View Full Version : Owen's Blog
If you are interested in keeping up with what is happening in the Welsh camp on the Gold Coast and then in Melbourne, Owen Morgan mailed me today and is very happy for Swimclub members to read it.:) http://spaces.msn.com/owenmorgan/
Photographs on his slideshow were taken by me at Cranleigh School a couple of weeks ago.:flash:
Chris
06-02-2006, 08:10 AM
Thread made sticky ....
Will be very interesting to read how Owen gets on.
:wave:
Chris
This Blog thing is quite interesting. You can reply to postings (sound familiar?). So if you know Owen go and say hello. Or you might just want to ask a question. You will need an MSN Passport.
Welsh Team pictures up on Owens Blog.
:confused: OK who went there and and left a comment on one of Owen's photos that he was a "Hunk"?:)
I wonder how many other admirers are out there?:eek:
Anyway Don Talbot worked with him again today so am pleased that his technique is not being ignored having busted a gut to get as much done as I could before his departure "Down Under".:D
Linny
22-02-2006, 06:36 PM
Look I'm only asking cos I don't know, but is it common practice for a coach, who is not a swimmer's regular coach, however well thought of he is (and Don Talbot is obviously well thought of), to be tinkering with a swimmer's technique 3 weeks out from a major championships? Or am I misunderstanding what Owen is writing in his blog? :confused:
It doesn't strike me as particularly wise, especially with a sprinter. I'm sure it would seriously p**s me off if I was his coach, I certainly can't imagine I would be thinking "Hey that's great!"
Linny
22-02-2006, 09:02 PM
Well waddya know!
I have never posted anything that has prompted quite so many members to send me private messages and I think I have posted some corkers.
Thank you everyone! :devil:
I hope it was all supportive of Owen as a swimmer. Which it should be. As we should be supporting all our swimmers.
Owen is a very astute young man and if he was at any time unhappy about being told things even by Don Talbot he would say so. He would also have phoned me. As it is, he has discussed with me fully what Don has been doing. So let us close the matter and look forward to supporting all our British swimmers in Melbourne.
The genuine support for Owen within Surrey clubs is much appreciated and will be passing on personal messages given to me today at CP, ASAP.
Owen is swimming at a meet in Brisbane this weekend to see how he prepared. 23.3 in training yesterday. A few of the England team are swimming as well. Will keep you posted.
Are you swimming Sean?
Sean Piper
06-03-2006, 08:06 PM
Hi Pete,
Haven't been here for a few days, but yes I swam at the meet on Sunday.
Chris Cozens pipped me at the post to win in 23.46.
I was second in 23.48
Owen came in third in 23.57
It was a good race!!
- Sean
Sounds tight on the finish Sean. Well done.
NotVeryFast
06-03-2006, 08:47 PM
Which of the other GB swimmers were there? Surely you didn't beat Mark Foster and Simon Burnett? :eek:
I did enjoy reading your blog entry Sean, I'm sure it was quite a novelty for everyone who turned up to have Team GB in attendance, I know I'd enjoy the experience if it were the other way round and the Australian team turned up to a meet I was at.
Which of the other GB swimmers were there? Surely you didn't beat Mark Foster and Simon Burnett? :eek:
I think they have been competing in America recently (or should have been!). Foster in the American SC Nationals and Burnett at the Pac 10s. Foster was down for the 50 free and it would have been an awesome race with others such as Crocker, Schoeman and Neil Walker competing but he pulled out. Simon swam a fast 200 yards free and a very decent backstroke leg.
I'm looking forward to the Commonwealths but I think they are gonna be starting round midnight each night. Am I right?
lost_in_finland
07-03-2006, 06:01 AM
results : http://www.brisswim.org.au/Results2005-2006/BSA04032006.htm
NotVeryFast
07-03-2006, 05:43 PM
I'm looking forward to the Commonwealths but I think they are gonna be starting round midnight each night. Am I right?
Got a tv guide for next week today, and coverage on BBC1 on 15th March is 23:10 - 07:00. Live coverage then continues 50 minutes later from 07:50 on the 16th to 12:30. There are highlights on BBC2 13:00-15:00 and 19:30-21:00.
This tv guide is giving the impression that swimming heats are early in the first part of the coverage, so around 11pm, and the finals are early in the 2nd part, so around 8am.
Martin-Y
08-03-2006, 11:45 AM
Schedule is here
http://www.melbourne2006.com.au/Competition+Schedule/Schedules+and+Prices/By+Sport/Aquatics/#swimming
Thats 9-11.30pm and 6-8.30am our time WRONG
Should read 11.00pm-1.30am for heats and 8.00am-10.30am finals
Slowcoach
09-03-2006, 12:25 PM
I think they have been competing in America recently (or should have been!). Foster in the American SC Nationals and Burnett at the Pac 10s. Foster was down for the 50 free and it would have been an awesome race with others such as Crocker, Schoeman and Neil Walker competing but he pulled out. Simon swam a fast 200 yards free and a very decent backstroke leg.
Pac 10s on TV. Found this on the Swim World magazine site.
Pac-10 Men's Champs to be Shown on Television -- March 9, 2006
PHOENIX, Arizona, March 9. THE Pac-10 Men’s Championships, held last weekend, will be shown on television Saturday by the Fox Sports Network. The competition is scheduled to be shown at 3 p.m. (PST) but fans should check their local listings for any changes. The broadcast will feature John Naber and Paul Sunderland.
The Pac-10 Championships resulted in Stanford winning its 25th consecutive championship, thanks to the contributions of Ben Wildman-Tobriner and Andy Grant, among others. The meet also featured stellar swims from California, Arizona and the University of Southern California. All four schools are expected to finish among the top 10 at the NCAA Championships.
Welsh Team arrived http://spaces.msn.com/owenmorgan/
Owen left this message today!
Questions.
If anyone has any thing they would like to ask about the Commonwealth Games please feel free to leave a question in the comments box. I can't promise an answer but I will try my best. Owen
http://spaces.msn.com/owenmorgan/
lane4
06-04-2006, 10:32 AM
Pete, I've read Owen's blog and clearly he enjoyed the experience but did not swim quite as well as he hoped for. Just wondered what your reflections on it were as his technique coach/guru?
We have loads of work to do starting next week. We have talked on the phone and e-mailed but we really need to sit down and talk through things. I think he gained a great deal from his first major championships. What is good is the positive attitude he has come back with and a determination to improve.
Owen's Blog has moved! (http://www.owenmorgan.co.uk)
Just Click the link!
I have to point out one thing. Owen criticises Bill for taking a team out to Oz to race at the states championships against some of the top swimmers in the world, but he can justify going to Canada when he says he struggles to fund himself. Well I think he is doing the exact same thing as Bill so either both are right or both are wrong.
Also, most athletes will find it hard to taper for a SC meet in mid December and then again at the end of March for a major LC meet. We did well at Europeans and the team should be looking to the major LC meets that brings up the profile of swimmers when they all swim well!
I have to point out one thing. Owen criticises Bill for taking a team out to Oz to race at the states championships against some of the top swimmers in the world, but he can justify going to Canada when he says he struggles to fund himself. Well I think he is doing the exact same thing as Bill so either both are right or both are wrong.
Also, most athletes will find it hard to taper for a SC meet in mid December and then again at the end of March for a major LC meet. We did well at Europeans and the team should be looking to the major LC meets that brings up the profile of swimmers when they all swim well!
Owen works 55 hours a week. He chose to go to Canada because there was some very fast opposition. If there were some major Long Course Meets in this country I'm sure he would not have journeyed to Canada. Owen used his own money to travel. Bill used thousands for the very long venture over something like six weeks. Bill used ASA or Lottery money. How many swimmers could be partially funded for a whole year who with the right training opportunities this would bring, might be elevated into the top elite. This can hardly be classed as the same as someone who treated five days in Canada as holiday leave, using cheap flights and budget hotels to break two Welsh records.
As for tapering: you will be tapering for March and July I would imagine Gina. The two most important events for our top British swimmers are Europeans (short) and Worlds (long). Not too much difference in the number of weeks between their tapers and yours.
Glad you brought up the issues. It all adds to interest giving our own opinions and others reading a healthy discussion. Thanks.
Owen works 55 hours a week. He chose to go to Canada because there was some very fast opposition. If there were some major Long Course Meets in this country I'm sure he would not have journeyed to Canada. Owen used his own money to travel. Bill used thousands for the very long venture over something like six weeks. Bill used ASA or Lottery money. How many swimmers could be partially funded for a whole year who with the right training opportunities this would bring, might be elevated into the top elite. This can hardly be classed as the same as someone who treated five days in Canada as holiday leave, using cheap flights and budget hotels to break two Welsh records.
As for tapering: you will be tapering for March and July I would imagine Gina. The two most important events for our top British swimmers are Europeans (short) and Worlds (long). Not too much difference in the number of weeks between their tapers and yours.
Glad you brought up the issues. It all adds to interest giving our own opinions and others reading a healthy discussion. Thanks.
At last, a chance to respond directly to you Pete.
I wholeheartedly agree.
I am ashamed of swimming's twisted logic, there being an apparent double standard.
Particularly when someone who is undoubtedly as talented as Owen is pushed aside.
If only one could change the mind-set of our 'masters' (for want of a better word).
If there is any way I can help, rather than 'take the gravy', please PM me.
The treatment he's getting contradicts Bill Sweetenham's lastest statement (from Swimnews on a separate thread).
Bill wants a finalist in every Olympic event.
I'd bet on that Owen, a swimmer who thinks outside the box, presents an excellent opportunity for exactly that.
And keep at it, do.
I know you are coaching him for the betterment of swimming, not for either personal glory, nor making that fast buck.
lane4
26-01-2007, 12:05 AM
The two most important events for our top British swimmers are Europeans (short) and Worlds (long). Not too much difference in the number of weeks between their tapers and yours.
Ah but Britain didn't taper for the Europeans (short) remember. The commentators said GB was swimming through that meet because they were focussing on the Worlds! By doing that we'll get better results at the Worlds whereas all those who tapered for Euros are now doomed in Melbourne!
lane4
26-01-2007, 12:11 AM
How many swimmers could be partially funded for a whole year who with the right training opportunities this would bring, might be elevated into the top elite.
Okay hypothetical question for you Pete. Just suppose for a minute that GB did an about turn and said hey Owen, your one of our leading sprint hopes for 2012, here's £10,000 to use in the next 12 months so that you can find the right training opportunities to elevate you into the top elite. As his coach, how would you recommend he use the money to achieve that goal?
Steve
26-01-2007, 07:58 AM
As for tapering: you will be tapering for March and July I would imagine Gina. The two most important events for our top British swimmers are Europeans (short) and Worlds (long). Not too much difference in the number of weeks between their tapers and yours.
Maybe, but they had also tapered in March for Commonwealths and July for Europeans. If they then also tapered for Euro SC and then again for Worlds next March, that makes 4 full tapers in a little over a year. I'm no coaching expert, but that sounds like a lot of tapering.
Katie
26-01-2007, 08:59 AM
I see where Gina's coming from, but if you were Owen, wouldn't you rather go to a really good meet with some excellent competition, than just doing another open meet where he regularly wipes the floor with pretty much all the other competitors? And Owen's really not doing the same thing as Bill, because Owen doesn't have the sort of money British Swimming have to throw around. If he was jetting off around the world all the time, to meets which don't really seem to have much benefit to him, that might not be seen as the best plan, but as it is, he's obviously looked carefully at the meets to swim and give himself the best chance to swim fast, and he's working his socks off the rest of the time to fund it. :)
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