Olympian Adam Peaty inspires swimmers in Winchester

Just weeks after winning a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, Adam Peaty spent eight days teaching the young swimmers across the UK. 

On Saturday, August 31, hundreds of keen swimmers from across the south travelled to Winchester Sport and Leisure Park to take part in the Olympian's AP Race Clinic. 

Peaty said: "We came to Winchester last year and realised there is a great community here who are passionate about sport. The facilities here are amazing - it is one of the best centres in the country."

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Adam Peaty coaches young swimmers throughout the day (Image: AP Race Clinic)

Alongside his elite team, including British champion Ed Baxtor, Peaty spends the day coaching youngsters in three different swimming stations. 

Swimmers also received advice from a psychologist, plus a strength and conditioning coach.

To end the event, Peaty gave a presentation on his career, including his recent Olympic experience, the lessons learned, and how he has maintained his world-class performance.

The Olympian helps swimmers in Winchester (Image: Newsquest)

The swimmer is passionate about inspiring the next generation. He told the Chronicle: "As an athlete myself, I have done it all, and I don't mean that as a brag, it means I started from the bottom like these kids.

"I tell them all it's a ladder and you need to start at the bottom. We need to give them the first steps to begin that climb. 

"It's not just about sport either, these are skills they will use for the rest of their lives."

Parents Jane and Tim Owen, from Newton Abbot in Devon, spent six and a half hours driving on Friday, August 30, so their daughter, Jemima, could take part in the Clinic.

Jemima with her parents Jane and Tim (Image: Newsquest)  

Tim said getting stuck in traffic was worth it: "She is a very promising swimmer, she does it four times a week and we had been watching the Olympics so it just made sense to come here."

Eight-year-old Jemima, who has been swimming since she was two, said: "It has been quite interesting, I have really liked learning new things like turns and starts." 

Also travelling from afar was Ava Buckley, 12, with her friend Lily Jasper, 11. The pair met at the City of Cardiff swim club, which Ava joined two years ago. 

Ava and Lily compete in Cardiff (Image: Newsquest)

Dad, Steve Buckley said: "It was her school swimming teacher who put her up for club, she used to be one of the coaches for the team and was really impressed with her. 

"She loves swimming and she loves Adam Peaty, so this clinic was a nice early Christmas and birthday present for her."

Ava, who has been swimming since she was three, said: "It was really cool this morning. I just love swimming because it's a way to meet new people and you can do all different races."

Lily added: "It was quite exciting to come here to be coached by an Olympian, I feel very grateful to be able to do it."

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Florence Hall described breaststroke as her favourite (Image: Newsquest)

Rachael Hall and her 11-year-old daughter Florence travelled from Kent to take part in the Race Clinic.

Mum, Rachael, who volunteers with the swimming club described the sport as the family's life. 

Speaking about the AP Race Clinic, Florence said: "It is amazing, I love breaststroke and wanted to improve."

Owen with mum Julie-Anne (Image: Newsquest)

Owen Hammond, 10, from Amesbury in Wiltshire, has been swimming competitively for two years across Hampshire and Wiltshire and aims for gold each time.

Mun, Julie-Anne, said: "It just popped up on Facebook and I thought it looked really good for him. It's a great thing to motivate him before the next season starts."

Kat and Isla Reese, from Chandler's Ford, were both impressed with what the AP Race Clinic had to offer.

Isla Reese and her mother, Kat, were impressed with the AP Race Clinic (Image: Newsquest)

Mum, Kat, said: "It is a birthday present for Isla, I just thought it was an excellent opportunity. 

"As a parent watching, you can see they are working with every single one of them in the pool and teaching them. Even the parent's session - giving advice to help support our child and stop burnout - has been very useful. 

Isla, who races for Eastleigh, said: "Adam has been really helpful, he has been giving one-to-one help which has been great.

"It is really cool to have an Olympian coach and teach us, give us all his tips, as he is one of the best in the world."

Alison Lewis, Everyone Active’s area contract manager, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Adam and his team to Winchester Sport and Leisure Park. This is an incredible opportunity for promising swimmers from our community to learn from one of the world's best, fresh from his Olympic performance."