Tis the season for training camps, especially for countries where sunlight in the winter months is at a premium.
That is one of the reasons that the Dutch national team has already begun training on Phuket Island in Thailand, “From experience we know that winter is a difficult time for swimmers,” said National Team Director Joop Alberda.
“The days are short, it is cold and dark. And yet you have to charge be motivated to train day in and day out. Therefore, we chose to spend the first week in the new year abroad, in a country where it’s warm. The sun is a huge energizer.”
At this point of the year Amsterdam has about 8 hours of sunlight each day.
Since the Dutch do not have a lot of competitions planned at this time of the year they have also brought their most talented swimmers and coaches together to plan and begin the process of training for Rio. Alberda feels that having everyone together to discuss where and how they can improve will be highly productive, “The ‘agenda’ of athletes and staff is empty,” said Alberda.
“We’re going to look together at the overall route to Rio 2016.”
“This should result in a perfect route to 2016.”
The camp will run from January 10th-21st.
Swimmers Elite Team
Ranomi Kromowidjojo
Femke Heemskerk
Moniek Nijhuis
Inge Dekker
Sharon Rouwendaal
Maud van der Meer
Esmee Vermeulen
Ferry Weertman
Marcel Schouten (European Champion Team Event)
Based on performance at the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing (medalists):
Maaike de Waard (and based on results Amsterdam Swim Cup)
Mathys Goosen
Kyle Stolk
Based on results during the Amsterdam Swim Cup:
Martin Brzoskowski
Sebastiaan Verschuren
As training partners:
Wendy van der Zanden
Saskia de Jonge
Bram Dekker
Staff
Joop Alberda, technical director
Patrick Pearson, trainer / coach
Marcel Wouda, trainer / coach
Martin Truijens, trainer / coach
Kees Robbertsen, trainer / coach
Aad van Groningen, team manager
Reinier de Groot, MD
John Herber, physiotherapist
Sander Transcript, race analyst
Sander Ganzevles, race analyst
Scott Dickinson, strenght & conditioning
They won’t be taking their Arena rendition outfit .