this weekend I competed for this big tournament for 50 and 100 m butterfly and also supposed to compete in 50 m freestyle. Due to an important test in Math on Friday I missed the 50 m freestyle. But I did the other two with PBs (+0.81 s - 50 m and 2.26 s - 100 m). For 100 m I am reserve for the final and I might compete in relay medley, not sure though yet. It was a difficult competition but I feel great now.

I forgot to mention that last Saturday I also participated in relay 4 x 100 m freestyle, my time was 1:09.19 which was fine, basically keeping my time from last month. But last night I was called for the relay 4 x 100 m medley where I swam 100 m butterfly. I managed a great time 1:16.81, about 1 s better than the morning 100 m butterfly (1:17.94). I am very happy as I felt a bit stuck in butterfly lately.

The first weekend of counties have been and gone for Ava. 4 long course pbs out of 6 races with a 4th in the 100m back and 7th in the 400IM. Unfortunately her 50m fly and breast were off her pb from last year, so work to be done on her sprint events. She has a full programme of 8 events to get her teeth into to complete her Essex Age Groups 2025 campaign this weekend. Let’s hope it’s another positive one.

Okay, parents, let’s talk about something awkward. You know those moments when you’re watching your swimmer at practice, and you think, "I could fix this in, like, two seconds if they’d just LISTEN TO ME?” Yeah, about that. Here’s the deal: To your swimmer, your advice is like broccoli. Full of vitamins, nutrients, and wisdom... but also the thing they instinctively shove off the plate. Why? Because you’re their parent. And when it comes to swimming, parents are automatically coded as: 1. Emotionally biased. 2. Totally out of touch with modern swimming techniques (even if you’re not). 3. Trying too hard. The result? Everything you say—even if it’s Olympic-level genius—goes in one ear, out the other, and splashes into the pool drain. But wait, it gets better. Even if they do hear you, there’s a good chance you don’t have the exact process to get them from “nervous wreck in the call room” to “calm, focused competitor.” You know the destination. But the roadmap? That’s a whole different thing. Now here’s where it gets hilarious (in a “laugh so you don’t cry” kind of way): If someone else—someone cool, someone who’s not you—tells them the exact same thing you’ve been saying, they’ll nod sagely and say, “Wow, that’s so true.” What? Yep. It’s the law of parenting: You’re broccoli, but someone else can be pizza. So, here’s my advice: Don’t sweat it. Lean into this dynamic. Let someone else—like, say, an ex-Olympian who gets your kid—step in and say the same thing in a way that lands. Because sometimes, the best way to be a great parent is to invite help from outside. Feel seen? 😁 Put your thoughts in the comments below. PS: Only 5 spots left for the "Call Room Mastery" live training tomorrow.

My kid started swimming competitively just few months ago. Before his races he was always very stressed and afraid of coming out of the pool last. This caused him a lot of stress... He has been applying the breathing technique constantly and in the last race last week hel told me that he was much more focused on himself and not on others and he managed to swim better; in fact his PB improved of a couple of seconds. He came out of the pool second to last, but happy with himself! So a big win even without a medal!!!!