Meet The Team

Ian Wood

Ian has been involved in swimming for over 50 years, from being a competitive swimmer in his early days through to a master’s Open Water competitor in his 60’s. During this time Ian has been a swimming teacher, swim school coordinator, competitive swimmer, Regional Director of Swimming for the East Midlands (ASA), Swim England Tutor, Swim England Tutor Trainer, Open Water Coach and Open Water Tutor Trainer (Swim England and Swim Ireland).

Ian currently swims for Ilkeston Swimming Cub and since returning to competitive action in 2022 has enjoyed plenty of success in open water events, namely:

• East Midlands Swimming Regional winner (over 60’s 5km) – 2023
• Best Fest Colonial Classic series (Mallorca 2023) – 2nd in over 60’s
• Rutland 4km (3rd male 2022, 6th male 2023)
• Eton Dorney Long Swim (2nd over 60’s 2022)

Ian has a passion for swimming, especially open water swimming, and enjoys working with swimmers of all abilities, whether they are looking to experience open water for the first time, looking to enter a personal challenge or race for the first time or are looking to improve their swimming times as part of a triathlon or competitive open water swim.

David Blanchard

David enjoyed national success as a junior rower which gave him a life long interest in sports performance.

He came back to swimming in the July of 2021 and has made remarkable progress over the last two years.

Now a qualified Open Water Life Guard and member of the STA David swims for Ilkeston Masters and has enjoyed success in his age group at;

• East Midlands Swimming Regional 2nd (over 60’s 5km) – 2023

• Best Fest Colonial Classic series (Mallorca 2023) – 5th in over 60’s

• Rutland 4km (2nd in category 2022, 3rd in category 2023)

• Henley Swim Festival 2nd in category (4 x 1mile)

• Eton Dorney Long Swim (2nd in category 2022)

With a desire to pass on his swim and sports performance knowledge in a safe and positive environment he welcomes swimmers of all ages and abilities knowing they will leave any of the courses a better and happier swimmer.

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