The idea
The current blocks are not operational which means we cannot introduce the Preliminary Competition Start Award to our academy swimmers or allow our competing swimmers to practice race starts.
This puts our swimmers at a disadvantage when we go and compete against other larger clubs within the South East region.
The lack of blocks also means that children who are having swimming lessons run by the leisure centre do not have the ability to learn to safely dive from blocks during lessons.
When these blocks have been purchased the club intend to make them available to teachers taking the swimming lessons at the centre to ensure that the whole community benefit from this project and not just the swimming club
What we'll deliver
- The installation of new starting blocks at chipping Norton Leisure Centre
Why it's a great idea
As we have said above the purchase of these starting blocks will enable us to assist our swimmers in reaching their full potential as well as assisting in the development of younger swimmers as they go through their first stages of learning to swim and becoming competent in the water.
Once purchased the blocks will be used on a regular basis and will be in use for a considerable number of years contributing to the development of future generations of young people growing up.
This purchase will also help our small club of 160 swimmers continue to develop and increase our chances of being more competitive against the bigger clubs in the region by allowing us to improve our facilities in line with those available to the bigger clubs
Steps to get it done
- The blocks will be purchased and installed as soon as we have reached the required funding
The 500 range starting blocks are designed to meet the guidelines of the ASA Competitive Start Award and still be within FINA regulations...
SHALLOW END: Minimum depth 0.9m, maximum depth 1.0m, recommended height of the starting block from the water 500mm.
DEEP END: Minimum depth 1.35m, recommended height of the starting block from the water 500mm minimum and 750mm maximum.
In the interest of safety, when purchasing new blocks, pools are now encouraged to go for blocks that meet the minimum height requirement under FINA regulations - this being 500mm - hence ‘500’ Range.
Stainless steel tubular framework including backstroke bar
Platform with slip resistant surface
Lane numbers on both sides
