Training goes swimmingly for Ryde Talented Athlete

National-level swimmer Joe Carter (15 years old) is keeping up with training from the safety of his home in Ryde.

Since the pools and gyms have been closed due to the coronavirus outbreak, Joe has been busy at home building a gym and installing an above-ground pool so he can carry on with his training.

Using his savings from birthdays and Christmas and with the help of friends and family, Joe has managed to put together enough equipment to hopefully maintain his fitness so when the time comes he can resume his swimming career and hopefully be ready for the British Nationals which he qualified for just before lockdown.

Joe says: “Everything happened so suddenly, one week I was competing in a national qualifier in one of the best venues in the world, then like everyone else I was having to stay at home. Swimming is such an important part of my life that my family helped me to create the perfect home training set up – thanks to all dad’s hard work our home has been converted into a mini leisure centre!”

The whole family is involved in Joe’s training with his dad Mike, a coach at Seaclose Swimming Club, keeping an eye on Joe’s technique – and older brother Jack acting as lifeguard!

Stuart James, Marketing and Innovations Director from Wightlink which sponsors Joe through the Talented Athlete scheme says: “We are really impressed with Joe’s home set up and pleased to see he is managing to keep up with his training. Prior to recent events Joe was a regular traveller with Wightlink to attend competitions around the country. Like a lot of Island athletes, we are proud to assist with travel and are looking forward to welcoming all of our sponsored athletes back onboard when sporting events resume.”

Before lockdown started, Joe achieved six personal bests from six races at the 2020 London Region Spring meet (which was a qualifier for the British and English Championships), returning to the Isle of Wight with two golds in 50 and 100 freestyle and two silvers in 100 butterfly and 200 individual medley.

Joe has also been selected as a finalist in the 2019 Isle of Wight Sports Achievement Awards.