“Thank you and welcome to one of the most interesting journeys in your life.
Preparation for a long-distance open water swim goal is the most attractive part of a swimming career.
I am so glad to share my personal and coaching experience with you and help you to be fully prepared for your open water swim event. It is time to understand your swim preparation and all the elements that have to be covered during your preparation”.
Vlad
When is the best time to start your preparation?
The best time to begin your preparation is as soon as possible after you register for the swim. The time spent in the water and the swim distance covered from November or December will definitely increase your swim fitness and endurance. Every week counts and helps you improve. Don’t underestimate your preparation; start swimming now.
You can start your preparation in January 2025. The preparation period should cover 22 weeks, during which you will swim around 500 kms. Swimming between 400 and 500 kms will guarantee you perfect preparation for your swim. In fact, you'll enjoy swimming the full distance without feeling the slightest bit tired.
Get in the water now.
Let's start with the General information that you need.
General preparation is the first crucial step towards organizing yourself and ensuring a successful journey to achieve your swimming goals. This preparation entails various elements, such as setting up your schedule, locating suitable swimming venues (pools or open water), sharing your swimming goals with friends, and connecting with the swimming community. This initial step lays the foundation for a well-structured plan, fostering confidence and dedication to daily action.
1. Your Swim Goal: Le Flow Des Gabarriers
It is imperative to thoroughly understand your ultimate swimming challenge and what you aspire to achieve. Gather detailed information about your swim. Your research should focus on:
Understanding these aspects will help you prepare effectively for your swimming challenge
2) Share your goal with family and friends
It is highly recommended for all open-water swimmers to share their swimming goals with close friends and family who are supportive and positive. These individuals care about your well-being and can offer assistance and encouragement when needed. Some of your friends may even provide support during your long-distance swims, helping with paddling, feeding, and motivation.
Friends/Family can:
3) Find local Swimming facilities
For your swim preparation, you need four pool swim sessions and one ocean swim. It is convenient to swim in the closed swimming pool to your home or your work which will save you time to travel on the session, and you can spend more time in the water. We live in the era of information, and on a computer, you can find a local swimming pool, and signing up for membership is an easy way to start your swim journey. If you want to be sure the pool is definitely what you need, it is better to call and ask a few questions
To ensure a pool meets your needs, consider asking the following questions:
4) Choose an open water swim location.
When selecting an open water swim location, prioritize safety, accessibility, and monitoring.
Avoid locations with heavy boat traffic, hazardous surf conditions, difficult access, or polluted water.
Refrain from swimming in cold open water if you have not worked on cold water adaptation, especially during the winter season. Practice long-distance swim sessions in the pool.
If open-water swimming isn't prevalent in your area, consider starting your own swimming group. Begin by swimming at the same time and day each week, and invite other pool swimmers to join you. Over time, you can establish a friendly swim club
5) Find a swim partner or join a swim group
Consistently attending pool or beach sessions will naturally lead to interactions with other swimmers. Engage in friendly conversations and inquire about swimming groups or potential swim buddies. Swimmers are typically supportive and can help you stay committed to your plan. In open-water swimming, it's crucial to have a swim buddy for safety reasons.
6) Find Open Water Swim Coach and ask for the plan
The best way to be on the correct journey to achieve the goal is by following a specific plan. The plan must include swim distance for each session, total swim distance per week, the type of swim intensity, the number of swim sessions per week, and recovery days. Preparation without a plan could result in an unprepared swimmer and problems during the final swim. Get your plan, and your full preparation will be more enjoyable.
7) Set your weekly schedule
The preparation plan spans 22 weeks and entails 4 – 5 sessions per week, in addition to other sports activities. Some sessions are in the water, while others involve dryland training, stretching, yoga, and more. Examine your weekly schedule from Monday to Sunday and allocate specific times for each day. Record your work commitments, family time, and personal sports activities in your calendar.
8) Logbook
Maintaining a logbook is an excellent way to track your swim preparation progress. After each session, allocate 5 to 10 minutes to record details about your swim, including session times, pre- and post-swim feelings, and any additional comments. This log will assist in analyzing your efforts, keep you focused, and guide you in setting future goals. You'll come to appreciate the record of your daily training and take pride in your hard work.
The format of your logbook can be customized, such as:
With your time organized and swimming integrated into your life, it's time to delve into the training aspect of your preparation. Let's explore Training Preparation
Vlad’s Swim Plan for Your Swim
Vlad has created an information manual and swim plan for your preparation. Your role is to follow the plan and monitor your swim distance and improvement in your swim logbook. Vlad offers two packages for our swim.
Package 1: Buy the information manual with essential details and the swim plan. The price is all-inclusive, and the package includes:
Package 2: Vlad, the swim coach, will be your personal coach during the preparation.
You will receive personalized swim sessions, and you can contact Coach Vlad monthly via email or phone to discuss your preparation and any questions you may have. Vlad's motto is, "It's better to ask what to do during the preparation than to guess and not know if you're doing it right."
Choose your package and get ready for your swim goal!
About your swim coach:
Vlad Mravec from Australia is the founder of the Vladswim program, which offers a wide range of swimming services for all skill levels.
Vlad's expertise extends to the Ocean Swim Academy program, where every swimmer can find the best information about preparation for any ocean swim distance. Swimmers who complete one of the ocean swim courses will receive higher knowledge and understanding of all important principles in ocean swimming.
The best open water swim coach is someone who has coached numerous swimmers to complete open water swim distances. One of the globally recognized coaches is Vlad Mravec. He has been coaching open water swimmers since 2010, and over the past 13 years, he has guided 73 swimmers who successfully crossed the English Channel. Vlad will be delighted to assist you with your preparation, ensuring you are well-prepared for a fantastic swim in the river Charente.
Enjoy your fantastic journey in the world of ocean swimming and acquire new skills.
