Bristol Penguin Olympic Swimming Club
Key Information
Bristol Penguin Olympic Swimming Club started life at Speedwell Swimming Pool in 1969. We moved to Easton Leisure Centre when Speedwell closed in 2005 and continue to swim there four evenings per week. We are a medium sized competitive club with approximately 300 members. We are an Swim England registered club and current hold ASA Swim 21 accreditation. We teach around the National Plan for Teaching Swimming and follow the Swim England award schemes.
There is a range of competitions for the swimmers to enter each year. Children are allowed to officially start competing when they are aged 9, although there are some competitions for younger swimmers. Swimmers normally start by competing in friendly beginners galas and progress to competing in league competitions. Swimmers may also take part in county level competitions and then may progress further to district and occasionally national level competitions. Swimmers may also enter ‘open meets’, where each swimmer competes as an individual to win medals and trophies. We offer a wide range of competitive opportunities and have a policy of selecting the best possible team for specific competitions and selecting a more mixed ability team for other galas. Swimming speed, training commitment, work ethic, attitude and reliability are the key factors for being selected.
Kit
At galas swimmers are expected to wear a Penguins swimming hat and a Penguins t-shirt (see website for more details and of how to purchase these). All swimmers will require goggles and a drink for all sessions. See the individual squad details below for extra equipment needed.
The club has a committee who meet once a month and we have an Annual General meeting, to which everyone is encouraged to attend. We have at least two social events a year. In the summer there is a presentation evening following the club championships and there is a Christmas party where the year’s swimming achievements are celebrated and Father Christmas visits the swimmers!
Key Who’s Who
Role / Person / E_mail / TelephoneChair / Ben Mullen / / 07870 567296
Vice Chair / Helen Giles /
Club Secretary / Vashti Wyatt /
Treasurer / Helen Giles /
Lead Coach / Josh Jobbins /
Technical Lead & Coach / Andrej Baranovskij /
Coach / David Cousins /
Workforce Coordinator / vacant
Welfare Officer / Helen Shore /
Swim Academy/Membership Coordinator / Polly Mullen / / 07886 733122
Swim England membership / Sue Rees /
Competition Secretary / Masters / Jenny Gardiner /
Ordering Kit / Polly Mullen /
Gala Results / Personal Bests / Open Meets / Jeremy Dudley /
Social / Fundraising Lead / Gemma Wozniak /
Volunteers
We are a community based friendly club run by unpaid volunteer teachers, organisers and administrators. We have three paid coaches, who all coach muliple times a week for Penguins. All volunteers & teachers are unpaid and most all of our coaches are unpaid. The club does not exist to run at a profit.
All parents/carers will be expected to volunteer for at least one event or role during the year. There are many different types of volunteering roles within the club such as poolside (no experience of teaching necessary), club administration, officiating and many more. We are in desperate need of more volunteers. Please contact if you would like more information or to help out more frequently than once yearly.
Communication
- Information is primarily communicated via email to the address you have provided. Please ensure that if you change your email address that you update your portal at
- Parents/carers are expected to reply to and act upon correspondence provided by email such as gala invites or communications regarding fees.
- The club website should be checked regularly as this has important information such as details about gala selection, results from galas, all personal best times and holiday dates, among other things.
- We are also have a notice board located within the viewing gallery at Easton Leisure Centre to communicate with parents.
- If you have any queries, please speak to any volunteer on poolside or email the relevant person – see above.
Code of Conduct
The Club shall comply with Swim England guidelines and code of ethics as defined in the Swim England (ASA) handbook. The Club will conform to the Child Protection Act.
- Behaviour and personal conduct must at all times be of a high standard and reflect a good impression of the club and the sport.
- All members should treat others as equal, with respect and without prejudice.
- Swimmers should treat other people’s property with respect and hand all “found” property to a person in charge.
- Language in public or group situations must always be appropriate and socially acceptable and not cause offence.
- No activities outside the pool premises which create noise, nuisance or danger will be allowed, including ball games, climbing etc.
- All teachers/ coaches must act in a mature appropriate manner, whatever the provocation.
Any swimmer who feels unfairly treated by a coach or teacher should immediately contact the someone from the conduct committee or the Welfare Officer. If any physical or verbal abuse is made against a teacher, coach, lifeguard or any other member of Bristol Penguin Olympic Swimming club in charge or involved in training sessions / competitions, then that person has the authority to request the swimmer(s) concerned to leave the pool. The matter should be reported as soon as possible to the Conduct Committee in writing with evidence from independent observers provided, where possible.
Furthermore, anyone who through their actions brings the name of the club into disrepute may be suspended immediately from attending training sessions and competition selection until the matter has been fully investigated by the committee and a decision made on what further action, if necessary, is to be taken.
Conduct Committee Members: Andrew Brown, Helen Giles, Jeanette Kelly, Sue Rees and Helen Shore.
Squad Information
Swimming lessons / training continues all year with the exception of a four week break in the summer and a two week break around Christmas – 46 weeks in total. Bristol Penguins is a competitive swimming club and therefore operates an entry based criteria system whereby a minimum proficiency must be achieved by joining. The criteria are based on the National Plan for Teaching Swimming (NPTS).
Below is a quick description of the 4 clusters within the competition squad structure:
Development Squads – for primary school aged swimmers to learn skills and techniques that will improve their swimming into the Age Group and Youth squads. There are four squads within this cluster: Development 1, 2 and 3 and Junior Club. The Junior Club is for non-competitive swimmers graduating from the Swim Academy that want to maintain their swimming fitness and improve their technique.
Age Group Squads – for swimmers aged 10 – 14 years old. There are three squads in the Age Group cluster: Bronze Development for swimmers who have attained county qualification times, Bronze for swimmers with county qualification times that are aiming for regional level and Age Group Club are swimming competitively up to county level.
Youth Squads – for swimmers 13 – 18 years old. There are three squads in the Youth Cluster: Youth 1 for swimmers who have attained county qualification times, Youth 2 for swimmers with county qualification times that are training at a high level and want to commit to more sessions and Youth Club for up to county level swimmers.
Masters – for swimmers 18 years and over who are both competitive and non-competitive swimmers.
Below are the full squad descriptions, training times and equipment needed for each squad:
Swim Academy – learning to be swimmers
Age Range: 6-9 years
Sessions: 1 or 2 x per week
Description: Teaching National Plan for Teaching Swimming Stages 4/5-7. Swimmers will be taught the FUNdamentals of swimming in an enjoyable environment.
Equipment Needed: Working goggles, Penguins swimming hat
Training Expectations: Attend 1 or 2 sessions per week
Competitions: club championships and novice galas (Stage 7)
Junior Club - once a week option less competitive option for Stage 7+
Age: 10-14 years
Sessions: 1 x per week. Some limited twice a week options available.
Description: Swimmers will work to improve swimming technique and fitness.
Equipment Needed: Working goggles, Penguins swimming hat and short fins.
Competitions: club championships and novice galas
Training Expectations: Attend 1 or 2 sessions per week,
Development 1 - skills for competitive swimming
Age: 8-10 years
Sessions: 2 x per week
Description: Swimmers will learn racing skills (starts & turns) including completing the Swim England Competitive Start Award. There is also a heavy focus on streamlining and developing underwater dolphin kick skills. Stroke technique and skill development is the main focus of 90% of sessions.
Competitions: club championships, novice/development galas, school galas, junior galas and level 4 and 3 open meets.
Equipment Needed: Working goggles, Penguins swimming hat and short fins.
Training Expectations: Attend 2 sessions per week
Development 2 - skills for competitive swimming.
Age: 8-11 years
Sessions: 3 x per week
Description: Swimmers will develop their racing skills, stroke technique and will start to develop their aerobic energy system. There is still a strong focus on streamlining and developing an efficient underwater dolphin kick. This will now start to be implemented into starts and turns in training.
Competitions: club championships, novice/development galas, school galas, junior galas and level 4 and 3 open meets
Equipment Needed: Working goggles, Penguins swimming hat and short fins.
Training Expectations: Attend at least 2 sessions per week
Development 3 - skills for competitive swimming.
Age: 9-12 years
Sessions: 3 x per week
Description: Swimmers will continue to develop stroke technique on all strokes. They will be expected to consistently perform dolphin kick underwater phases on appropriate starts and turns in training. They should be skilled enough to perform progressive aerobic sets in training and longer distance events (100m +) in open meets.
Competitions: Club Championships, novice/development galas, school galas, junior galas and starting to enter longer distance events at level 4 and 3 open meets.
Equipment Needed: Working goggles, Penguins swimming hat, short fins, kickboard, pull buoy and snorkel.
Training Expectations: Attend at least two sessions per week.
Age Group Club - training and skills for competitive swimming up to county level.
Age: 11-14 years
Sessions: 4 x per week
Description: For swimmers who have not yet reached county qualifying times but enjoy training and competing and want to continue to improve their stroke technique, skills and fitness levels.
Competitions: Club Championships, novice/development galas, school galas, junior galas and starting to enter longer distance events at level 4 and 3 open meets.
Equipment Needed: Working goggles, Penguins swimming hat, short fins, kickboard, pull buoy and snorkel.
Training Expectations: Attend at least two sessions per week
Bronze Development - training and skills for county level swimmers
Age: 10-13 years
Sessions: 4 x per week
Description: This squad is for swimmers who have achieved county qualification times and have the required stroke techniques and skills to meet higher training demands. There will continue to be a large emphasis on underwater phases along with teaching advanced techniques on strokes and skills. Swimmers will also increase the number of aerobic workouts that they perform in training. Introduction of land training and pre/post pool stretches. Swimmers to widen the events they take in at open meets.
Competitions: Club Championships, school galas, junior galas, level 3 open meets (inc. 100s and 200s), County Championships, Arena League and Cotswold League.
Equipment Needed: Working goggles, spare goggles, Penguins swimming hat, short fins, kickboard, pull buoy and snorkel
Training Expectations: Attend min 3 sessions per week.
Bronze - training and skills for county level and swimmers aiming for regional level.
Age: 11-14 years
*Sessions: 4 or 5 x per week.
Description: This squad is for swimmers who are targeting county finals and regional consideration/qualification times. Swimmers will continue to work on their aerobic base with challenging sets whilst still developing more advanced skills. Pre / post pool stretches to be completed. Swimmers continue to widen the events they take in at open meets.
Competitions: club championships, school galas, junior galas, level 3 open meets (inc. 100s, 200s and longer distance), county / regional championships, Arena League and Cotswold League.
Equipment Needed: Working goggles, spare goggles, Penguins swimming hat, short fins, kickboard, pull buoy and snorkel.
Training Expectations: Attend 4 or 5 sessions per week.
Youth Club - training and skills for up to county level swimmers.
Age: 13-18 years
Sessions: 3 x per week
Description: For swimmers who have not yet reached county qualifying times and/or for those who wish to take a less competitive route. There will be a focus on improving stroke technique, skills and fitness levels.
Competitions: club championships, level 3 and 4 open meets, Cotswold League and other club galas.
Equipment Needed: Working goggles, Penguins swimming hat, short fins, kickboard, pull buoy and snorkel.
Training Expectations: Attend min 2 sessions per week.
Youth 1 – training and skills for county level swimmers.
Age: 13-18 years
Sessions: 4 x per week
Description: For swimmers who have achieved at least county qualification times and are able to train at a high intensity whilst still developing their skills.
Competitions: club championships, county / regional championships, 3 open meets, Arena League, Cotswold League and other club galas.
Equipment Needed: Working goggles, Penguins swimming hat, short fins, kickboard, pull buoy and snorkel.
Training Expectations: Attend min 3 sessions per week.
Youth 2
Age: 13-18 years
Sessions: 5 x per week
Description: For swimmers who have achieved at least county qualification times, are able to train at a high intensity whilst still developing their skills and are willing to commit and complete the additional training above that offered to Youth 1.
Competitions: club championships, county / regional championships, 3 open meets, Arena League, Cotswold League and other club galas. Equipment Needed: Working goggles, Penguins swimming hat, short fins, kickboard, pull buoy and snorkel.
Training Expectations: Attend min 4 sessions per week.
Masters
Age: 18 years and over
Sessions: 5 x per week
Description: This squad is for competitive and non-competitive swimmers who want to stay fit and healthy and be part of a club environment. This includes setting an example as a role model to younger swimmers, and helping to coach them where applicable.
Equipment Needed: Working goggles, Penguins swimming hat, short fins, kickboard, pull buoy and snorkel.
Training Expectations: Personalised
Entry Criteria for Penguins Squads
Squad / Min Age / Max Age / *Min Entry Speed / *Test Set - Min Entry / Lead / Main CoachSwim Academy / 6 / 9 / N/A / Stage 4/5 – swim 15m / Polly
Junior Club / 10 / 14 / N/A / N/A / Polly
Development 1 / 8 / 10 / F/C 50m in 52 secs / 400m FC
Completion of Stage 7 / Andrej
Development 2 / 9 / 11 / N/A / 6 x 50m FC on 1.10 / David / Josh
Development 3 / 9 / 12 / N/A / 8 x 50m FC on 1.05
Age Group Club / 11 / 14 / N/A / 8 x 50m FC on 1.15 / David
Bronze Development / 10 / 13 / County QT / 10 x 50m FC on 1.00 / Andrej / Josh
Bronze / 10 / 14 / County QT / 10 x 50m FC on 1.00
Youth Club / 13 / 18 / N/A / 8x50m FC on 1:10 / David
Youth 1 / 13 / 18 / County QT / 10 x 100m FC on 2.00 / Jason / Josh
Youth 2 / 13 / 18 / County QT / 10 x 100m FC on 2.00 / Jason / Josh
Masters / 18 / None / N/A / N/A / Andrej
*Note – as we now have a new lead coach the test set requirement is subject to review.
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Bristol Penguins Training Times September 2017Squad / Day / Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday / Saturday / Sunday / Sessions per Week
Swim Academy. Stages 4/5-7 ages 6 to 9. Learning to be swimmers. / 6.30-7.00pm or 7.05-7.50pm St Mary Redcliffe / 6.30-7.15pm Easton (stage 7) / 4.30-5.00pm, 5.00-5.30pm or 5.30-6.00pm Bristol University / 1 or 2 sessions
Junior Club. Ages 10 to 13. Once a week option less competitive option Stage 7+. Some limited twice a week options available. / 6.05-7.00pm Bristol University / 1 session. 2nd session possible
Development 1. Ages 8 to 10. Skills for competitive swimming. / 7.00-7.45pm Easton / 6.30-7.15pm Easton / 6.00-6.45pm Easton / 2 sessions - Sunday + Thursday or Friday
Development 2. Ages 9 to 11. Skills for competitive swimming. / 7.00-8.00pm Easton / 7.00-8.00pm Easton / 6.45-7.45pm Easton / 3 sessions
Development 3. Ages 9 to 12. Skills for competitive swimming. / 7.00-8.00pm Easton / 7.00-8.00pm Easton / 6.45-7.45pm Easton / 3 sessions
Age Group Club. Ages 11 to 14. Training and skills for competitive swimming up to county level. / 7.45-8.35pm Easton / 8.00-9.00pm Easton / 4.00-5.00pm Hengrove / 3 sessions
Bronze Development. Ages 10 to 13. Training and skills for county level swimmers. / 7.00-8.00pm Easton 8.00-8.15pm Stretch / 7.00-7.40pm Land Training 7.50-9.00pm St Mary Redcliffe / 7.00-7.15pm Land warm up 7.15-8.15pm Easton / 4.00-5.00pm Hengrove / 4 sessions
Bronze. Ages 10 to 13. Training and skills for county level and regional level swimmers. / 7.00-8.00pm Hengrove 8.00-8.15pm Stretch / 7.00-8.00pm Easton 8.00-8.15pm Stretch / *7.00-7.40pm Land Training 7.50-9.00pm St Mary Redcliffe / 5.00-7pm Henbury / 4.00-5.00pm Hengrove / 4 or 5 sessions
Youth Club. Ages 13 to 17. Training and skills for up to county level swimmers. / 7.30-8.00pm Land Training 8.00-9.00pm Easton / 7.30-8.00pm Land Training 8.00-9.00pm Easton / 6.05-7.00pm Bristol University / 3 sessions
Youth 1. Ages 13 to 17. Training and skills for county level swimmers. / 7.00-7.45pm possible land training - TBC 8.00-9.00pm Hengrove / 7.30-8.00pm Land Training 8.00-9.00pm Easton / 7.30-8.00pm Land Training 8.00-9.00pm Easton / 7.15-7.45pm Land training 7.45-9.00pm Easton / 4 sessions
Youth 2. Ages 13 to 17. Training and skills for county and regional level swimmers. / 7.00-9.00pm Hengrove / 7.30-8.00pm Land Training 8.00-9.00pm Easton / 7.30-8.00pm Land Training 8.00-9.00pm Easton / 7.30-8.00pm Land Training 8.00-9.00pm Easton / 7.15-7.45pm Land training 7.45-9.00pm Easton / 5 sessions
Masters. Ages18+ Training and skills for adult swimmers. / 6.15-7.30am Easton / 6.15-7.30am Easton 8.35-9.30pm Easton / 8.15-9.15pm Easton / 7.45-9.00pm Easton / 5 sessions
*It will be possible for swimmers in Bronze to swim St Mary Redcliffe on a Wednesday provided swimmers commit to weekly attendance at all four other sessions. Please confirm in advance
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