Here are the posts for October 2009

From Sunday 25th October to Tuesday 27th October, 38 Wyre Forest swimmers attended Swim Camp 2009 in Cardiff.  The swimmers ranged from 10 years old to 18 years old.  The swimmers trained in 6 intensive training sessions over the 3 days - one with Cardiff Swimming Club. Other activities included ice skating at the rink next to the pool and kayacking and raft building in Cardiff Bay. Club members can see some of the pictures taken on the Forum.
 

Thanks to John, James, Peter, Becki and Jane for looking after the swimmers and a special big thanks to Becki for organising the trip. We were also joined by Fran O'Connor on the last night fresh from her return from Reykjavik.

The swimmers were (in no particular order): AJ, Calum, Jake, Jack R, Eri, Paige, Lol, Emma, l'il Beth, Sophie H, Katy, Imi, Alex S, Dan, Luke H, Sam R, Nick, Luke B, Connor, Hayden, Jordan, Max B, Jack B, Steve, Max L, Josh, Alex T, Sophie H-J, Eliza, Faith, Megan, Pippa, Megs, Lizzie, Grace, Fran, Jess S, Jess C and Lottie.

IPC European Swimming Championships

Wyre Forest Swimming Club members, Claire Cashmore and Fran O’Connor experienced contrasting fortunes at the European Swimming Championships held last week in Reykjavik. Over 650 swimmers competed and standards were very high with many new European and World records being set.

Claire (21) helped her 4 x 100 metre Medley Relay colleagues to win the Gold medal. They shattered the World record which had stood for nine years by 16 seconds. She also won Bronze medals in the 50 metre Freestyle and 100 metre Breaststroke events. She came fifth in the 100 metre Butterfly.

Fran (18), competing in her first major event, was disqualified in the 50 metre Freestyle for moving early on the Blocks. She was the third fastest qualifier for the 100 metre Freestyle final but, with 20 metres to go, swallowed water as she battled to hold on to third place which caused her to pause to get her breath, finally finishing eighth.
 

As some swimmers and coaches are going on the swim camp during half-term, the following alterations have been made to training sessions:

Sunday 25th October - There will be NO session at Stourport 7-8.30pm. Any swimmers who wish to swim can swim in the 6-7pm session.

Monday 26th October - NO session at Stourport

Tuesday 27th October - NO early morning session. NO 7.30pm session at Holy Trinity (swimmers can swim in the 6-7.30pm session). The 7.30pm session at Stourport for the Advanced group will continue as normal.

Wednesday 28th October - NO early morning session.

Results are on the Forum

On Saturday 10th October the ‘A’ Team travelled to The Pingles Pool in Nuneaton for their first round of the National Swimming Arena League in the 1st Division. The other teams competing in this group were: Chase, Nuneaton & Bedworth, Long Eaton ‘A’, Derby Phoenix and Haden Hill.

The competition was extremely fierce and Wyre Forest ‘A’ was 3rd place with 191 points just behind Nuneaton & Bedworth. Chase came 1st with 211 points, Nuneaton & Bedworth came 2nd with 198 points, Long Eaton ‘A’ came 4th with 168 points, Derby Phoenix came 5th with 137 points and Haden Hill came 6th with 134 points.

There were some amazing individual races, which are not necessarily reflected in the results.

1st Places in Individual Events: Amy Smith Open 4 lengths Fly and 4 lths free, Eliza Bradley 15/u 4 lths Fly, Scott Allin Open 4 lths Back, Beth Hinton 10-11 2 lths Breast, Sophie Hall 10-11 2 lths Free, Meg Tinsdale 13 & under 4 lths Free and Luke Ladbrooke Open 4 lths Free.

1st Places in Team Events: The Girls 15/u 4X2 Freestyle Relay Team of Eliza Bradley, Faith Ross, Megan Tinsdale and Lizzie Hall.

Our newly formed Wyre Forest ‘B’ Team travelled all the way to Leighton Buzzard for their round in the 3rd Division.

Unfortunately they did not fair as well as the ‘A’ Team despite there being multiple personal best times achieved. Wyre Forest ‘B’ came 5th with 145 points. Gloucester ‘B’ came 1st with 231 points, Leighton Buzzard came 2nd with 228 points, Bilston came 3rd with 218 points, Cinderford came 4th with 173 points.

Hannah McCreedy gained the only first place for WF ‘B’ in the gala in the girl’s 13/u 4 lths backstroke. Well done Hannah.

Despite the result the team bonded well - many of the swimmers had not competed at this level before -and in addition there were some great personal best achievements against surprisingly stiff opposition.
 

On Sunday 4th October Philip Harrison (18) swam in the County Sprints at Wolverhampton. He was 2nd in the 50m Breastroke age-group and 3rd in the Open. Phil was 2nd in the 50m Freestyle age-group and 2nd in the Open. In the 100m Breastroke Phil gained the gold medal in his age-group and also in the Open.

Well done Phil.