The weekly routine
Practices
Everything families need to know about weekly swim and dryland practices.
Regular practice helps swimmers improve their technique, build fitness and confidence, and become comfortable with the routines of competitive swimming.
Each training group follows a different schedule based on the swimmers' level and training needs. Please make sure you follow the schedule for your swimmer's assigned group.
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Practice schedule
Nova Tech
| Monday | 5:30-6:30 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 5:30-6:30 PM |
| Thursday | 5:30-6:30 PM |
Age Group
| Monday | 4:00-5:30 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 4:00-5:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 4:00-5:30 PM |
| Friday | 4:00-5:30 PM |
| Saturday | 7:30-9:00 AM |
Age Group Dryland
Thursday at Hybrid Fitness Collective
| 13 and under | 5:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Older swimmers | 6:00 PM |
Schedule changes
Practice schedules may occasionally change because of holidays, swim meets, pool closures or other facility requirements. Any changes will be communicated by email, PCM Facebook page or through the PCM parent Facebook group.
Practice location
All swimming practices take place at the Pictou pool.
Parents who plan to stay and watch practice must bring photo ID to enter the facility.
Please follow all facility rules relating to pool access, supervision, viewing areas and changing rooms.
Before practice
Please help your swimmer arrive early enough to change and be ready on the pool deck when practice begins.
Swimmers should:
- Arrive with enough time to change before practice.
- Use the washroom before entering the pool.
- Fill their water bottle before practice begins.
- Have all their equipment ready.
- Listen for instructions from their coach.
- Wait for the coach's permission before entering the water.
Parents should pick swimmers up promptly when practice finishes.
What to bring
Every swimmer should bring:
- A swimsuit
- PCM swim cap
- Goggles
- A filled water bottle
- A towel
Depending on the training group, swimmers may also need:
- Fins
- Kickboard
- Pull buoy
- Snorkel
- Paddles
- Equipment bag
Coaches will let swimmers and parents know which equipment is required for their group. Age Group swimmers attending dryland should wear comfortable athletic clothing and appropriate indoor sneakers.
Attendance and absences
Consistent attendance helps swimmers improve and keeps them familiar with their group's training routine.
Attendance is not only about fitness. Regular practice allows swimmers to work on stroke technique, starts, turns, race skills and training habits that build from one session to the next.
Please tell your swimmer's coach about:
- Extended absences
- Illness or injury
- Anything that may affect your swimmer during practice
- Any changes the coach should be aware of
Helping swimmers take responsibility
As swimmers get older, they should gradually take more responsibility for communicating with their coach.
Some special practices or training sessions may require swimmers to declare their attendance through PoolQ. Please respond by the stated deadline so coaches can plan the session properly.
Supporting the team
Parent expectations during practice
Coaches need to give their full attention to the swimmers while practice is underway.
Parents should:
- Allow coaches to provide all technical instruction.
- Avoid coaching or correcting swimmers from the side of the pool.
- Avoid calling swimmers away from their group.
- Follow the facility's rules about where parents may sit or watch.
- Keep younger siblings supervised.
- Communicate respectfully with swimmers, coaches and other families.
Parents help most by encouraging effort, attendance, teamwork and enjoyment. Coaches will provide feedback about technique and swimmer development.
Communicating with coaches
Your swimmer's group coach should be your first contact for questions about:
- Practices
- Attendance
- Your swimmer's development
- Training expectations
- Group placement
Short questions may be asked before or after practice when the coach is available.
If you need a longer conversation, please arrange a suitable time outside the swimmer's practice. Coaches cannot give a conversation their full attention while they are responsible for swimmers in the pool.
Parents should also tell the coach about any medical, injury or personal information that could affect their swimmer's participation.
Age Group swimmers
Dryland training
Age Group swimmers take part in dryland training at Hybrid Fitness Collective.
Swimmers should arrive wearing suitable athletic clothing and indoor sneakers.
Confirm attendance in the app
Swimmers must confirm their attendance in the app before the session. This allows Emily to plan the workout and prepare the equipment needed for the swimmers attending.
Dryland helps swimmers develop:
- Strength
- Flexibility and mobility
- Speed and power
- Body awareness
- Better movement skills
- Injury resilience