Splash! From getting wet from sweat to getting wet in the pool. Like a fish out of water, dry-land exercises are definitely not a complete training workout for swim training. But finally, they are swimming “back to normal.” I was privileged to interview our MGC New Life (MGCNL) resident swimming coach, Mr. Alfonso Mendoza Jr. (Coach Alfonz), team captain Aidan Kho, and co-captain Dominic Wong for this article. Here’s what the MGCNL Swim team has shared about this year’s swim training.
What are the benefits of face-to-face training over online training?
Coach Alfonz: “Face-to-face training allows you to develop appropriate skills needed for specific sports. Holistic development is very evident during face-to-face training. Corrections and proper training are given with immediate feedback. On the other hand, online training results in limited skills development and minimal correction due to a lack of physical guidance and observations.”
What do you look forward to this year for MGC Swimming Varsity?
Coach Alfonz: “I look forward to the Swimming Varsity flourishing in various Swimming competitions. I would like to see swimmers growing not only in quantity but in quality as well.”
The team captain and co-captain echo the optimism of Coach Mendoza for this year’s swim training…
How did the pandemic affect your development as a swimmer?
Dominic Wong: “To be honest I gained weight and lost my edge during the pandemic. The first few months were great. I was training twice a day and really watching my diet. I was in peak shape during that time. I would train with my brother and my dad, who’s a fitness junkie and would push us to exercise. But when he started going back to work, he didn’t have time to constantly keep us in check and my fitness level started going down from there.”
Aidan Kho: “I stopped swimming for a bit, but once we found a pool we could train in, our swim training resumed so it didn't really stunt my development.”
What motivates you to go back to face-to-face training?
Dominic Wong: “Two things motivate me to return to face-to-face training. One, because I love training with my friends. Secondly, I’m the third oldest member and second longest-tenured member of the team, and for the last few years, I would want to be the mentor for the younger kids as I had when I was a rookie.”
Aidan Kho: “I wanted to talk to more people than just my siblings during the quarantine, so face-to-face training enabled me to do that.”
What are the downsides of face-to-face training?
Dominic Wong: “The only downside I can think of is travel time and gas money, but I hardly call that a downside.”
Undoubtedly, the coach and swimmers are now transitioning and gearing up for upcoming events. With the drawbacks of online training behind them, take your mark and watch out for the MGCNL swim team for thrilling updates this school year.
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