Bob Brandwood, Head Coach
Lara Curtis, Assistant  

The 2011-2012 swimming season runs from December through mid-February.

Swim Program (Boys and Girls) FAQs
The following question/answer format is intended to introduce you to the Swimming Program at Blair: the questions that are presented are the ones I've found raised most often by prospective students who are considering the swim team at Blair Academy.

When does the swim season begin/end?
The swim season begins two days after the conclusion of the fall sports season; this is usually about November 15. The season ends about February 18 with the State Prep Meet.

Is experience necessary?
Although most of the students who come out for the team have had competitive swimming experience at either the club, age group, or high school level, there are others who have had no formal competitive experience. However, those who lack competitive experience have had a strong interest and ability in recreational swimming.

What is the general make-up of the team?
Usually there are about 28 swimmers equally divided between girls and boys.

How are practices organized?
Boys and girls work out as a single team with the most experienced swimmers in lane #1 and the beginners in lane #6. Each lane has an individualized workout depending on the ability and stroke capabilities of the swimmers in that lane.

How hard are the workouts?
The team works out for two hours six days a week. The most experienced swimmers swim as much as 6,000 yards per day and the beginners about 3,800 yards.

Are there morning workouts?
No. You will need your sleep after a full "Blair Day."

How many dual meets are there during the season?
There are about 12 dual meets during the season. Depending on the number of swimmers, the boys and girls swim as separate teams in dual meets; in these meets boy and girl events are alternated. Recently, the Blair team has been a coed team, the boys and the girls swim as a single team against other coed teams from prep schools in the area.

What type of Championship Meets are available?
Near the end of the season there is a MAPL (our Athletic League) Tournament. The season concludes for most of the team with the State Prep Swimming Championships held in the middle of February each year. For those highly competitive swimmers who qualify, there is also the Eastern Interscholastic Swimming Championships for both girls and boys at the very end of February; this meet is held at LaSalle University and includes the top prep school swimmers in the Eastern United States.

What is the general ability of the swimmers on the team?
The ability of the swimmers varies dramatically from year to year. The school records are listed below:

How would I get more information about the swimming program at Blair?
Please feel free to contact me at any time during the year at either my office number in the English Dept. or at my home which is on campus (908) 362-9352. I would be delighted to talk to you on the phone or we could arrange a meeting when you are on campus. I look forward to hearing from you.

Bob Brandwood
Varsity Swimming Coach
brandr@blair.edu
(908) 362-6121 x5689