Different Strokes Swimming Newsletter July 17th

Sydney Lockdown: Checking In
JULY 17TH ISSUE

Hi Everyone,

This newsletter is a quick check in to see how you are holding up during this COVID Lockdown 2.0. I know this time can be a very real struggle for many. For me it’s the uncertainly I find the hardest. But while it’s challenging, I’m also confident we will come out on the other side. I hope the photo above provides you with some inspiration. It’s a throwback to a few years ago, taken on a cold winter’s Saturday morning at Prince Alfred Park Pool. It serves as a great reminder of the times we’ve had and the ones to come.

How are you filling in your time at home? Are you reading or giving your Netflix subscription a good workout like me? Some of our swimmers are able to exercise by swimming at the beach (the beach is within their LGA or a 10km radius from their home) others I know are taking virtual fitness classes or walking around their neighbourhood. I can’t tell you how important it is to keep exercising, not just for your physical wellbeing but also for your mental health. I urge you to fit some form of exercise into each day.

On a positive note the Olympics in Tokyo start on the 23rd July. A great distraction. We can barrack from the couch for our favourite sportsperson. As you’d expect, I’m particularly looking forward to the swimming! We’ve put a link to a great website where you can access the timetable of events, further down in the newsletter.

Art, our Administration and Customer Service whizz, and I are still working throughout this lockdown, so if you have any questions at all, please feel free to get in touch.

Please stay safe, keep well and stay strong. We hope to see you soon.

As always, yours in swimming,

Kari Baynes
Director

Photo: Prince Alfred Park Pool, Surry Hills. PC: Kari Baynes

Keep Moving Your Body

Some clients have asked if we can provide dryland exercises to assist swimmers during the lockdown. I have to say up front, we’re not personal trainers nor fitness instructors, however, there are a range of videos from the fitness industry online.

We did find a video from MySwimPro outlining a series of exercises to build your core, which we thought would be very useful. As you know a strong core is key to swimming well. Take a look by clicking here. MySwimPro also offers a range of complete dryland workout programs you might like to explore.

Please note, if you can’t manage the plank exercise in the video with straight arms (which is awfully hard), resting on your elbows is fine (as in the photo above). The important part is to keep your back, neck and legs straight.

Remember, undertake all exercises with care and if anything is at all uncomfortable, stop.

Staying Connected

We realise this lockdown can be a tricky time for many. We want you to know that you’re not alone. Whether you’re stuck inside in the same place for the next few weeks or an essential worker (thank you!), the COVID-19 situation in Sydney at the moment can be really stressful. First, we wanted to thank you for following health guidelines, staying home and keeping safe!

While lockdown can feel isolating, it’s important to remember to reach out to friends and family and check in with your loved ones. I’ve been calling a family member or friend each time I go for my daily walk around the block – how have you been checking in with your community?

As much as you’re looking after others, keep making sure to look after yourself as well! We know how tough this lockdown can be, so if you’re in need of some more structured mental health support the government is offering 20 subsidised mental health sessions that you can access by chatting with your GP.

Here’s some additional resources that you can access to keep looking after yourself and your mental health throughout this lockdown:

Lifeline

Contact Lifeline for support if you are experiencing a personal crisis or have suicidal thoughts. You can call them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from anywhere in Australia.
Website: https://www.lifeline.org.au/
Phone: 131 114

Beyond Blue Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service

Beyond Blue are providing information, advice and strategies to help you manage your wellbeing and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Website: https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/
Phone: 1800 512 348

Photo: Our SwimFit group at Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre, Ultimo (a couple of years ago)

It’s Olympic Season!

One lockdown activity I know I’ll be doing is watching the Olympics!

Here’s a super helpful website we found that has a timetable of all the swimming events set out in Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) – perfect for Sydney watchers. You could even watch your favourite events with a few friends over Zoom! Let us know how you’ll be watching and who you’re rooting for over on our Facebook page at Different Strokes Swimming.

Photo: Ronny Hartmann/Getty Images

Olympic Timetable

Our Facebook Groups

Facebook is such a great tool for staying connected with people while we can’t meet up in the pool. You might have seen our Different Strokes Swimming page, but did you know that we also have a closed group that you can join?

This group can be used to keep up with fellow swimmers, ask questions and keep building your swimming network even while we’re all locked down. It could be a great opportunity to start finding a swimming buddy for when classes start back up again! Swim buddies are awesome for encouragement, goal setting and just making new friends in general.

All you need to do to join this group is follow our Different Strokes Swimming page on Facebook, search “Different Strokes Swimming Members’ and request to join the group – an administrator will approve you as soon as possible. You can click the button below to find our public Facebook page quickly!