Like so many other services in the COVID-19 era, swimming pools are shut down. Without pools, the club teams that would normally be getting ready for the summer season are also naturally out of commission. But while there are no meets or formal practices, swimmers are finding ways to stay in shape.
One of those is Emma Warner. Warner, a senior at Mingus, closed out her time with the Marauders in style in the fall, winning a state championship in the 100 breaststroke. She also swims for the Sedona Swordfish and will attend Northern Arizona University and swim for the NAU swimming and diving team in the fall. While Warner can’t go into the water right now, she is keeping her swimming muscles sharp.
“I continue to do daily dry land exercises targeted for swimmers to try and keep in shape in hopes of not losing too much of all I have worked for,” Warner said. “It’s tough not having a pool to train in, so people are getting creative with the training they are doing. You gotta do what you gotta do to stay in shape.”
Beth Baker-Tate, a parent with the Sedona Swordfish, added that while no official activities are taking place, the Sedona Swordfish are asking swimmers to post pictures and videos of their workouts to share on social media. Warner took that challenge to a new level.
While she doesn’t have a pool, Warner got creative and devised a makeshift one. While lying on a stool on her stomach, Warner gripped two stationary ropes and simulated the freestyle swimming motion with them. For good measure, she also had people dump buckets of water on her head and body to create the feeling of being in the pool. The video went viral and was so well received it was shared online by USA Swimming.
Jodi Jato swims for the Sedona Race Pace Swim Club. In February, Jato won three events at the Arizona Senior Olympics — the 100 breaststroke, 100 freestyle and 50 freestyle — setting a state record for her age group in the latter race.
She and her teammates have also taken part in dry land workout activities via Zoom.
“There are sessions for novices, masters and elite athletes,” Jato said. “What is very [nice] is that you’re in a Zoom session with the coach and get specific feedback on your stroke mechanics which has been immensely helpful to me in the two days I have been doing this.”
While it’s unfortunate that nobody can be training or competing in the water, Jato noted that the shutdown
presents a good opportunity for swimmers with flaws in their strokes to work those kinks out.
“This is an awesome time to tweak one’s stroke mechanics and strengthen specific muscles that are leading to improper stroke mechanics,” she added.
Throughout the shut-down period, we will continue to post stories about what athletes in different sports are doing to stay in shape. If you’re an athlete in a school sport, a club sport or even just enjoy the occasional recreational or pick-up game, please let us know what you’re doing to keep your game as sharp as possible.
