Derventio Open Meet

This weekend see's the start of the 3 day Derventio open meet at Ponds Forge Sheffield. I'll be there from Saturday morning until Sunday evening. It's usually a tough meet with a high caliber of swimmers. I'm not in the best place at the minute, I'm training well but when it comes to competitions, I just can't seem to pull it out of the bag. I'm having a lot of pain during the day and feel the need to stretch out and warm up all the time? I've been told that it's growing pains and some suffer more than others.

To help me during the weekend, my mum and dad have let me have one of my christmas presents early!....a new pair of Speedo Fastskin Elite 2's. It's given me a boost in confidence and I know there's nothing more I can do except swim as fast as I can :)

Have a fantastic Christmas where ever and what ever you are up to :)

Leicester Sharks Club Championships and City of Leicester Distance Meet

It was the final round of Leicester Sharks internal club championships over the last couple of weekends. I gained slight PB's on all 12 events and took 10 golds and 2 silver medals for my age group. It was a nice relaxed club atmosphere and it was good to see my teammates that I don't get to see very often.

Below is the customised programme cover that my dad produced for last weekend of the championships ;)

It's also the weekend of the City of Leicester distance meet, where we'll be competing as a quite a large squad, i'm in for 5 events over the 2 days.

My events are:

200m Freestyle

400m Freestyle

200m Backstroke

200m Breaststroke

200m I.M

Lincoln Vulcans Open Meet Result

Had a good day on Saturday at the Vulcan's open meet, spaced my swims out over the day, had a good laugh with my mates, all was good :)

Because of how and what we are doing in our training at the moment, I didn't expect to make any huge headway on any of my times. I got slight pb's on most of the events with a good 6 sec one on my 400 free which gives me my first regional qualifying time for next year as a 14 year old (i'm 13). I've never had a regional qt in the first month of the new season with over 6 months before the closing date of the Midlands.

I just pb'd on my 200 breaststroke and managed to get a bronze which was a nice surprise!. My mum +Sue Davies video'd the race with the iPad and did some fancy graphics (which is below). It was nice that I won my heat for a change....lane 9 is horrible place to swim with all of the style and  turn judges watching me!

Below is the little medal I won for the 200 breast in my last event of the day :)

Had a great day yesterday with my mate Simon (who's also a swimmer). We played golf and went to the gym at night. I was back at training this morning at 5.15am and i'll be going later on this evening at 5.30pm, can't wait!

National Arena Swimming League and Lincoln Vulcans Open Meet

I swam with the Leicester Sharks in the National Arena League last Saturday. We went to Birmingham knowing full well it was going to be a tough meet, we were against City of Coventry, City of Derby and City of Hereford amongst others. We only had 23 swimmers in our squad but we showed even though we aren't a City squad we could still compete with the best. I swam in 3 individuals and 3 relays...I was pleased at how I swam. We came 3rd with Coventry and Derby in front of us and Hereford behind us in 4th place, it was a great night, it felt like a win...the atmosphere on the coach was fantastic on the way back :)

National Arena Swimming League

This Saturday i'm at the Lincoln Vulcans open meet, Ponds Forge Sheffield. It's the first long course meet of the season and one of my targeted meets. There are 3 sessions and i'm taking part in all 3 so it'll be a long day. I'm hoping to get some new PB's to continue good start.

On the day, i'll be competing in:

Session One

200m Backstroke

200m Freestyle

Session Two

400m Freestyle

Session Three

200m Breaststroke

Ponds Forge Sheffield

Have a good weekend all

James ;)

I've reached 4000 pageviews!

This little blog about one swimmer who loves to swim and loves everything around swimming has had over 4000 pageviews! Hopefully it makes for an interesting quick read about a 13 year old swimmer in the UK who's aiming for the Nationals next year.

From me and my dad....thanks for reading :)

Breaststroke action shot!

Here's a picture of me doing the 100m Breaststroke from the Penguins Open Meet

with the Leicester Sharks Swimming Club

Just need to have more of a neutral head position and we're good to go!

Follow me on twitter swimmerjd ;)

Good result at Penguins Open Meet

After swimming in an early season open meet, it's nice to see a little improvement this early on, it's encouraging and makes the 5.15am starts all worth while.

I got first place for 100m breaststroke, and 3rd places for 200m and 400m freestyle.....I missed out on 3rd place for my 200m medley by 0.40 sec.

Got some really nice, laser etched trophies, think these are my favourite one's so far :)

These are my new short course times:

100 Breast 1:20.73

200 IM 2:33.52

400 Free 4:38.66

200 Free 2:13.80

James :)

Leicester Penguins Open Meet

It's been a great start back to High School, i've been made a Sport's Ambassador at school which means I'll be part of a group travelling to primary schools encouraging and teaching younger children about sports, taking part and leadership....can't wait to get started!

I'm taking part in my first open meet of the season, this early on, it's only going to be a paddle!

The Leicester Penguins open meet is on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th October but I'll only be going to the afternoon sessions on each day. I'll be going as a Leicester Shark which'll be different as I usually do all my open meets as the City of Leicester.

On Saturday i'll be doing 200 I.M & 100 B/S on the Sunday I'll be doing 200 & 400 F/C. Going on 2013's Regional Midlands qualifying times, I'm only 3.5 secs off my 200 F/C and 4.4 secs 400 F/C 14 year old qualifying times (i'm 13 years old). This meet is only to see where i am after a few weeks aerobic training which is always the case this early on a season....i'm really looking forward to the 200 F/C

Thanks for reading and I'll catch-up with you guys after the weekend

James :)

Arena Powerfin's

It's been a while since I posted anything on here.....it's been manic! Back to High School after the summer break, started a new squad at the City of Leicester, plenty of homework that needs doing as soon as I get it and just trying to fit everything in :)

As part of our season's preparation, the squad has been running in the park on Tuesday night's....it's been brilliant, it's showed me how much i've missed running & i'm still quite rapid :)

I took delivery of some new Arena Powerfins the other day, I had a black pair before these but I've now outgrown them. They are the best for me as I know they are really making me work hard instead of those other makes that are sooo huge they only have to do 5 fly leg kicks with them on and they get to the end of the pool...to me, you're only cheating yourself and you'll wonder why you won't have that regional or national time by the end of the season :)

Arena Powerfins

What's your favorite piece of training equipment?

Coach Grant Kritzinger Camp

Had 3 great days at the Grant Kritzinger camp last week. Two sessions a day, 4 hours in the pool made me really think about loads of technical stuff. Starts, turns, transitions and brake-outs also learning about reactions times, entry and underwater work. Was pretty intense but was worth it....hope I remember it all! :)

Whilst we were at Loughborough ITC swimming pool, we had a nice surprise and met current 50m Backstroke World Record holder Liam Tancock  which was great, he was really nice :)

Liam Tancock having a quick questions and answers with us at the end of our session

Liam in the middle of the Kritzinger Squad, with me 2nd from top right smiling at the camera :)

Swim Camp with Olympic Coach Grant Kritzinger

I'm lucky enough to be going on a 3 day Performance swim camp with South African

coach Grant Kritzinger on the 21 - 23 August so I can't wait!

I'll be training at Loughborough University ITC in the mornings and then at Welbeck college in the afternoons so it's going to be busy :)

Leicester Sharks coaches +Darwin Davies and +Guy Worrow  will be there along with various coaches from the Leicester Penguins.

Coach Kritzinger has his own swim squad called Players in South Africa too. 

Grant Kritzinger

Grant is the coach for Cameron van der Burgh, who won gold at the 100m breaststroke in a new world record time at the London 2012 Olympics. Breaststroke is my favourite stroke so I'm really looking forward to some tips

Cameron van der Burgh

Coach Kritzinger has also been coaching the Maltese, fly and free swimmer, Andrew Chetcuti who holds 5 individual national records.

He was one of five athletes to compete for Malta in the London 2012 Olympics

Andrew Chetcuti

It's going to be AWESOME!

Having fun pool side with swimmerjd and charlieread2000

A little bit of footage of me and Charlie Read messing about after we'd

been talking to the camera man!

Click here to see it! 

Swim Wales Summer National Swim Video's

I've managed to find my heats and swims from the Welsh Nationals and save them to

Tube Chop so that I can only see my races instead of the whole session :)

I seem a little way down on the other swimmers during my races...thats because they are 14 and i've only just turned 13 so I'm not that far down really! (In the 1st and 4th video I'm nearest the camera at the start)

200 IM Lane 1 (finished 10th 13 year old)

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/1384672

200 Breast Stroke Lane 7 (finished 5th 13 year old)

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/1384883

100 Breast Stroke Lane 2 (finished 10th 13 year old)

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/1384899

200 Back Stroke Lane 1 (finished 6th 13 year old)

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/1384911

400 Freestyle Lane 4 (finished 5th 13 year old)

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/1384926

Success at the British Gas Swim Wales Summer Nationals!

I had an amazing time at the Welsh Nationals, spent time with my mates, had a BBQ with Charlie Read (and his mum and sister, that's Charlie in the photo!) and Simon Scully at Charlie's campsite.

The event was streamed live for the whole week and now footage from every day is available to watch on YouTube

Below is a screenshot of me and Charlie that Swim Wales tweeted whilst we were there!

I had 5 great swims and got 5 PB's. I realised that the times that they had taken from the national rankings were short course times converted to long course as these were faster.

I'm really pleased that I've not put any time on considering it's at the end of the season.

These are my new times:

200 IM 2:37.81

200 Breast 2:57.83

100 Breast 1:24.68

200 Back 2:34.82

400 Free 4:47.25

:)

Swim Wales Poster

This is a poster that my dad +Darwin Davies has done for the City of Leicester squad for when we go to the Welsh Nationals in a few days. It's a photo of me at my first open meet about 4 years ago!

@SWIMLEIC  @SWIMWALES  #BGSN

A drive in a Caterham!

Just before we go into the last week of training for the season, I was lucky enough to be taken out by +Guy Worrow to let my hair down (or up!) in his Caterham. It was supremely quick (0-60 in 4.6 sec) and low to the ground.....could have stayed out all day :)

Next stop British Gas Swim Wales Summer Nationals!

Live Streaming of British Gas Swim Wales Summer Nationals 2013

Just found out that there'll be live streaming of the Welsh Summer Nationals of all the heats and finals how cool is that? Coverage starts on 27/7/2013 - 02/08/2013

I was looking forward to it before, now I can't wait!

My entries are:

200 IM 2:37.71

200 Breast 2:58.04

100 Breast 1:24.34

200 Back 2:32.83

400 Free 4:46.66

Follow me on twitter to find out how I get on swimmerjd ;)

City of Leicester Sprint Meet at the Pool of Dreams!

Had a great day at the City of Leicester Sprint Meet at Loughborough University's

"Pool of Dreams"

This is a photo of me and some of my team mates taking a breather during lunch

the weather was great :)

Part of the City of Leicester Squad Loughborough ITC July 2013

Braunstone Sprints 3 Gold's and a Silver!

I had a great day on Sunday at the Braunstone Sprints Open Meet, it was good to spend all day with my Sharks mates, hadn't seen a few of them for a while. Got some good times, would have liked to have dropped a second on my 50 free and 50 fly as I've been working on my fly, lots have improved but I want the times to show it. It'll be my last Braunstone Sprints so it was good to finish well.

I came 2nd in the boy's aggregate time by just under a second, it was my fly and free that cost me first place but I'm very happy with what i've got as I'm not really a sprinter!

50 Back 33.74 Pos 1

100 Free 01:02.41 Pos 1 (mqt)

100 IM 01:13.46 Pos 1

50 Breast 38.61 Pos 2

50 Fly 35.32 Pos 4

50 Free 29.97 Pos 5

Aggregate Time: 04:33.51 (Pos 2)

I'm on twitter too @swimmerjd :)

British Gas Swim Wales Summer Nationals

Below is a photo of me standing outside the Wales National Pool Swansea last year where I took part in the Welsh Nationals. I'm really looking forward to it this year as we'll have quite a big squad going from the City of Leicester and it'll be cool to compete with my mates for a few days plus it's a really nice pool!

This year I've entered for the following races:

200 IM 2:37.71, 200 Breast 2:58.04, 100 Breast 1:24.34, 200 Back 2:32.83, 400 Free 4:46.66

Can't wait!

Don't forget to follow me on twitter @swimmerjd :)

My Personal Best Times

You'll see a screen shot below of all of my current pb's. I'm looking forward to the Braunstone Swimming Club Sprint meet this Sunday where I'll be competing with 68 Leicester Sharks swimmers, we'll be the biggest club there. It'll be good to get some short course 50m sprint times in the bag. The following week it's the City of Leicester long course sprint meet  where we'll be at the Loughborough ITC 50m pool

Hopefully I can get plenty of pb's over the next couple of weeks before we go to the Welsh Nationals at the end July before a well earned rest over the summer :)

Champion (Inspiration)

I like this type of thing, it makes you think....

follow me on twitter too @swimmerjd

Virtual Notice Board

Below is a virtual notice board of some of the things from this blog along with some times and some other virtual stuff! :)

thanks +Darwin Davies for making it look so real!

Exceptional (Inspiration)

My TYR Alliance Team Backpack 2

The only bag I ever want to be poolside with, my TYR Alliance Team Backpack 2, i'd be lost without it and so would most of the swimmers around the world I think.

It's big, strong, it's got loads of pockets and it's cool to customise. Mine's only got the badge I got for swimming for my county, an ID tag that my dad made and Ross Davenport's and Melanie Marshall's autographs but the girls at the City of Leicester have lots of things hanging from thiers!

What have you got hanging on yours?, maybe +TYR Sport Inc. should start a "what's on yours" photo campaign on twitter and on google+, i'm sure they'd get loads of picture tagged on @TYRSport

Don't forget to follow me on twitter @swimmerjd

200m Breast Regional (Midlands) Ranking Time

Hi guys, I saw this today whilst i was looking at my official times on-line at swimming.org. It was nice to see that i'm currently 6th in the region, in my age group. I've been working on my breaststroke lately and it feels really strong, can't wait for another short course meet to try it out!

There's also a few of my mates on there that I train with every day, Joshua Monroe, Elliot Ives and Joel Weston

Wherever you are in the world, what's your best ranked time?

Don't forget to follow me on twitter @swimmerjd :)

A few of my medals

Thought i'd upload a few shots from one of my medal shelves. This one shows my boxes for my Speedo Fastskin³ Elite jammers, Fastskin³ Elite goggles, Arena Powerskin R-Evo+ jammers and my Arena Cobra goggles that I use for training.

It also shows my medals from the City of Leicester open meet, the Coventry open meet, some from the County Championships, one from the Leicester Sharks and various others.

The one below are my medals from the Nuneaton and Bedworth Spring Qualifying Meet where I had my best meet ever....I won 4 Golds and 1 Silver and got into my first final!

My Beats Solo HD's

These are my Beats™ by Dr. Dre™ Solo™ HD headphones that I use when I'm poolside at swim meets....it wouldn't be the same without my Beats!

Dr Dre Beats Solo HD's get me in my zone

Michael Jamieson winning Silver 2012 Olympics

Racing in the 2012 Olympics Michael Jamieson won a silver medal in the 200 breast. He broke the British record three times, twice in the heats and once in the final!

We were in Swansea at the Welsh Nationals during the Olympics last year...it was great to be at such a huge swimming event during the Olympics, it made it very exciting!

We're going to the Swim Wales Summer Nationals again this year but going with the squad from the City of Leicester Swimming Club instead of just my family like last year...it'll be great to have my mates with me this year!

Last Day at Midlands Championships :(

Just relaxing after a long lunch and a new PB of 2.19.54 on 200m free long course. I went out hard on the first 100m and got 1.06.97....I paid the price for the last 50m though!

I went back poolside after lunch and got a 10 sec PB on my 200m I.M with a 2.39.38, pleased with that as long course isn't my thing usually

See you later!

Midland Age Group Championships Kit

It's been a busy week so far, moved up into year nine at school before the end of term, steady training, mainly short distance sprints and skills work. There's no training tomorrow morning as some of the squad are at the Midland Age Group Championships again. I'll be there all day Sunday where I'll be swimming 200 free and 200 I.M.

I've been wearing my new Midland hoodie and hat this week at training....after just missing out on a few Midlands qualifying times last year, it's taken 18 months to get those...It feels good to wear them at last!

I'll give you an update on Monday how I got on at the last day of the Midlands

Don't forget to follow me on twitter @swimmerjd :)

Midland Champs Hoodie and Hat

British Swimming Heroes Tour 2012

I found this photo of me and my sister +Hannah Davies at the British Swimming Heroes Tour last year at Coventry where we spent a few hours in the pool with all sorts of swimming olympians and paralympians including Michael Jamieson, Ross Davenport and James Goddard.

I'm second from the right middle row pulling the cheesey grin with my thumbs up and my sister is third from the left second row!

My Arena swim kit

I suppose it's like everything, it all comes down to choice and what gives you the confidence and ability to train well and compete at your best.

For training I only use the Arena Cobra goggles, in my mesh bag I have my kickboard pro along with my Arena powerfins and freeflow pullbouy

I have other brands of jammers for training and competing but my favorites are the Arena Powerskin R-Evo+ jammers, I wore these to get all of of my Midlands Championships regional qualifying times.

I've got my sights set on a pair of the new Fina approved Arena Powerskin Carbon Pro's but they'll have to wait until i've saved up :)

First day at the Midlands

Saturday 1st June was my first day at the Midlands Championships, I had a good day and PB'd on both of my swims. It's always nice to get your Midlands qualifying times at the Midlands!

The sun is shining and I'm off to training as usual tonight, looking forward to another week of taper training ready for another weekend at the Midlands :)

follow me on twitter :)
@swimmerjd

Midland Age Group Championships this weekend!

It's the first weekend of the Midland Age Group Championships starting this Saturday. Can't wait! I'll be doing the 200 back and 400 free on Saturday.....having a good rest this week ready to smash it!

James Davies branding update

My dad's added the blogspot address and changed the colours slightly. I like this one!

Improving my front crawl

At training, I'm trying to improve my front crawl with the help of my coach at the City of Leicester +Suzi Bowen. Last night's session went well and it felt better....I know how I want it to be!

Today i'm at the local sports track all day (instead of school!) where I'll be running the 1500 metres. I'll hopefully see some of the city squad that I train with all the time....should be good as long as it isn't raining all day :(

Leicestershire County Championships

This is a picture of me (top middle) and some of my Leicester Sharks teammates at the last night of the Leicestershire County Championships

The championships take place over 3 weekends in March where around 450 swimmers compete from all over the county. It's a really busy time and there's hardly any room poolside

I was one of 42 swimmers in my age group, swimming 9 events in the championships and 

winning silver for my 400 freestyle. Here I am holding my trophy for finishing 4th overall in my age group within Leicestershire

Me at the LASA's

No swimming at the weekend!

Had a quiet weekend with only training on Saturday morning and the gym on Sunday

Here's another version of the logo being worked on by my dad....this one would look good on a white shirt or white swimming hat :)

Ponds Forge

Nothing more to say other than that I love this place....that's me in lane 1 at Ponds Forge

Midland Age Group Championships

Looking forward to going to the Midland Age Group Championships in June this year. Got qualifying times in the 200 and 400 free, 200 back and 200 I.M. Would really of liked my 200 breast too but ended up just over a second off....I'll get it before the end of the season!

In the training pool at Swimtech Leicester

Here's a picture of me at Swim Tech Leicester after a session of technique analysis with +Darwin Davies and +Guy Worrow 

And here's a little video of me trying to find the best pace to work on my breast stroke in the training pool