Tag: Swimming Canada

Coaching

We Need COVID-19 Reporting by Sport

Rick Madge1 Comment

We’ve seen an unending stream of statistics regarding COVID-19 cases, deaths, recoveries, etc., all sorted by geographical area. This data can be incredibly useful when used by authorities for making larger social decisions. Low community rates may indicate it’s safe to open up, while spiking community rates may point to increased restrictions. However, we generally… Continue reading We Need COVID-19 Reporting by Sport

Coaching

Why We’re Not Starting Up in September

Rick Madge6 Comments

As the title says, my team isn’t returning to swimming in September. Or October. In fact, we’re going to monitor the pandemic infection rates for a while to figure out when it will actually be safe, however long that takes. And the key to this decision is that Ontario had declared that kids will be… Continue reading Why We’re Not Starting Up in September

Coaching

Swimming Canada’s Sensible Framework For a Return to Swimming

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Swimming Canada has released a first version of their Return To Swimming Framework, the 22-page “Covid-19 Return to Swimming Resource Document”. And it’s a good one. Although I know for a fact that many in the swimming community are pushing far more relaxed alternatives. It’s important to note that Swimming Canada assembled a large group… Continue reading Swimming Canada’s Sensible Framework For a Return to Swimming

Coaching

The (Immediate) Future of Swimming – A Conversation With Coach Mike Finch

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For this post, I interviewed Mike Finch, Head Coach of W. Ross MacDonald Swimming in Brantford, Ontario. Mike is also one of the top technical and sprint coaches in Canada. The following is a summary of our wide-ranging discussion.   Return to Swimming While we’re aware that the swimming community is eager to get back… Continue reading The (Immediate) Future of Swimming – A Conversation With Coach Mike Finch

Coaching

OK Swimming Canada, Time To Cancel Trials and Other Swim Meets

Rick Madge2 Comments

The coronavirus pandemic is fundamentally changing our lives, at least in the short term. We've seen sweeping closures and suspensions in virtually every activity that involves many humans gathering in one place. And this includes almost every professional sport plus many amateur sports. The international swimming community is taking this seriously as well. USA Swimming… Continue reading OK Swimming Canada, Time To Cancel Trials and Other Swim Meets

Coaching

ISL, NCAA, and Their Fans Love Short Course Swimming. Why doesn’t Swimming Canada?

Rick Madge2 Comments

  Even a casual viewing of any of the new International Swimming League races shows us an incredibly exciting and competitive atmosphere. In fact, other than the ridiculously prestigious Olympics, there’s only one other type of meet that consistently has this much excitement, this much atmosphere, and this much pure fun. And that’s almost any… Continue reading ISL, NCAA, and Their Fans Love Short Course Swimming. Why doesn’t Swimming Canada?

Coaching

7 Rules (and a Vision) For Becoming a Better Swim Parent – (2019 Version)

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This is my (almost) annual post regarding the role of swim parents. The beginning of every swim season is an exciting time for both swimmers and parents. And every year, I try to make sure that parents know how they can best help their swimmers achieve their goals. And the short answer is fairly easy.… Continue reading 7 Rules (and a Vision) For Becoming a Better Swim Parent – (2019 Version)

Coaching

Abuse Policy Conversation with John Vadeika, Executive Director of Swim Ontario

Rick Madge5 Comments

Over the last few months, there have been some explosive revelations of sexual abuse of athletes and organizational coverups coming out of USA Gymnastics, USA Swimming, USA Volleyball, and other sports. Even a cursory review of those situations provides lessons on how we can improve our oversight and remove conflicts of interest. (If you want… Continue reading Abuse Policy Conversation with John Vadeika, Executive Director of Swim Ontario