Straight out of the blocks

1st February 2018

Swimmers in Workington are improving their abilities thanks to new technology at their local pool.

Workington Amateur Swimming Club (WASC) received £1,738 from the Cumbria Grassroots Fund to help buy a set of starting blocks to go at each end of the pool.

The new equipment means swimmers can use the latest technology to improve their techniques, and allow them to take part in a greater variety of events. The use of reaction pads on the starter blocks helps the swimmers improve their response times for diving, as well as perfecting backstroke starts.  Up until now this type of technology has only been available to a small number of larger city clubs like Manchester.

Shaun Winstanley, Club Secretary, said. “There is a high proportion of low income and disadvantaged families in the area, so we are constantly struggling to give Cumbrian swimmers the experience and tools to improve as quickly as some of the larger city swimming clubs.”

“The improved facilities have given them the opportunity to gain experience that wasn’t previously available to them.

“We’ve achieved a great result thanks to the funding and we’ve even got one youngster who is now setting their sights on the Junior Olympics in 2019. This can only help encourage others to take an interest in swimming.”

The new technology is allowing swimmers from WASC and other Cumbrian clubs to have the equipment to help them develop and promote the future of swimming in the county.

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