This weekend saw the end of cycle 1 of the 2018 /2019 season.
With most of the club competing this weekend it was great to see the progress made by all the swimmers. The introduction of the race suit policy has been a great success with swimmers buying into it and understanding the need to work on skills in race environments instead of just trying to go for times all the time.
The Arena league was tough with hard draws and missing swimmers but we still managed to hold on to our place in the top flight. Can all swimmers be aware that the rounds are always on the second Saturday of October November and December every year and make sure they are available for these galas.
The big 50 showed how well the younger end of the club is progressing. Lots of great times and fewer disqualifications than usual.
At Chesterfield we faced stiff opposition, however the swimmers did the club proud and produced 150 personal best times off 211 swims, many had set personal best times during the cycle so to beat them again was impressive. We finished with 150 County qualifying times and 16 Regional qualifying times including Alex Harrand getting the 200fly time as his first ever regional time.
As usual our swimmers behaviour was amazing and massive thank you to the Team Managers who make our job as Coach easier by making sure the swimmers are on time and looking after themselves. Can parents please not tidy up for your children, we want them to be responsible for their area etc. If you are not there they expect the Team Managers to do it, this is not their job and swimmers need to learn to do things for themselves.
A mention to our home swimmers racing at winter nationals under the Derventio and Loughborough colours, all three swam personal best times and all three made finals and moved their times on again, well done to Kev, Ryan and Emily.
Overall it has been a great first cycle with lots of improvements. Look out for the gala programme and remember to follow your coaches advice about to what to enter and what to wear etc. This is only the start and whilst it has been successful let’s keep pushing forward and make the name of Long Eaton swimming club something people talk about for all the right reasons.
All that is left to say is enjoy your break, eat well, sleep well and stay active. Let’s come back in the new year refreshed and ready to reach even higher heights.
