I don't mind admitting that was a long weekend and I'm only just recovering from it, 16 hours work on both Saturday and Sunday straight into morning training on Monday, but it was worth it. I know I'm not alone in doing those hours and would like to thank everyone who volunteered their services over the weekend, without your hard work it would not of been possible.
The weekend started with Arena League and what a performance from both teams. After a quick heart to heart with the A team, they stepped up and looked incredible. Battling with Coventry and Leicester Penguins all the way to the end and taking some serious scalps in the process. Finishing third in the gala we have missed out on repeating getting to the final this year however if we can maintain that level of performance from now on we will become not only a regular top ten finisher, but a regular finalist. It was nice that Coventry's coach came over to us at the end of the gala to congratulate us saying that in another draw we would have finalled again. Even though that is true we need to learn to beat clubs like Coventry and Leicester if we want to progress not only to regional finals but national finals. A special mention to Kevin Wallbank who become the club's first ever winner of the 200 IM, in this competition, in an amazing time of 2:06. The B team were once again on sparkling form with the open swimmers dominating their events. A few DQ's which could have been avoided and 2nd place was on the cards, however they finished 4th but the progress made by the B team this year is a true barometer of how the club is progressing with a greater depth in top quality swimmers than before.
So from a late night Saturday to an early morning start Sunday for the clubs first ever Long Distance meet. A well ran meet giving swimmers the opportunity to compete in the long events normally reserved for Championships. As a club we have had a lot of positive feedback about the running and set up of this meet which is a credit to the volunteers involved. We still need more of you to step up and help out on events like this even when your child isn't swimming, as the money raised from these events helps keeps your fees down. Johnathan Hampshire who trains in our J1 squad, competed in his very first 400 IM, which is the toughest event on the programm. He knows now he is capable of anything in the pool. Hopefully this will be a lesson to all of you so that you enter more of these events and test yourself in the future.
Finally it was a mad dash down the A52 for Diddy Time Trials. Attended by over 70 swimmers, some doing races for the first time others trying to grab a place on the diddy team. If this is a sign of things to come then the future is bright indeed with some excellent swimming from the bottom end of our club with lots of great skills.
Whilst all this was going on we also had masters swimmers competing in the inter county masters championships as well, and once again our masters led the way for Derbyshire. From top to toe our club is in great shape and improving all the time. Remember to keep working hard and focus on your skills.
