessment must first be completed and passed by the Club Committee.
Members must swim with a buoyancy aid when in the Open Water. See here for tips on swim safety
Impromptu training sessions can be organised via the Club WhatsApp group. The open water swim guidelines must be adhered to in all cases, including impromptu training sessions.
