Hour Long Coached Swim Training Session

THURSDAY SQUAD 8:00pm. 7 Sessions from 10th September to 22nd October 2026

For ADULT swimmers who wish to have a go at an hour of swim-training in the spectacular environment of Portishead's 33 metre Open Air Pool - often with a stunning sunset. The aim is to improve general fitness with some tips on technique, but without having to target specific times or gala performance.

IS THIS FOR YOU? - This is swim-fitness training, not learn to swim. You should already be able to comfortably swim 200m front crawl without stopping, and repeat that frequently enough in an hour to cover the distances described below. If your swimming is not yet up to this, then check out my other events for the "Beginners" and "Improvers" courses, or the Development Pod which is designed as preparation for squad.

What happens in the sessions?

My aim is to work you hard, keep it fun and interesting, but build in enough flexibility that it is neither pressured nor intimidating. Sessions will be predominantly based around front-crawl, and I will no doubt sneak in some unusual skills to practice and some open-water based techniques.

I have three lanes (33 metre pool), seven swimmers per lane, following either an INTERMEDIATE or EXPERIENCED set. You do not need to specify or choose which when booking.

INTERMEDIATE - will swim between 1500m to 2000m (45 to 60 lengths) depending on the style of set.

EXPERIENCED - will swim between 2000m to 2500m (60 to 75 lengths) depending on the style of set.

Who is your Coach?

Alec Richardson is a Level 2 Open Water Swim Coach, with a background of competitive swimming in his youth. He loves swimming outdoors, and in August 2017 he swam across the Bristol Channel from Penarth to Clevedon. He enjoys running sessions for people who just want to use swimming as a great way to exercise, but also works with individuals from beginners through to English Channel swimmers.

Find out more about him on Facebook at Alec Swim Coach

Check out the story of his Bristol Channel Swim in his book Ask Me Why I'm Stood Here

If you have a Facebook account, then please join the Portishead Evening Squad group to keep tabs on any developments.

If you know you have holidays or work trips booked which will mean you missing a significant number of sessions, but still want to take part, please do message me to discuss.

By purchasing a ticket for these sessions, you agree to the following:

HEALTH and SWIM-FITNESS DECLARATION

By purchasing a ticket for this course you are confirming that you are physically fit and healthy enough to take part in the swimming sessions as described. In particular, respiratory, heart or circulatory conditions can be an issue. If you have any restrictions to your movement it is helpful for your coach to know this. If you have any concerns or underlying medical conditions then please contact the organiser to discuss them or speak to your coach BEFORE entering the water.

• On entry to the pool please register with your coach

• Correct swimming lane choice, and safe operation within the lane during the session will all be dealt with at the start of each session once you are in the water. You must follow the instructions of your coach with regard to direction of swim, stroke etc. to avoid potentially dangerous situations. Failure to do so will result in you being instructed to leave the pool.

• Should a session need to be cancelled at short notice (e.g. the wind being too strong to safely remove the pool cover) you will be informed as soon as practically possible via email using Eventbrite’s email system. I will also endeavour to get a message out via the Portishead Evening Squad Facebook group.

Ticket Purchase, Cancellations and Refunds.

Tickets can only be purchased in advance online for a complete 7 week block. Swim spaces are not refundable, and they are not transferrable. In the unlikely event that a session has to be cancelled by us, we will attempt to offer an alternative date; a refund for that session only will be issued if this is not possible. Eventbrite's own booking fees cannot be refunded.

Description supplied by the event organiser.