Training resumes
Warragul Water Warriors eagerly dived back into the pool with squad training back up and running at Warragul Leisure Centre.
With outdoor pools now open, swimming club coach Paul Myers said squad training ran every morning and night during the first week back.
Mr Myers said they ran a comprehensive dry land program during lockdown with six classes plus one yoga class per week filled with bikes, running and other forms of exercise to maintain fitness, health and activity.
However, nothing beats hitting the pool – and Warragul Water Warriors are fortunate to have access to an outdoor heated pool.
Mr Myers said it was one of only three in country Victoria and praised Baw Baw Shire
Council and YMCA for opening the 50-metre pool at an extra cost for local swimmers.
“We are very fortunate in Warragul to have one. We fought very hard to get it heated.”
With two to three members aiming to swim Olympic trials, he said it was important to be as prepared as possible with other states back in the pool for the past two or three months.
Mr Myers said the competition program for the Water Warriors was still up in the air. He expects virtual meets against other Gippsland clubs across various pools first. As numbers are allowed to increase, clubs may be allowed to come together in small groups to race against each other in the same pool.
Several members are also aiming to swim at the Australian Age Swimming Championships on the Gold Coast in April.