Beyond the pool

Annabel A (Year 11) describes the rigours and rewards of high-level competitive swimming to Pin Oak reporter Eliza B (Year 11).

What does your weekly routine look like?

My weekly routine consists of six morning swimming trainings, which generally start at around 5-5:30am. Four to five after school gym sessions a week, one Pilates class and three running sessions. As well as this I have to balance school, assessments, homework and my social life.

How do you balance school and swimming?

Maintaining being a senior at school whilst being a high-level swimmer can be extremely challenging, particularly now with the stress of upcoming exams looming and nationals which takes place in 3 weeks. So, in order to balance school and swimming I have to get creative. This can be through finding that extra time to slot in homework after training or doing schoolwork at or on the way to competitions. In addition to this I prioritise time out for myself and my mental health by going out with friends, walking my dog, or going on trips to Sydney with my mum. This way I feel less overwhelmed and I can create a more balanced lifestyle, which overall improves both my swimming and academic performance.

How do you calm your nerves before a big event?

Before a race, I relax by talking to my friends and listening to upbeat music. I find that this focusses my mind whilst also making me more relaxed. The main thing I work on is not taking everything too seriously – the more relaxed I am, the better I tend to perform.

What advice would you give to another student trying to take their sporting to the next level?

The most important step is to have fun, because there is no point doing a sport you do not enjoy or don’t have the passion for. Athletes tend to put a lot of pressure on themselves to always perform at their best, and along the way they often lose their passion for their sport and forget to have fun.

What does the future look like for you?

My upcoming goal for swimming is to reach the finals at Nationals, in three weeks’ time. Later on, I’d love to go to America for university and get a swimming scholarship to study physiotherapy at UCLA.