Newsletter 8 July 2013
Latest News Welcome to the last newsletter of this swimming season which is almost at an end. Whilst hopefully more glory awaits our record number of WSMSC swimmers heading off to nationals – what a season it has been all round. This edition carries our usual write-ups of galas/meets, the Southern Junior League and South West Regional Championships, alongside reports received on Learn To Swim and water polo. A reminder to please support our kind sponsors who are backing us in 2013.
Brilliant Bethan swims 400 lengths of Burnham Pool to help young Deborah
Star billing this issue goes to Bethan Rees who completed an unbelievable 10 kilometre swim to give an African child a better life. Eleven year old Bethan has been sponsoring little Deborah Chome, six, from Kenya, for three years. Every year Bethan finds a different way of raising the £72 annual cost of giving Deborah an education. Through English language tuition, tackling basic maths and learning to read and write she will at least be given a chance to make something of her life.
This year Bethan decided to head to Burnham Pool, where she swam an incredible 400 lengths – raising around £300. Bethan was up at 05.30, in sub-zero temperatures, to start swimming at 6am when most 11 year olds on their Easter holidays would still be tucked up in bed. She swam front-crawl non-stop for 3.5 hours, turning onto her back every 10th length to sip a drink whilst still kicking.
Bethan told her local newspaper - the Weekly News - “I’ve always liked swimming and I just wanted a challenge. I was very relieved when I finished and very tired but I’m proud to have done it.”
Bethan met Deborah last year (photograph above) when she went to Kenya with her younger sister Megan and mum Sarah. Sarah said: “It was an eye-opener. We went to the Jolourabi School, which Deborah goes to, and went through the village and saw the poverty. It opened my children’s eyes as to what life can be like.” For further details about sponsoring a child and making a difference, please speak to Sarah. From all your friends at WSMSC – amazing Bethan. Well done. WSMSC PB LIST – NEW POLICY
Going forward we have decided that times will only go onto the PB (personal best) lists that have been achieved at licensed meets and tightly controlled events like Southern Junior League, Arena National League, Bristol North, etc.
We will not include times from events such as our Novice Gala, Club Championships, etc., where there are neither the required number of, nor qualified level, of officials (as per a licensed meet or a league competition) and DQ’s tend not to be enforced.
Paul and Nic Daniel have kindly agreed to continue to operate the PB list and will have times forwarded to them after each gala that we attend to be added to the PB list.
Where swimmers’ enter a gala not being supported by the club and get a PB that they would like to have added to the PB list, they can forward times on to the Daniels with proof of the time where possible (results sheet or weblink to the meet results, specifying event number and heat number etc.) and those times will then be added to the PB List.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WHEN ENTERING GALAS, ENTRY TIMES SHOULD BE TAKEN FROM THE SWIMMER’S BIOGS RATHER THAN THE PB LIST PARTICULARLY FOR LEVEL 1 AND LEVEL 2 MEETS WHERE ENTRY TIMES WILL INCREASINGLY BE CHECKED BY THE CLUBS ORGANISING THE MEET.
How do I access my child’s ASA biog to get their official times?
Go online and enter the following address into your browser: https://www.swimmingresults.org/biogs/
Either enter your child’s ASA registration number or your surname. If you enter the former, then click “go looking”, your child’s times will then appear (short and long course for all events). If you enter your surname, then click “go looking”, you will have to scroll down until you find your child, then click on their ASA member number and you will then see on the next screen their full biography. These biogs are updated after every single licensed event, usually within a few days of the event itself.
OFFICIALS UPDATE - Congratulations to Diane and Malcolm Anderson on passing their Judge 2 assessment at the Millfield Last Chance Meet. This adds stroke & place judging to their repertoire. Next stop – starters …….. then refs!!!!!!!!
ADVANCE DATES FOR YOUR DIARY - SOMERSET ASA COMPETITIONS
Development Meet 5th/6th October 2013 at Millfield – a super meet for swimmers to get official times with no need to enter an entry time for events.
2014 County Swimming Championships (“the Somersets”) 2nd March (Long Distance), 8th/9th March, 15th/16th March, and 22nd /23rd March (Millfield)
Millfield is also the confirmed venue for the 2015 and 2016 county championships.
Plymouth Leander will once again face the might of the purple army in round 1 of the 2013 Arena League. Leander recently won the overall National Arena League Final in April 2013 at Cardiff International Pool (if you ever want to know how to get there, Dave Brunsdon’s your man – provided you want the scenic route) for the fifth time in 6 years, defeating allcomers, with fellow Western Division teams - Taunton Deane (third) and Millfield (fifth) also performing incredibly well, demonstrating the strength of swimming in the south-west. The draw for the first round of the 2013 league competition has been made (venues haven’t yet been determined). The six teams who will slug out gala 1 on Saturday 12th October 2013 are:
Plymouth Leander Nofio Sir Gar A Weston-Super-Mare Bridgend Soundwell A Swim Bournemouth A PERSONAL SURVIVAL SUCCESS
Children’s safety in the water is a major concern for parents and guardians, and the ASA’s Safety and Survival Awards are designed to offer a little peace of mind. The awards cover survival knowledge, awareness of dangers and vital life-saving information – life-skills that no-one knows when could be called into play.
Many congratulations to the following WSMSC swimmers who have recently gained their Level 1 and 2 Kellogg’s ASA Personal Survival Awards:
Amber Spillane Taylor Kingston Bethan Anderson Jessica Knight Caitlin Ashurst George Cook Beth Bryant Amy Lance Reece Coombes
The Personal Survival Awards complement Stages 8-10 of the LTS. They ensure learners know how to react if they find themselves in difficulty by testing them in real-life situations. Well done everyone and many thanks to Phil for teaching the children so well and for assessing them.
Somerset Podiatry Clinic Footcare for all the family 01934 835858 1 Brinsea Road, Congresbury. BS49 5JF.
Verucca Verucca Corns, callus & bunions Achilles pain Foot or heel pain Athlete’s foot Fungal infection Diabetic footcare Ingrowing toenails Minor surgery Home visits
www.somersetpodiatryclinic.co. uk [email protected]
LIFEGUARD FLAGS – Keep Yourself Safe
Following on from the Personal Survival course and on reading about the number of drownings each year, Phil has very helpfully asked me to include information on lifeguard flags to run
through with your children, to ensure you all have a happy and safe holiday this summer. SUMMER AFETYS
As
LE ROUX CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC 266 Milton Road, Weston-super-Mare BS22 8EN
Award winning clinic meeting patients’ expectations
IN PAIN?
Chiropractic has great success in treating:
Back pain , Neck pain, Headaches, Leg pain, Arm pain , Sciatica , Disc problems , Tennis Elbow, Sports Injuries and Arthritis
Phone now to book your appointment on 01934 627733
WSMSC - Most Improved Swimmer Awards
As stated in the last newsletter, here is the photograph that appeared in The Mercury showing most of our MIS Award winners from the Christmas 2012 and Easter 2013 terms. Photographed are: back row (left to right) Amy Mathews, Immy Moroney, Ollie Elliott, Lauren Hodgkin and Holly Hudghton. Front row (left to right) are Lottie Dadds, Charlie Deakin and Rhianna Gardner. The other award winners (Marcus Gardiner and Tommy Kendall) were not available for the photograph. Well done to you all. These prizes are awarded on the basis of improvement and not ability. They are based upon observation by all of the club’s coaches and decided at the coaches meetings.
Swimmers – keep working hard and next time – it could be you!
An experienced and dedicated team with a specialism in providing local trades and labour to local businesses.
For all your construction personnel needs call:-
Harper Construction Recruitment 1 The Courtyard Yarborough Business Centre Banwell Road, Banwell Nr Weston-super-Mare. BS29 6ND Tel: 01934 823530 Fax: 01934 822225 email: [email protected] Web: www.harpercr.co.uk
COMING SOON – WSMSC/BONE CANCER RESEARCH TRUST “BONUS BALL LOTTO” – keep an eye out for more details of this new iniative
Quality legal help so you can relax
7-13 Oxford Street Weston-super-Mare North Somerset BS23 1TE 01934 623501
www.powellslaw.com Follow us on
Easter Open Meet Level 1 @ Millfield - 13/14 April
What a strange weekend this was. With Easter two weeks prior to this meet, how it could be called an Easter Meet seemed as odd as Wigan Athletic appearing in an FA Cup semi-final or even Cardiff City soon featuring in the Premier League (albeit only for 3 seasons, i.e. autumn, winter and spring). Anyway, on to the event itself, which was to be punctuated for some of our under-12s by the need to get to Horfield on the Saturday evening in time for the SJL round.
To the racing and with no runners in event 10, the first event (what is that numbering system all about????), it’s on to Rachel A, Bethan R and Jess D in the 100 breaststroke. In the 11s, a 0.34 second PB from Bethan in 1.38.06 secures 5th, with Rachel taking bronze in 1.34.70. Jess records a 0.89 second PB in 9th in the 12s in 1.32.11. To the girls 200 back – a while in coming – but well worth the wait. On top of the podium in the 11s, Rachel. Home in 10th, Hollie W in a new best time of 3.09.37. To the 12s, and just one swimmer, but what a swim it was. Immy’s golf medal winning swim of 2.34.03, a PB, but also another national qualifying time, touching in 2.34.03 and well under the NQT of 2.35.36 – super stuff Immy – well done!
dmb building contractors
Dave Brunsdon Alterations/Maintenance/Repairs 35 St. Marks Road Building Contractors Extensions Worle Guttering Weston-super-Mare House Builders Fascias BS22 7PF General Builders Refurbishments Loft Conversions (01934) 517193 Insurance Work (Fire/Flood/Damage) I 07966 452939
Enter Jas and an assault on the 800 free. A big 4.99 second PB secures a silver medal and the swim of 9.31.66 moves to within 3.66 seconds of that NQT. After a spot of lunch, it was onto the girls 50 free, with Evan K recording a new long course PB of 28.29 seconds to claim a super bronze, with the top 3 swimmers separated by just 0.13 seconds. Quite a break then until the girls 400 free. First in, Hannah A, taking off a very tidy 6.89 seconds off her PB in the 13s. To the 12s, Immy home in a super first place in 4.49.03, a 2.17 second PB, but just outside the NQT of 4.48.81. Writing this 2 months later, I just have that feeling that this near miss may not prove catastrophic in the bigger picture. Quick Immy, get in the shower (and don’t stay in there for the customary 15 minutes) – we need you at Horfield for SJL. To the 14s and a 3, 4, 5 finish for Evan (0.79 PB), Jas and Millie (delighted to beat nationals swimmer Emily Yap by 0.13). As the afternoon drifted on, times weren’t being bettered until Hannah popped up in the last event of the day to shave another 0.29 off her PB in the 50 fly and then made it through the changing rooms in time for us to get to Horfield to support the team – the advantage of arriving at the last minute was that we weren’t in the car park long enough to get a ticket Mr. S!
Day 2 – the morning after the glorious SJL night before. How would our swimmers respond? It all started very well with Rachel (gold) and Immy (silver) in the 200 Im. Hannah then popped up with a 3.24 second PB in the same event. To the 200 free and another gold for Rachel in a 3.04 second PB. Just behind seed times were Ruby, Megan and Holly, though all performing well. Moving up the age groups and landing silver in the 14s, a super swim from Evan in 2.11.41, agonizingly just 0.19 outside the NQT. Jas in fourth in 2.17.37 and two places back but with a 1.13 second PB, well done Millie. Enter Oscar and within 3 minutes, exit the pool Oscar after completing a very respectable swim of 2.51.37 in the 200 back. Back to the girls and the 100 fly, with all four of our swimmers (Rachel, Ollie, Millie and Jas) just outside PBs, with a silver for Rachel. Time for some lunch – dining once more at the official’s table, but with apologies to my avid readers who are intrigued by the ratings, I have to confess I haven’t got a clue what we ate that day (clearly not reaching the dizzy heights of Hereford cheesecakes) so it has to be a fairly average 7/10 for the food and a D- must do better on the memory front for yours truly.
Enough piffle and back into the pool. First event and James is our sole representative and clocks 32.43 in the 50 free. Staying with the sprints, the girls are in next for their backstroke 50. Freya – a super 4th in a 0.59 second PB in 42.01; and Ruby, home in 6th in the 11s in 42.38. Great racing girls. Two gold medals for Rachel and Immy in the 400 IM, both achieving PBs of 5.72 and 3.30 respectively, with Immy’s time of 5.30.60 bringing her another super national qualifying time. Well done Immy. Crikey – how do we follow that? A couple of medals and PBs sounds pretty good. Well done to Freya on winning a first medal at a Level 1 meet – bronze in a massive 5.61 PB in the 100 freestyle. Inspired by that PB, Rachel then clocked 1.08.05 – a 2.52 second PB and warranting another gold medal. No more PBs but lots of gutsy swims as tiredness started to creep in. Tiredness not a factor for James as he demolished his previous 100 back PB by almost 2 seconds to touch in 1.20.54. Well done James. Equally well done to Millie, landing a super bronze in the 200m fly in 2.42.92 and Ollie, fourth, in the same event. Just time for Freya and Rachel to round things off with a late afternoon 50 breaststroke and it’s time to head home, not before Rachel collected her award for being the best overall girl at the meet. Well done Rach.
Gloucester City Level 2 April Meet
27th/28th April & GL1
GL1 hosts Gloucester City SC’s range of meets and a comfortable experience awaits all – parents, swimmers and officials. The official’s food reached new levels here. On offer after session 1 the largest, industrial-sized strawberry pavlovas ever seen – complete with your 5-a-day ration (well it did have 5 strawberries on the top – that counts doesn’t it??). The Hereford cheesecakes led to a 9/10, and served with chicken strips, spicy chips, salad, etc, well done to Gloucester City in equaling the Hereford mark. I very much look forward to the next sortie to GL1. With Gloucester City’s new (improved??) website not actually showing the results of this meet, all I can do is say well done Evan B, 2 x Moroney’s and 2 x Anderson’s for your performances at the meet, with an array of PBs, regional times and medals.
Level 3 Open Meet – 27th/28th April
Life does throw up some challenges does it not? For those who attended this open meet as against the level 2 one at Gloucester, little did they know if they had SJL swimmers that they’d be back to the Link Centre twice more within 8 weeks. Character building is perhaps the best way to summarise the experience. For those ‘not in the know’, with apologies, the Link Centre (Swindon), home of the Tigersharks, on approach has been described as resembling a modern football stadium. Once inside, taking care not to trip over buckets catching water through the leaky roof, it offers the sports enthusiast everything from ice skating (how many seats did you say were in the rink Jim?) and squash, to badminton and snooker, with a nice café thrown in. Oh, and right in the back corner of the centre they squeezed in a six-lane swimming pool with great spectator area – well great if only 50 people intend watching the gala.
To the action in the pool, which is what matters most in pretty much everything we do as a club. Whilst some of the banding together mitigated against masses of medals, we nevertheless witnessed some super performances. Medallists are shown in the table below, with apologies that time has precluded a full analysis of every single swim:
GOLD SILVER BRONZE Caitlyn Wallis 200IM Caitlyn Wallis 100 free Madeleine Soper 50 breast Caitlyn Wallis 50 breast James King 200 back Elliott Dew 100 free Elliott Dew 50 breast Caitlyn Wallis 100 IM Elliott Dew 100 IM James King 50 fly Elliott Dew 100 fly James King 50 back Caitlin Ashurst 50 free James King 100 back Madeleine Soper 200 fly Madeleine Soper 200 back Sarah Carr 200 breast Sarah Carr 50 fly 9th Annual Spring Open Meet - 4th/5th May
The very impressive Newport International Sports Village provided the setting for this Level 2 and Level 4 combined meet. Just 40 minutes over the bridge (30 for Giles slip streaming a Lamborghini), Newport is a great venue and we should all keep an eye on their website for forthcoming meets, albeit that from an official’s perspective, it is all very regimented.
One of the great things about this meet is that it features finals, so it’s as good as Tesco with a BOGOF approach to getting times - do a decent job in the heats and you get another go against the clock in finals. A great relief for Ollie that she was able to swim as a girl following a classic bit of Mr Elliott form filling that entered her in all the boys events – keep taking the pills Dave.
100 free - Evan 6th fastest qualifier and 6th in final 100 back - Rachel fastest qualifier and gold medal in final 50 back - Bethan A finished 29th in 9-11s (5th fastest 9 year old) 200 free - Rachel gold medal, Hannah 4th 100 breast - Evan 4th fastest qualifier and 4th in final 100 breast - Rachel fastest qualifier and gold medal in final 400 free - Evan 6th place 50 breast - Bethan A 52nd in 9-11s (11th of 9 year olds) 200 breast - Rachel A gold, Hannah 4th 100 free - Hannah 4th fastest qualifier and 4th in final 200 back - Evan 11th 200IM - Rachel gold, Hannah 8th 100IM - Bethan A 38th in 9-11s (7th fastest 9 year old) 100 back - Evan 7th fastest qualifier and 7th in final 100 free - Rachel fastest qualifier and gold medal in final 50 free - Bethan A 27th in 9-11s (2nd fastest 9 year old) 200 fly - Ollie 3rd, Rachel 4th, Hannah 7th (open event) 100 breast - Rachel 1st in heats; Bethan R 6th. Rachel 1st in final, Bethan 7th 400 free - Rachel 5th, Hannah 6th (open event) 50 fly - Bethan A 31st of 9-11ys 200 breast - Evan 13th 100 fly - Hannah second fastest qualifier and silver in the final 100 fly - Ollie fastest in 14 years heats and gold in the final 200 back - Jas silver, Rachel bronze, Hannah 5th (open event) 200IM - Evan 15th Exeter City SC Level 2/3 Combined Meet Cardiff International Pool - 11th/12th May
Whilst others within the club were competing at the Millfield last chance meet, Hollie Wilcox was flying the flag for the club over the bridge in Wales at the Exeter City SC level 2/3 combined meet at the Cardiff International Pool. Hollie managed to place WSMSC 17th of the 27 competing clubs whilst gaining 6 PB’s (all four 50s, 100 free and 100 fly). She gained 4 silver medals and one bronze in the level 3 meet (in 50 and 100 breast and 50,100 and 200 free) and a bronze in the level 2 meet in 200 back, along with good 7th and 8th places in the other two back events. Hollie also finished 14th overall in the top girl category, amassing an impressive 141 points. Hollie is shown below clutching her medals and proudly showing her Weston colours!
Indian Takeaway
193C Milton Road, Weston-Super-Mare. BS22 8EF
01934 613773: 01934 612923 www.pappadoms.co.uk
Some things just seem like a good idea at the time. Give it 15 years or so and Mason and Evan may see a somewhat larger version of this photo appearing as part of an amazing best man’s speech.
North Somerset Massage Therapy
Whether you need relaxation, revitalising or rejuvenating, using appropriate therapies I have what you need at prices you can afford. For you to benefit and recover from stress, injuries, pain or stiffness. I specialise in blending therapeutic massage with Cranial Sacral Techniques, Deep Tissue and Bowen to your specific issue or problem.
For more information about NSMT, call or text 07912 786219 email [email protected]
www.nsmt.org.uk
Chatterley Plumbing & Heating Tel: 01934 644539 Mob: 07887768877
J KING GLASS & GLAZING LTD
Registered Company
Unit 9 Warne Park, Warne Road, Weston-Super-Mare, North Somerset. BS23 3TP. Telephone 01934 644055 Fax 01934 319299 Email [email protected]
Millfield Last Chance Meet 11th/12th May
A somewhat ominous title for this event, offering (Ronseal fashion) as it states on the tin, the last chance to obtain a regional time (and maybe a penultimate chance to get a national time, given the dearth of level 1 meets after regionals before the cut-off to obtain NQTs) - so no pressure at all on the swimmers then! Another meet clashing with Southern Junior League, so for some, another event where all events could not be swum. For whatever reason, this meet was fairly undersubscribed such that lanes 1 and 8 remained empty all weekend, so no complaints of a rubbish lane draw (unless 2 and 7 then adopted that title).
GOLD SILVER BRONZE Rachel A – 400IM Evan K – 200 free Immy M – 100 free Rachel A – 100 free Hannah A – 50 fly Jas M – 400 free Rachel A – 200 fly Millie D – 100 fly Immy M – 200 back Millie D – 200 fly Rachel A – 200 breast Jas M – 100 fly Rachel A – 50 back Ruby S – 50 free Marcus G – 200 breast James K – 50 fly Immy M – 200 free Evan K – 50 fly Rachel A – 400 free Great swims from Lucy & Evan in the Skins event – hope you have declared the cash prizes to the taxman Immy M – 400 free (**NQT**) Rachel A – 200 IM Immy M – 200 IM Lucy D – 200 IM Top girl at the meet – Rachel A Rachel A – 200 back Rachel A – 100 back Rachel A – 100 fly Evan K – 100 fly
Well done to WSMSC girls for finishing in 3rd place in the team rankings and to the much smaller boys team who finished 13th.
------
As at 19th July the easyfundraising efforts of 25 followers of WSMSC has raised the grand total of £300.48. This money will be re-invested in swimmer development activities within the club and not used as general funds. Whilst this sum is money for old rope, it could be a lot, lot larger sum if we had more parents, masters and polo members joining the scheme and searching and shopping online using the easy way. Please visit our website and click on Newsletter 4 to see how easy it is to set up and then earn money for WSMSC.
------Southwold Swimming Club Level 3 Open Meet 25th/26th May @ Hutton Moor
With a fatality on the M5 and consequent road closure, this meet got off to a disastrous start (but all things are relative of course). Full marks to the Southwold meet organisers for making a number of very sound on-the-spot decisions to try to make up lost time for a hugely delayed start. Once the action began, WSM were in top form, with PBs and medals collected in large measure.
GOLD SILVER BRONZE George Langman 200 back Evan Brunsdon 100 breast George Langman 100 breast Evan Brunsdon 200 back Charlotte Stanbury 100 back James King 200 back Caitlin Ashurst 200IM Chloe Knight 100 back Madeleine Soper 200im George Langman 50 free Joe Reeves 50 free Freya King 200im Caitlin Ashurst 50 fly James King 50 free Hannah Anderson 200 IM George Langman 100IM Madeleine Soper 50 fly Caitlyn Wallis 50 fly Madeleine Soper 50 back Evan Brunsdon 100Im Hannah Anderson 50 fly Rachel Anderson 200 breast Caitlin Ashurst 50 back Freya King 100 free Chloe Knight 200 breast Chloe Knight 50 back Hannah Anderson 100 free Madeleine Soper 200 fly George Langman 50 breeat James King 100 fly Charlotte Stanbury 200 fly Evan Brunsdon 50 breast Charlotte Stanbury 50 back Rachel Anderson 100 breast Madeleine Soper 200 breast Harry Reynolds 50 breast Chloe Knight 100 breast Evan Brunsdon 200 free James King 50 breast Madeleine Soper 200 back Freya King 200 fly Caitlyn Wallis 200 breast Evan Brunsdon 200IM Ruby Soper 200 fly Bethan Rees 200 fly Caitlin Ashurst 100IM Sophie Langman 100 breast Evan Brunsdon 100 back Rachel Anderson 100IM Caitlin Ashurst 200 back James King 100 back Ruby Soper 100 fly Caitlyn Wallis 200 back Freya King 200 back George Langman 50 back Charlotte Stanbury 200 back Chloe Knight 200 back Evan Brunsdon 50 back George Langman 200IM Chloe Knight 50 free Rachel Anderson 50 breast Elliott Dew 200IM Chloe Knight 100IM Chloe Knight 50 breast Caitlin Ashurst 50 free Freya King 100 fly Evan Brunsdon 200 breast James King 50 fly Charlotte Stanbury 100 fly Madeleine Soper 100IM Caitlin Ashurst 50 breast George Langman 100 free James King 200 breast Speeding ticket -Rachel 200 fly James King 100 free Madeleine Soper 200 free Hannah Anderson 100 fly Freya King 200 free Madeleine Soper 50 breast Caitlyn Wallis 50 breast Bethan Rees 50 breast Sophie Langman 50 breast Hannah Anderson 200 free David Hoskin 200 fly James King 200 fly
And the best ‘visiting’ club award goes to ………. Weston-Super-Mare. Well done to all of our swimmers at the meet, whose collective efforts led to this award: Hannah Anderson, Rachel Anderson, Caitlin Ashurst, Evan Brunsdon, Sarah Carr, Chloe Dew, Elliott Dew, Harvey Dew, Rachel Eveleigh, Rhianna Gardner, David Hoskin, Holly Hudghton, Freya King, James King, Chloe Knight, Jessica Knight, Alison Reep, Bethan Rees, Joe Reeves, Harry Reynolds, Madeleine Soper, Ruby Soper, Charlotte Stanbury, Caitlyn Wallis and Hollie Wilcox.
I.H.B.C, City & Guilds, BABTAC, Julia Wallis
Holistic & Beauty Therapies
All therapies are tailored to suit your individual needs:-
• Electrolysis permanent hair • Eyebrow shape removal Lash & Brow tint
Skin Tags, Milia, Warts, Thread ‘Jessica’ manicure/ pedicures • • Veins, Spider Naevus, age, blood with option of polish of Gel & sun spots
• ‘Spiezia’ Facials • Minx, Swarovski crystal toes QR code link to my
Massage, Hot Stone’s, Reiki Waxing (hot & strip method) • • website:
W-S-M - 01934 627733
CONGRESBURY - 01934 835858
07810 187589 / [email protected]
www.julia-holistic-beauty.co.uk For appointments, enquiries, gift vouchers and to order products please contact either clinic or Julia directly.
WSM Polo Players Help Raise Over £18,000 For Charity
Swimmers raised £18,446 for The Raj K Soni Legacy Fund - set up to raise money in the name of a talented teenager who died after coming off his racing bike last summer. The charity was set up to support young people to participate in music and sport – two of Raj’s greatest passions. A total of 374 swimmers completed 6,671 lengths during a day of swimming at Portishead Open Air Pool on Friday. They swam 139 miles – more than six and half crossings of the English Channel. Swimmers started from schools, teams and groups joined in the fundraising swim from 7am to 8pm on the longest day. Some just swam as many lengths as they could in a limited time, others took part in relays while three teams took part in a race. The Bristol Central Water Polo team, which included former Olympians, competed against Weston Water Polo Club and Portishead Triathlon Club as part of the fundraising initiative. The day was rounded off with a barbecue where a jazz band made up of students from Gordano School played.
Tom Williams, a friend of the Bower Ashton family was involved in organising the fundraising swim. "The support on Friday was unbelievable and everyone was talking about it afterwards," he said. "Everyone got a complete buzz from the day. The Portishead Open Air Pool trustees couldn't do enough to help us. Everyone pulled together and it was a great community occasion and I came away feeling very uplifted about the whole thing."
Well done to all WSM polo players for this magnificent effort. WESTON-SUPER-MARE SWIMMING CLUB LEARN TO SWIM UPDATE
The dates for the next term of Learn To Swim are shown in the grid below.
WEEK TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SUNDAY 1 03-Sep 04-Sep 05-Sep 06-Sep 08-Sep 2 10-Sep 11-Sep 12-Sep 13-Sep 15-Sep 3 17-Sep 18-Sep 19-Sep 20-Sep 22-Sep 4 24-Sep 25-Sep 26-Sep 27-Sep 29-Sep 5 01-Oct 02-Oct 03-Oct 04-Oct 06-Oct 6 08-Oct 09-Oct 10-Oct 11-Oct 13-Oct 7 15-Oct 16-Oct 17-Oct 18-Oct 20-Oct 8 22-Oct 23-Oct 24-Oct 25-Oct 27-Oct HALF TERM HALF TERM HALF TERM HALF TERM HALF TERM 9** 05-Nov 06-Nov 07-Nov 08-Nov 10-Nov 10 12-Nov 13-Nov 14-Nov 15-Nov 17-Nov
The end of the current term is 21.07.2013.
The 2012/13 season has been another fantastic one for Learn To Swim. Lots of swimmers have progressed to the Pre-Development training squad, with improvement shown throughout all of the levels of LTS. Another LTS teaching evening (Wednesday) has been added during the season. LTS also now has many more qualified instructors - Tom Simpson, Nick Kuht, Helen James and Chrissie Lowe. Zara has also passed her Level 1 coaching qualification and will be taking the level 2 course in August, to add to her teaching qualifications. This is all fantastic, with many more seeking further qualifications (level two) and new helpers who are keen to take level one.
Renewal week for the next block of LTS lessons is the week commencing 8th July. Please note that any place not paid for in renewal week will not be held. Zara is taking a much needed break over the summer from LTS (and will be on her coaching course from mid- to end-August) therefore will not be chasing people for payments after the last day of term (21.07.13). Please do help the club by paying on time – many thanks for your co-operation in this.
LTS hats can be purchased from the WSMSC Club Shop (open Tuesday evenings) for £5 - all children with shoulder length hair MUST wear a hat - at the very least it should be tied up.
On behalf of the Management Committee of WSM Swimming Club, a big THANK YOU to all LTS swimmers for all of your hard work and perseverance, to parents for your continued support and last but certainly by no means least, to all of our fantastic and enthusiastic teachers and to Zara for managing this section of the club.
Parents – please note that the club will have a record six swimmers (from as young as age 11) at the National Championships in Sheffield this summer. All have progressed through the swimming club from where your children are right now, so in the words of the National Lottery …. It could be you(r child next!!). So keep supporting them in their weekly lessons, have a great summer and we look forward to seeing you all back in September. Do please read the full online version of the newsletter at weston-super-mare-swimming-club.co.uk (this will appear on the website very soon). MASSIVE SUCCESS AT SW REGIONALS FOR WSM
Swimmers from Weston-Super-Mare competed once again at this year’s South West Regional Championships at Millfield School in Somerset. Held in two parts (youths and age groups – the 10s to 14s), the championships pit those making the necessary qualifying times against each other. With the south-west an incredibly strong region in swimming, bring on the best of Cornwall, Devon, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Dorset and the rest of Somerset to see what you can do against the might of the purple WSMSC army – a very strong and numerous purple army it has to be said.
Esme, Lucy and Marcus represented the club in several events over the youth’s competition weekend and earned a grand total of ten medals between them. Esme and Lucy both swam for the multi-club Taunton Deane network relay squad, vying for a place at national level competition. Despite attaining second, third and fourth places in the three relay races, the girls had to await news from similar events in other regions across the country to establish whether they would continue to the national stage. Thankfully the right results came through, so they will be adding relay events to their individual swims at this summer’s national event. Esme went on to achieve bronze and silver medals in her 200m Individual Medley and 100m Fly events and a superb gold medal in the 200 Fly. In the meantime Marcus swam in 7 events and was rewarded with 6 personal best times, 2 silver medals in the 100m and 200m Breaststroke, and a further bronze medal in the 50m Breaststroke. Marcus earned high-level qualifying times in the 100m event and will be joining the girls, who have already qualified, at the British Gas National Youth Championships in late-July.
GROVE PARK CAFÉ
Grove Park, WSM, BS23 2QJ
Opening times: 1000 - 1800 (Mar - Oct)
With much to live up to following the outstanding performances of national championships bound Esme and Marcus in the regional youth championships, Weston’s record entry of age-group regional swimmers (10 to 14 years) didn’t disappoint at their recent championships held at Millfield School. Pitting their wits against the very best talent from six counties were Chloe Knight, Evan Brunsdon, Evan King, Florence Davis, Hannah Anderson, Holly Richards, Immy Moroney, Jasmine Moroney, Jess Dadds, Lauren Hodgkin, Lucy Davies, Millie Dadds, Oscar Rogers, Rachel Anderson, Rebecca Lucas and Will Daniel. All performed superbly, achieving personal best times in almost every event – no mean feat, particularly for Hannah, Holly, Lauren, Oscar and Will who were competing at this level for the first time.
Day one. Brace yourselves – regionals is akin to the marathon. Lots of stamina needed! Early morning relay action for some of our network swimmers. The 4 x 100m freestyle event was won by Taunton Deane A with none other than ‘our’ own Evan clocking 1.00.96 on the second leg. Second leg of the B team’s quartet was Jas, helping her team home in seventh place, while third to dive in for the C team was Immy, whose team finished 14th of 22 in the event. First up in the individuals and it’s Evan (Brunsdon variety) in the boys 100 back. In lane 7, renamed the sunshine lane as the early morning sun poured through the Millfield ceiling, Evan was duly home in 1.24.49 – difficult to record PBs here as the whole programme showed short-course times. Overall 11 year old heat winner was the hugely impressive Mason Angove. Next up, Oscar. Just over 80 seconds later and the boys had completed their first day’s work at the championships. To the girls and the heats of the 100 breaststroke. In heat three, a first-time regionals outing for Rachel who duly qualified for the final in a time of 1.29.01 a second and a half off the breaststroke specialists, Veakins and Maestri. Into the 12s and Jess scored 349 FINA points for her 1.31.49. Into the 13s and Chloe. A swim of 1.23.42 and 12th place – just missing out on a final by 1 second. To the 14s and a 1.17.35 secured a final spot in a central lane for Lucy, with three swimmers all sub-1.18. On to the first set of finals of the day – Rachel and Lucy. In the 11s, despite going almost one second faster than in the heats, and its a fifth place for Rachel in 1.28.22, 0.36 off bronze spot, with Ruby Forbes (Gloucester) topping the podium. Speaking of topping the podium – enter Lucy. Going one second faster than heats, Poole’s Kemp and Stocker from Plymouth were left chasing Lucy’s purple hat as she claimed the championship title in a time of 1.16.40. A great start for the team – well done Lucy (in action, below).
Time for a spot of lunch (regionals it may be, but a plain cheese sandwich, banana and a few other bits, so memorable as to be forgotten 2 weeks on writing this, so a very disappointing five out of ten on the Michelin/Anderson/Egon Ronay spectrum).
On the subject of officiating, it has to be said that certain WSMSC parents are currently awaiting legal proceedings on taking the preverbial out of the rather fetching blue(ish) British Gas lycra-esque shirts we were issued with, with the compounding factor being the walkie-talkie and earpiece. Not a hugely winning look it has to be said – and 9 hours later, not terribly kind on the lugholes either.
Afternoon action and first WSM action in the sunny pond – the girls in the 200 IM. Enter Rachel in the heats and a great heat time of 2.38.90 pushed McNab all the way and collected 500 FINA points – with more to come in the final. Into the 12s and a time 0.01 faster than Rachel’s secured a 4th qualifying place for Immy in the final, with Drew and Caddy the swimmers to beat. Into the 13s and a first-ever regionals outing for Hannah who recorded a long-course PB. Up an age group and Lucy stormed the heats, securing a NQT in a super time of 2.26.02 – 2 seconds ahead of her nearest rival. Super stuff Lucy. Evan, home in 2.32.22 qualified nicely for the final in seventh spot. Coming home in 2.39.51 was Mille, gaining 494 points for her late-afternoon efforts.
The 800m – a great event not to be a timekeeper with all the hassle of lapcards (will I get the numbers right? Will they drop in the water? Will I get the splits or stop the watch altogether? – the stresses of officialdom cannot be underestimated!) – but to be a stroke judge on 800s in a long- course pool when the only possible cause of a DQ would be assaulting the swimmer in the next lane, treating the lane rope as something of a tug of war event, or missing the wall and not sculling back to touch (which is allowed, believe it or not) was hardly a jolly – and indeed led to the first officiating injury – a huge blister as the Sports Direct flip flops failed to cope with the 3 miles of walking at speed up and down in the afternoon sunshine. Anyway, enough of my woes and on to Team Moroney. First in the pond, Immy. With her NQT secured back in November at Stockport (tell me again about what Santos is up to Giles!), it was all about kicking on a bit more to get a better draw at nationals. This was duly achieved as Immy touched the final wall in 9.48.68, collecting a whopping 591 points in the process, cranking up the effort in the last lengths to get faster and faster (37.27, 37.03, 36.96, 36.71 and finishing in 35.02) to be rewarded with a super silver medal. Step up Jas. With all eyes on the NQT of 9.28.00, it was all about consistency, stroke and the final push. Two hundred metres through in 2.16.57, the half-way point at 4.40.43, was it enough? At 600m, a third 200 split of 2.25.06 left 2.24.81 to get there. After 16 lengths, looking at the board to see the clock had gone on an agonising 0.58 beyond the NQT was an absolute gutter after such a great effort and finishing with 50 splits of 36.27, 36.43, 35.56 and 35.13. Next year Jas – a magnificent effort, but the PB and fourth place scant consolation.
With little respite it was on to the 200 IM finals – Rachel, Immy, Lucy and Evan all in action. In the 11s and one of the races of the championship as Rachel slugged it out with Laura McNab. First 50 (fly) and Laura touches at 32.83, just 0.28 ahead. On to the backstroke and Rachel’s split of 39.44 pulls her into a lead of 0.68. To the breaststroke and it’s neck and neck, with Laura touching for the final turn just 7/100 ahead. As the scoreboard lit up with Laura 2.35.58 and Rachel 0.41 seconds later, what was clear was that both had achieved NQTs – Rachel’s first. A fantastic swim and one with rather significant consequences for a certain Miss Aldington (see later). Next up, Immy – not long after completing that 800m swim. In the circumstances, coming home in 5th in 2.40.43 was some achievement, with Renae Caddy also paying a price for the earlier 800, coming home in 3rd, almost 4.5 seconds behind the gold-winning swim of Tegan Drew (Plymouth) who completed the event is less time than it takes to clean one wheel of the car on a Sunday afternoon – 2.31.65.
Rachel in fly action on her way to a first NQT in the 200 IM final.
The final action of day 1 – the 14 year old girls 200 IM final. If Kemp and Cutler thought they had a chance qualifying fastest and therefore grabbing lanes 4 and 5, they had another thing coming – called Lucy. No splits available, but while Barrow (Kelly College) took an early lead with a fly split of 29.98 – a second or more ahead of the field, into the backstroke and then with the breaststroke, Lucy powered ahead. Barrow was beaten, and well beaten. Kemp was over 2.2 seconds behind Lucy, with Cutler’s touch at 2.28.66, some 1.76 seconds behind Lucy. Top of the podium for the second time in the day and a NQT earlier in the day in this event – a great day’s work Lucy. At the end of a long day that had started with network relays and a gold medal, Evan came home in 6th place in a time of 2.32.49. A bit of food, rest, sleep, breakfast, pack the bag and back for more tomorrow!
Day 2 and what better way to start than some more relays – this time the girls 4 x 100m medley. With three teams in the event, the Taunton network teams filled two of the podium spots, with Evan’s 100 fly leg of 1.07.60 inspiring the B team to a bronze medal. Jas brought the C team home in a 100 free leg of 1.03.81 for an eleventh place finish. To the first individual event – the 100m backstroke. In the 10/11 age group, what a start! Having been 0.34 outside the national time in her last swim in the Millfield pond in this event, Rachel destroyed the NQT of 1.12.80, winning the heats by almost 4.5 seconds in a blistering 1.10.97. In the 12s, Immy’s 1.13.94 landed her a final spot in 6th position. In the 13s, Chloe (1.16.24) and Hannah (1.17.68) both raced hard, finishing 31st and 41st respectively, of 57 competitors. In the 14s, Lucy’s 1.10.54 was a fingernail away from a place in the final. Becca’s first swim in this year’s event led to a touch in 1.14.74.
Onto the boys, well boy singular to be precise – Evan in the 100m breaststroke. Over in lane 6, near his sunshine lane of the day before, and there and back in a super 1.37.29 – well ahead of the seed time of 1.40.28, to finish in 14th place. Finals time and the 100m backstroke. Running true to form from the heats, Rachel destroyed the field touching in 1.11.53 some 4.32 seconds clear of Olivia Flack back in second. In the 12s, a blazing 1.07.68 from Plymouth’s Tegan Drew secured gold ahead of Renae Caddy and Georgia Keen, with Immy finishing in eighth in 1.14.64.
Time for some lunch out in the sunshine and some fresh air. First in the pool after lunch – bring on the girls and the 200 freestyle heats with hopes high of more national qualifying times. First in, Rachel. A swim of 2.20.01 leads to a finals spot in a prime central lane. In the 12s, a swim of 2.19.49 and Immy is safely into the final, with just over a second and a half to shave off to add to her NQTs. To the 14s – Evan and Jas. Jas home in 2.14.64 for a second reserve place in the final. Evan safely home in third place to qualify for the final in a time just 0.4 seconds outside the national time of 2.11.22.
Over to Evan and the 200m IM. Three minutes and six seconds later, Evan has successfully completed the event, perhaps wishing that his new industrial-size fins were transparent and could be worn for the fly leg. Next up, the brutal 400m IM for the girls, with an impressive seven entrants. With heat declared winners (mercifully!), the event was kept down to just an hour and a quarter. In the 10s, another gold for Rachel, home in a PB time of 5.36.31 and over seven seconds ahead of Exeter’s Emily Eveling in second. A withdrawal from Immy in the 12s, having already got the NQT and ready to focus on the 200 free final. Into the 13s and a PB Swim from Hannah, finishing 24th. Up an age group and enter the cavalry – Lucy, Evan, Jas and Millie. Though with Evan withdrawing to concentrate on the imminent 200 final, it was down to the three musketeers. What a weekend it was proving to be for Lucy. Home in first place, looking incredibly strong and assured and another national time! This time, destroying the national standard of 5.11.52 by three and a half seconds. Well done Lucy – fantastic stuff. In a field of 26, well done to Jas (10th, 5.26.63) and Millie (15th, 5.30.06) for competing strongly in this gruelling event, both recording long course PBs.
After being presented with the 400 IM medals, it was straight on to finals – bring on the girls for the 200 free. First in, Rachel. Targetting the NQT of 2.17.96 was always going to be too much to ask on the back of having just completed the 400 IM and the silver swim in 2.21.12 was a great end to a day – a gold, a silver and a national time. Enter Immy in the 12s. No medal here (indeed only a bronze here for the mighty Tegan Drew), BUT and it is a good but, a fifth national qualifying time, with Immy stopping the timing system at 2.17.78, 18/100 inside the qualifying standard. Well done Immy – super stuff. Into the 14s. No withdrawals, so no Jas in the final, but Evan was there, hopeful of touching just a wee bit faster than in the heats to get inside that NQT of 2.11.22. Turning at the half-way mark in 1.03.56, it seemed on. Coming up the final 50 seemed endless. Eyes on Evan, the clock, back to Evan, clock again, under the flags, the clock, Evan, touch, wait ...... 2.11.35 – 13/100 outside. Unbelievable. A super swim and to be denied a nationals start for 13 measly hundredths – absolutely gutting. A fifth placed finish, with Sophie Hall (Gloucester) winning in 2.06.86. After that emotional rollercoaster, it was time to head to Wetherspoons then home.
Another weekend - day three (crikey are we only half-way there???) and we kick off with the girls 100 fly heats. Early Saturday morning dippers in the pond were Rachel, Lauren, Flo and Evan. In the 10/11s, Rachel qualified second for the final in 1.11.94 – just 12/100 outside the national qualifying time. Up to the 13s and Flo (great to see you back in top competitive action Flo) and Lauren (first regionals) touch in 1.16.57 and 1.17.48 respectively. To Evan in the 14s and a 1.07.29 leads to a fifth place seeding for finals, with the time inside the NQT, although already banked from a swim earlier in the season.
From one Evan to another. Mr Brunsdon in the 200 breaststroke (an event I once recall Mr Brunsdon of the Dave variety once claiming he could swim himself inside 4 minutes – tickets for this showpiece will be available soon). With 22 competitors on the day, Ev secured a great 15th place finish in 3.26.88 – ready now to head off to Cribbs for an industrial-sized buffet lunch (and how much ice cream did Louis manage to eat – was there any left?). Finals time – 100 fly, Rachel and Evan. Chasing 1.11.82, Rachel touched in an agonising 1.11.86, 4/100 the wrong side! A silver medal. Next, Evan, home in 5th in 1.08.19, in a final won in a ridiculously fast time of 1.03.66 by Kelly College’s Chloe Barrow (do they actually do any proper lessons at that place or just swim all the time??? OFSTED inquiry needed methinks).
Time for some lunch and a chat about PBs out in the sunshine, with vegetable spring rolls and sweet chilli dip a pleasing addition to the plain cheese sandwiches for the officials’ lunches (they may even have been the very same cheese sandwiches as the previous week). The boys 100 free and enter Will for his first taste of regional action, having qualified in a smokin’ hot swim at the Link Centre at the Tigersharks meet (see everyone doesn’t hate that place!).
To Will and the 100 freestyle seeking to rekindle that fantastic swim at Swindon which brought the coveted qualifying time. Out in 31.06, Will turns and 34.1 seconds later has stopped the electronic timing at 1.05.16 for a first regional outing. Well done Will. Time for some backstroke action for the girls – 200m of it to be precise. Just Rachel and Immy, with Jas and Becca showing as a DNC. Having achieved the 100 NQT in this stroke the previous weekend, but having been 4 seconds off the 200 time as recently as the Millfield Last Chance Meet, Rachel was gunning for the 2.35.36 NQT. Into the heats and in lane 1, the 50 splits were looking good: 35.75, 38.49, then 38.80 for a 1.53.04 at the 150m mark. Surely the national time was on, wasn’t it? You bet it was, as the AOE timing stopped at 2.31.96 – a third NQT and almost 3.5 seconds inside – and 544 FINA points. Result! In the 12s, with Immy already having the NQT, a comfortable swim of 2.34.98 (inside the NQT again) claimed a finals place in a prime lane, tucked in behind the Dynamic Duo from Devon and Cornwall – a.k.a. Tegan Drew and Renae Caddy.
With just the eight heats of the boys 200 fly in between, it was time for our 400 freestyle swimmers to jump back in – this event decided on a heat declared winners basis (this is posh, technical speak, for the medals and places being decided by the fastest times in the event, and not using heats as qualifiers to make the finals, where the fastest three then get medals). Rachel home in a PB time 5.01.79, well clear of Lauren Hession in bronze, with the rest for Laura McNab still not getting her inside the NQT of 4.48.91. Already inside that time – Immy. In her heat, a time of 4.46.69 secured bronze – which would have been silver but for the very annoying (in the nicest sense you understand) Zoe Gananway (Seagulls) clocking a time 0.01 faster. They say swimming is all about the finest margins, as we have already revealed with how close Ev, Jas and Rachel were to certain NQTs, but 1/100 of a second – that’s just ridiculous isn’t it????????? To the 14s – an event that Sophie Hall looked to have wrapped up even before diving in – and so it proved. The Gloucester swimmer taking gold in 4.26.80 – almost 4.5 seconds clear of the field. That field for us meant Evan and Jas, with Jas home in 7th in 4.39.34 with Evan (photographed below) two places and four seconds behind.
Are we ready to go home yet? Well yes, but just one more event – the 200 back final. Having achieved the NQT and just swum the 400 free, it was never going to be a PB, but Rachel’s 2.35.16 (a time she would have settled for as a NQT at the beginning of the day) was far too hot for the rest of the field to handle – winning gold by six seconds from Exeter City’s Emily Eveling.
Are you still with me? Just one more day to go, then you can go and have a lie down.
Here we go and we’re off straight away with the 4 x 200m freestyle relay. A medal of the bronze variety for Jas, bringing home the network A team home in 9.00.46, with a split of 2.17.02. Evan took the B team’s first leg, completing her 200 in 2.12.35, with Immy jumping in next (home in 2.18.95). First individual event of the day – the girls 200 breaststroke. In the 12s, another outing for Immy (photographed below) produced a time of 3.10.97, qualifying in seventh place for the final.
Into the 13s – enter Chloe. One hundred and eighty-one seconds later, it’s exit Chloe as the distance is completed to record a super 11th place finish. Up an age group and it’s all about second place as Lucy romps home to a comfortable heat victory in 2.44.53, some 1.7 seconds ahead of TD’s Lydia Lavallin.
Finals time. Immy lands a fantastic fourth place in 3.06.39, finding almost an extra 4 seconds compared to the heat swim. Watching from the marshalling area was Lucy. Inspired by Immy’s swim, Lucy’s 2.46.26 beat Lavallin and Seaward to secure her fourth championship gold. A superb achievement. Well done Lucy.
To the boys – Evan and Oscar – in the 200 back. First in, Evan. Very consistent swimming, with middle 100 splits of 45.15 and 45.11, then a dash for the finish and a great time of 2.55.77. Oscar’s first 50 was a super speedy 38.97, then finished with a last 50 a second faster than the previous 50. Super stuff. Well done both of you. Back to the girls and the 100 free. In the 10/11s, Rachel’s 1.04.67 is the fastest qualifying time for the final by a second over Hession and McNab. Immy’s 1.06.51 is a second off a place in the finals, while a super swim from Holly at her first regionals (1.07.06) secures 19th place, of 32 competitors. Evan’s 1.01.60 lands a place in the final as seventh fastest qualifier, with Lucy clocking 1.02.93.
The final event, before finals – girls 200 fly. Rachel qualified safely as second fastest qualifier in 2.49.96. Sister Hannah finished in an impressive 12th place with Lauren two places further back – great first regionals you two. Well done. Into the 14s: Evan, Millie and Jas. Evan qualified easily for the final, coming in third in a time below the national qualifying standard (already achieved). In seventh spot and a super swim from Millie, following a traumatic week with a shoulder injury. What a time to pull out an amazing long course PB (2.39.30) – and give the shoulder another punishment – with another 200 to come in the final. Fantastic stuff. Jas home in tenth at the end of a long day that began early with that relay medal. Well done.
Finals. First in, Rachel and Evan in the 100 freestyle. The fastest qualifier, Rachel had to settle for silver in a time fractionally slower than heats (1.04.86) as Laura McNab swam a super NQT 1.03.28 to take gold. In the 14s, what an unbelievable standard, with the two Sophie’s (Hall and Tebbs) and Beth Newton all going sub-60. Our Evan touched in seventh in 1.03.12. One boys event, then Rachel and Evan are back for more, alongside Millie, in the 200 fly. Rachel landed another silver in 2.49.84 – the end of a superb championships that spawned three golds, six silvers and three national qualifying times. To the 14s and now I am convinced that they don’t do any proper lessons at Kelly College as Chloe Barrow touches in 2.22.45, almost 5 seconds ahead of the second swimmer. Evan’s championships end in a swim of 2.32.00 (this almost looks like a Dadds type entry time – ending with the suspicious 00!!), while Millie performs to her seeding to land a super seventh in 2.39.64. Well done girls.
Finally, spare a thought for Ollie. Having qualified for her first regionals in the 200 fly, the late change to the programme meant that Dave’s landspeed record from Millfield to Paignton for a dance comp couldn’t even be attempted, with Ollie missing out on the swimming. Still, swimming’s loss was dancing’s gain, as Ollie and her team performed superbly to qualify for nationals. Also, a big well done to Megan, whose dance earned a superb second place. With no relations in the Paignton area, Ollie and Megan were spared one of Dave’s now infamous Elliott genealogical trails (a la Plymouth, Cardiff, and goodness knows where next .....).
In the overall BAGCAT championship (decided by the best performers over a range of strokes and distances), Rachel finished first for the second year in a row; Immy and Evan both took 4th in the 12s and 14s respectively. Lucy wasn’t in the top 8 on account of not entering a freestyle event, but took an amazing 4 championship gold medals. Lucy also had the honour of appearing twice in the final BAGAT tables which always leaves a doubt in one’s mind as to whether the organiser’s need to purchase a new abacus when compiling the results. A huge well done to all of our regional qualifiers – it was fantastic to see so many of our swimmers competing at Millfield. With Lucy, Evan, Millie, Jas, Ollie and Becca graduating to youths next year, the challenge is on for our remaining 10-14 year olds to see if they can make it to join this year’s qualifiers. For this year’s regional swimmers, the challenge is to qualify again next year – and in more events (I don’t ask much - oh, and for the organisers to provide something more exciting than a plain cheese sandwich!).
Freya and Caitlyn offer coach Rachel options to fulfil her promise that if six WSMSC swimmers made it to Nationals this year that she would dye her hair purple. Well done to Rachel A – national swimmer number six!! Bring it on Rachel – Di Titchin, your hairdresser, is ready and waiting!!!!
Rachel Anderson
Lucy Davies
Immy Moroney Evan King
Did you also say Rachel that you’d keep it purple until next year’s nationals or for 2 years if any one of our magnificent 6 makes it to the top 20 at nationals this year? Just curious.
Five members of WSMSC have been competing in the Triathlon England South West Series. Rebecca Mercer, who competes in the Tri star 3 age category, and younger brother Owen, who competes in the Tri Star 1 age category, both put in strong performances at the Exeter Aquathlon (swim & run) and the Burnham on Sea junior triathlon. Rebecca and James King raced against each other in the same lane at the Exeter Aquathlon and put on a fine display in the pool with matching strokes and turns – James just pipped Rebecca to the final touch.
Freya King and Amy Lance (who both race in the same TS2 age category) and James have all raced at Exeter, Burnham and the open water triathlon held in the stunning grounds of Bowood House. This last race was the Inter Regional qualifier with the top three boys and girls from TS2 & TS3 being picked to represent the region in the Inter Regional Championships to be held in August.
Special mention must go to Amy who finished third at Bowood and will now represent the southwest in her custom made tri-suit with “Lance” emblazoned across her derriere. Freya, playing the part of Lucy Hall’s “domestique”, led Amy out of the lake at Bowood only to release her Cavendish-like onto James in T1 at the undulating bike course in the grounds of the Bowood stately home. After a very strong ride Amy finished the event with a stunning run resulting in a podium finish.
Amy Freya the "domestique" in T1 with Amy just and behind at Bowood Freya T1 at James, who races in the TS3 age group (age Bowood up to 14) put in a fine swim in Bowood lake but could then only watch the stronger boys on their Cervelo p5’s, Ribbles and QuintanaRoos disappear off into the distance.
Amy's prize presentation at Bowood. Amy has finished third twice this season. A WSM triathlon is being organised soon. Speak to Lisa Dadds/Dave Elliott to find out more information (date, location, entry details, etc)
Our Offer: Atmos is a specialist recruitment business established in 2008, dedicated to providing exceptional service to clients, candidates and suppliers.
Our Sectors: . Consulting Engineers . Construction . Rail . Residential Development . Trades and Labour
Our Services: . Permanent Staff Search . Temporary and Fixed Term Contract Staff . Bespoke Projects
Our Opportunities: . We are currently resourcing temporary, interim and permanent vacancies in the UK, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific www.atmosrecruitment.com Telephone: 01934 835779 e-mail: [email protected]
Volkan Photography www.volkan.co.uk
01934 527249 - 0796 2233288
Expertly capturing all the action
WSMSC CLUB CHAMPS 2013
There will be a change to how club championships are organized in winter 2013. Instead of the usual marathon over 8 nights, the championships will take place at Hutton Moor on Saturday 16th November (morning into early afternoon) and Sunday 17th November (afternoon into late evening), thereby minimizing disruption to training. More details will follow.
Residential Sales Residential Lettings Management Auctions
30 Waterloo Street
Weston-Super-Mare Be sure to read all about W-S-M Swimming Club North Somerset on the web pages of the BS23 1LN
01934 644664 Fax 01934 425049
www.thewestonmercury.co.uk
32 Waterloo Street, Weston-S-Mare. BS23 1LW [email protected] Telephone: (01934) 414010 www.hobbsandwebb.co.uk
SOUTHERN JUNIOR LEAGUE – THE CLASS OF 2013
Success was very much the buzz word at Horfield as Weston’s junior squad traveled to start their 2013 Southern Junior League campaign – a thrilling, action-packed 90+ minutes of 49 quick-fire events (a mix of individual and relay races). Pitched against tough opposition, WSM destroyed the field achieving 279 points, winning the round by 46 points from Bristol Penguins (233), Swindon SX3 (219), Severnside Tritons (194), and Keynsham (191), with Southwold (147) and Bristol North (91) lagging well behind. An absolutely awesome display from our swimmers. Bring on Round 2!
Saturday 11th May, also known as FA Cup final day – but not if you were heading off on the Bakers Dolphin double-decker to the Link Centre (immediately above, left and right), Swindon ready to see top seeds WSM take on Bath Dolphins, Poole, Chard, Southwold and the locals, SX3.
The locals perhaps weren’t expecting it, but what another fantastic display from our stars in the purple hats, winning again with clear blue water between ourselves (258 points) and SX3A (247). Poole (184), Southwold (176), Bath (167) and Chard (136) occupied the minor places. Super swims all round, mainly in the top 3 and with lots of wins. Very well done to all swimmers. Super Display from Weston Swimmers in Southern Junior League Final The Southern Junior League - 26 mixed-teams of 9/10/11/12 year olds, 3 rounds of 49 events – a mix of individual and sprint relays; and the ultimate prize – the opportunity to represent the south at the national junior league semi-final. The 26, from as far north as Severnside Tritons (Stroud), out to SX3 (Swindon) in the east, with Bournemouth, Weymouth and Chard to the south, had been whittled down to the top 6 to slug it out in the third round’s ‘A’ Final to grab that chance for national glory. The teams: Swim Bournemouth A (winners in 2012), Weston-Super-Mare (winners in 2011), SX3A, Seagulls, Bristol Penguins and Trowbridge. The form guide – Swim Bournemouth and WSM were the only 2 teams to have won both of their rounds, with the Dorset club having amassed 596 points compared to Weston’s 539. The venue – would you Adam and Eve it – the Link Centre – again (we’re all pretty sure this has absolutely nothing to do with the whereabouts of the organizer of the SJL). Having outdone Wigan and Manchester City (sorry Pete!) in the last round, this time the challenge for the purple army was to outdo the Red Arrows who were flying over WSM just as our heroes got changed ready for battle (many armed with the war paint to prove it!). Let the racing begin!
Swim Bournemouth started incredibly strongly, winning 4 of the first 6 events, with WSM’s 10 year old medley relay quartet (Freya, Caitlyn, Sarah and Beth) the pick of the bunch in claiming a second place. Weston trailed back in equal fourth. The next 5 events all generated second places - 12 year old boys medley relay (James, Evan, Mason and Joe H) and their female counterparts (Immy, Jess, Megan and Holly), Madeleine Soper (25m freestyle), Joe Reeves (25m freestyle) and Caitlyn Wallis (50m breaststroke). Event 13 and Weston land their first win of the night courtesy of Rachel Anderson in the 50 backstroke. This was soon followed by 2 more triumphs – a sensational 25m breaststroke from Ellie Redman and another commanding 50m fly swim from Rachel. These wins were punctuated by a super second for Freya King (50 back). After 25 events, Weston’s 99 points placed them second, 16 clear of the Seagulls, but 25 behind Bournemouth. Much work still to do!
Some great swimming was being witnessed by the packed crowd, but in the next batch of individual events, top 2 finishes were eluding Weston, such that Bournemouth were pulling away. Event 35 and up pops Freya King with a second in the 50m freestyle, while four events later, Rachel Anderson lands her third win of the night, swimming up an age group in the 12’s 50 backstroke. Going into the final 9 relay events, WSM were second, but SX3A were breathing down their necks just 6 points behind. Some awesome relay swimming saw Weston placed second in six of the last 9 events – 9 years medley (Caitlin, Ellie, Bethan A and Madeleine), 10 years girls freestyle (Caitlyn, Sarah, Freya and Beth), 10 years boys freestyle (George, Ben J, Jackson, Ben B-W), 11 years girls medley (Charlotte, Bethan R, Rachel and Ruby), 12 years girls freestyle (Holly, Immy, Megan and Jess) and 12 years boys freestyle (James, Mason, Evan and Joe H).
At the final count, it was Swim Bournemouth who deservedly won with a colossal 228 points, a super second for Weston (181), third were SX3A (170) with Seagulls (154), Penguins (148) and Trowbridge (143) closely bunched at the bottom. A great team effort, with several swimmers swimming up an age group on account of swimmer unavailability on the night and an improvement of 2 places on last year’s ‘A’ final, when we finished well behind Bournemouth, Seagulls and SX3A.
Many congratulations to the magnificent WSM team: Caitlin Ashurst, Bethan Anderson, Ellie Redman, Madeleine Soper, Freya King, Caitlyn Wallis, Sarah Carr, Beth Bryant, Rachel Anderson, Ruby Soper, Charlotte Stanbury, Bethan Rees, Immy Moroney, Jess Dadds, Holly Richards, Megan Richards, Owen Mercer, Joe Reeves, Ben Bradley- Wilson, Noah Statter, Charlie Deakin, Ben Jones, Jackson Harper, George Langman, Jenson Hathaway, Evan Brunsdon, Harry Reynolds, Toby Daniel, Joe Ham, James King & Mason Boobyer. Well
done to Lottie Dadds, Robson Bird, Jayden Boobyer & Oscar Rogers who represented the club so well in earlier rounds. The SJL team are photographed sporting their new shirts kindly sponsored by Powells with Chawner Grey Solicitors.
Crafty Monkey Pottery Studio 53a Oxford Street, Weston-Super-Mare, BS23 1TR.
WHAT DO THE FOLLOWING HAVE IN COMMON? (Answer – overpage)
two hundred (200) roller coaster Churchill lark gruel Kickboard Granny Smith
painkillers granny flat fluorescent jacket Hard shoulder butter cold turkey
frozen peas Patience go slow grannies shoulder blood wall
train Millfield fly King blocks WSM
ESTATE AGENTS VALUERS AUCTIONEERS
Contact Stephen & Co Individual Marketing with Professional Advice Before you Take the Plunge Full Colour Sales Particulars into the Property Market Free Floor Plans
Extensive Internet Coverage Established 1928
Regular Advertising in Both Local & Regional Press And
Prominent Office Location Still Independent
Accompanied Viewings
Free, No Obligation Market Appraisals
Regular Feedback
13 & 15A WATERLOO STREET, WESTON SUPER MARE, BS23 1LA
www.stephenand.co.uk [email protected]
ANSWER - MILLIE DADDS Having trained so hard all season, Millie was really looking forward to the Regionals at Millfield and the 200 metre butter fly event in particular. But the Monday before, disaster strikes at Churchill as Millie sustains a shoulder injury. Rest and frozen peas were suggested to help her through the week – and lots of painkillers (within the limit). Suddenly resting and going cold turkey was no use, Millie just had to train – it was in her blood. So armed with her kickboard and fins, it was up with the lark and off for a 0630 swim with Granny Smith and her dearest old friend Granny Flat, not in the slow lane, but more like the breakdown lane, or hard shoulder at Hutton Moor. How the two go-slow grannies didn’t get a whack on the head with the kickboard is only testament to Millie’s patience. Not what you would call ideal preparation for regionals!
Sunday duly arrives (as it generally does after Saturday) and our brave WSM swimmer is in the water for the warm-up (presided over the previous day by none other than Mr. J. King, sporting a very natty fluorescent jacket it has to be said). Soon afterwards (well about 2 hours to be really honest), Millie is on the blocks and 2 minutes and 39 seconds later is touching the wall having not only completed the gruel-ling event and stayed intact, but done so in a PB time to qualify for the regional final. Making the final and then matching the heat time was an amazing achievement and a fantastic end to something of an emotional roller-coaster week. Very well done Millie – true class and an example to us all in perseverance, will power, belief and raw courage.
Fineline Aluminum Unit T, Aisecombe Way, Weston-Super-Mare, North Somerset, BS22 8NA. Tel: +44 (0)1934 429922 Fax: +(0)1934 416796 [email protected] www.finelinealuminium.co.uk
Reflections on a Day at British Championships
The last week in June and it’s time for the British Champs at Ponds Forge (Sheffield) with seats on the plane to Barcelona for World Championships at stake for the best British talent. While it is safe to say that Sheffield is hardly on our doorstep, what a weekend it turned out to be once the post-school 200 mile trip north on Friday night had been duly negotiated. With heats kicking off at 0915, it was up with the lark to enjoy a hearty breakfast with several swimmers (Rachel trying to look for names on swimmers’ passes to identify the likes of Michael Rock, hovering around the sausages) then stroll across to Ponds Forge.
Up first Robbie Renwick, Grant Turner and Adam Brown in the 100 free heats. Next, Stacey Tadd, Molly Renshaw and Hannah ‘Smiley’ Miley in the 200 breast. Then the one we’d been waiting for, MJ in the 100 breaststroke heats racing against Andrew Willis, Craig Benson and Ross Murdoch. Event 406 brings another friend of WSMSC – ‘AJ’ or Antony James in the 100 fly, also featuring Harry Needs (also known as Becky Adlington’s other half and by George, there is Miss Adlington in a pair of bright orange trousers just waiting for Rachel to collect her autograph – get in there). Fran Halsall follows in the 100 free before the 200 back and then Dan Fogg (1500 free) conclude the morning’s heats. Walking back to the hotel after heats and who should be waiting but Siobhan-Marie O’Connor. Quick as a flash, Rachel has the programme out and she’s signing it as her dad is thanking Rachel for asking her for her autograph. Lovely people. The autographs are mounting as Stacey Tadd, AJ and Hannah Miley add to the collection. To the evening session and again, Miss Adlington is spotted on the swimmers’ side, with her sister (a lookalike) sat next to Hannah in the crowd. On the other side of us is none other than James Goddard’s mum, who is as nervous now as she was when he was nine.
Great finals and semi-finals action in the evening with wins for Jemma Lowe (100 fly), Roberto Pavoni (200 IM), Lauren Quigely (100 back) and Sophie Allen edging out Siobhan in the 200 IM, with all the stars qualifying for finals the next night including MJ. Time to head to Pizza Hut for a late tea. Tucking into the salad bowls, whilst waiting for pizzas to arrive, who should walk in than Michael Jamieson, GB’s silver medal winning Olympic breaststroker, fresh from having qualified earlier in the evening for the 100 final. Rachel is nearly past herself with excitement; everyone else not far behind. Oh my word, where does the waitress place MJ and his 2 fellow diners – but in the table right next to us. Stay cool everybody – we need autographs, we need to speak to him, we need to respect that he has just raced and is in chill mode, but we can’t miss the chance. Moments pass, MJ is in conversation, then finally having ordered his large Hawaiian pizza (Italian base) and bottomless Pepsi (if I order this, will I become an Olympian????), MJ makes his move to the salad bar. On his return, the moment arrives – strike! A quick apology, then Anderson size tens are straight in there – first the autographs, then a bit of Celtic football talk and then onto WSMSC – MJ asks how we are getting on and then having reminded him of his trip with Jess Dickons to Hutton Moor, states that he loves coaching and when asked, states he would be well up for coming back to do another session. Result! Bring it on.
After that, seeing Michael Rock at breakfast the following morning really seemed like after the Lord Mayor’s Show – no disrespect to him intended. Great event. Great being surrounded by Britain’s top talent, and in the words of Rachel, “MJ’s so hot; we’ve just got to get him back to Weston.” Keep an eye out on the noticeboard and website for developments on this. This is the kind of activity we want to use easyfundraising and other fundraising money to fund. The more that is raised, the more things we can do out of the ordinary. LOOK no further...
for quality and service in vision!
Thorough Eye Examinations for All Ages, NHS & Private Clients Welcome, Contact Lens Fitting & Care, Quality Products Competitively Priced & Friendly, Professional Care & Advice
Your Eyes Are Precious
Let Our Fully Qualified Professionals Help You Take Care of Them!
184a High Street, Worle, WSM. 01934 512838 www.carpenters-optometrists.co.uk
'Carpenters Optometrists’
Email: [email protected] Web: www.cameronandbirdsw.co.uk
Cameron and Bird has built a good reputation for clean, timely work which has set a high bar for our competitors. Covering all aspects of heating including oil and LPG, we are able to provide the heating you need whatever method is required.
233478 c11020
CLUB CAPTAINS MOVE ON TO FRESH WATERS
Both Nick Kuht and Esme Gullick, our club captains, are reaching an age where they are about to head off to the next phase of their studies – away from WSM. Here, I caught up with their respective mums, Justine and Tracey, to find out a bit more about their involvement with WSMSC and their plans for the future. Nick and Esme – on behalf of everyone at the club, thank you for your contribution to the club over the years, we wish you all the very best for the future and look forward to seeing you back in the water whenever you are next home.
Nick’s Story Nick joined WSMSC when he was nine years old having been spotted at swimming lessons with Hutton Moor. He soon got into the swing of it, though even today does not do early morning unless a Saturday. It didn’t take long for him to realise that front crawl was his favourite stroke and the shorter the distance the better!!!! Hence, 50m freestyle very soon became his best event.
He competed at the Somerset’s from 9-14yrs, always finishing in the top eight, coming third twice. He also swam at the regionals, competing in the 50m and 200m freestyle events. Nick enjoyed swimming in the Southern Junior League and the Speedo (later Arena) National Swimming League. His claim to fame is that he once swam against David Davis!!
Over the last couple of years he has not trained or competed as much so to concentrate on his studies and to play cricket. However, the training has kept him fit and he has become a fast and powerful bowler.
Without the many teachers/coaches on pool side giving up their time, there would not be swimming club. So for the last two and a half years Nick has helped with Learn To Swim on a Thursday night, only stopping very recently to focus on preparation for his ‘A’ level exams. He qualified as a level 1 teacher two years ago.
At the end of September he hopes to study at Leeds University for a 4 year Biology degree. One year can be spent on a work placement or doing research abroad, i.e. Australia or the USA.
Nick has enjoyed his time at WSMSC and made lots of friends, and now drives himself to training. Many people have given up their time over the years. However, two will stand out for him. Laura Griffiths (now married) was one of the first coaches that took Nick’s lane when he joined. The other person is Phil Moore. Even now, if Nick has had Phil for training, he will comment on the enthusiasm that he shows after a few years coaching! He is also always very tired after a Phil session!
Nick photographed on his 18th birthday. Esme’s Story
Esme learned to swim at the age of six in 2001 under the guidance of coach Mary Low. She recognised that Esme had a good fly technique and suggested joining the WSMSC squad. Three years later and Esme joined the squad, coached by Bernie Nicholls. The phrase the rest is history seems quite apt here.
Esme has been part of the club’s National League team since 2006. Individually she was a Somerset finalist and top 8 BAGCATS winner throughout the years. Her first regionals championship came in 2007 – a fourth place in the 200 fly a pretty good entrance to this level of competition.
Coached by Rachel since her arrival at the club, Esme is the current Somerset 200m Backstroke and 200m Fly Champion. She is also the current 200m Fly Southwest Region Champion – one of sixteen individual regional medals she has won over the years. As well as training with Weston, Esme also trains as part of the England Beacon Swimming Network and the Somerset Swimming Network.
She first qualified for Nationals in 2010. In 2012, she finished an amazing 6th place in the 200m fly. In both 2012 and 2013, Esme has qualified for five events at Nationals – 100m/200m fly, 100m/200m backstroke and 200 IM. She qualified to swim in the 2012 National 50m Olympic trials in 100m and 200m fly, and has represented Somerset County swimming squad in 2011 and 2012 at the National Counties Championships. The Olympic year 2012 saw Somerset attain their highest ever finish of third place.
Being a student opened up new pathways (or waterways?) for Esme. In 2012 and again the following year, she qualified and swam for the South West Colleges Swimming team. In both years she became the British College’s 100m fly champion. In 2013, she was selected to swim for The South West Schools Team at the English Schools Swimming Championships (ESSA), where a top placing could see her represent England.
A week after Nationals Esme flies out to Fresno California for four years to swim as part of the Fresno Bulldogs Team and to study a degree in Sport Science where she has gained a full scholarship for her swimming achievements.
Swimming is a great cardiovascular exercise because you are moving against the water’s resistance, which is over ten times that of the air.
Residential Sales and Lettings Agents Whether buying, selling or renting, there’s only one estate agent that’s really in the race. For a free market appraisal or just an informal chat, contact us on 01934 843016 or email us on [email protected] Action! Enthusiasm! Results!
Residential Sales and Lettings Agents
Whether buying, selling or renting, there’s only one estate agent that’s really in the race. For a free market appraisal or just an informal chat, contact us on
01934 843016
or email us on [email protected]
Action! Enthusiasm! Results!
Shepherds Way, St. Georges, Weston-Super-Mare, BS22 7XE. Tel: 01934 521670
Email: [email protected] Web: http://woolpack.butcombe.com
A 17th century coaching house on the old Bristol to the West Country road that was once a wool packing station serving local farmers by baling wool for the northern mills.
Fresh Local Produce Restaurant Local Traditional Ales Carvery Bars Log Fires
John West Renewables Vernon Court The Great Weston Centre Weston-Super-Mare North Somerset BS22 8NA Telephone: (01934) 622891 www.johnwestrenewables.co.uk
Next Newsletter
This will report on the ASA British Gas National Championships at Ponds Forge, as well as reports on polo matches and an LTS update. Do please send any photos from swimming, L earn To Swim, masters and polo and they will be included in future newsletters. Contributions of articles, good websites, jokes or reports from galas would be really welcomed. Please send to [email protected]
T hank you to those who have sent photos for this newsletter and to Matt (Regional Youths), Tracey (Esme article), Justine (Nick article), Tim (Exeter Meet), Jenny (tri news), and Mike (polo) and Zara (LTS) for information to write articles.
HOT OFF THE PRESS – MORE QUALIFIED OFFICIALS Many congratulations to Steve Soper and Mark Eveleigh on passing their J1 officiating assessment at the Taunton Deane Level 3 meet. Well done guys, and thanks to you, and all of our other officials, for all the hours spent on poolside at galas this season – without the Persil white army we wouldn’t have any entries accepted into galas.
REFLEXOLOGY WITH CAROLYN
Reflexology is a holistic and gentle therapy which may help relaxation, improve mood, aid sleep, help to relieve tension and improve a sense of well-being.
It is suggested that Reflexology may aid, amongst other things:
Stress and Anxiety Back Pain Joint Pain Skin disorders Headaches Hormonal Imbalances Digestive disorders Breathing disorders
Contact details: Carolyn Guiness MAR Mobile: 07796 171819 Tel: 01934 863505 E: [email protected] www.reflexologywrington.co.uk
£5 discount when you mention this advert
Carolyn is a full member of the AOR & a member of the Complementary & Natural Health Council