Pretty frosty when I got up awoken by my snowman alarm clock reminding me that the reindeer were needing fed (well the car needed some fuel). Pulled along at a fair pace we slid unnoticed into the car park awaiting arrival of our elves to commence the Xmas gala.
It is amazing what a carrot and stick approach will do as the elves representing the team were informed by another coach from Lapland that if they achieved a pb for any of their swims then they were to grab something from Santa’s hat stuck on the wall.I don’t think Tom, Head Coach of Fauldhouse who kindly stocked the hat with sweets bargained for the number pbs our team racked up. A constant pathway through the snow towards this magic hat was the order of the day.
The referee in Lapland was kitted out in a variety of costumes ranging from the Loch Ness monster to a woman cabaret artist. John Sluman is now appearing in an updated version of Aladdin at the Lyceum theatre in Glasgow. Tickets for the panto are £10 pounds for adults and £3 for children all money raised from ticket sales goes to buying more ludicrous outfits for John to wear next year.
Susan distributed the Xmas crackers (legally acquired she informed me) at the coaches Xmas lunch held in Santa’s grotto whilst in my case having eaten too much turkey managed to make my way down to poolside hoping to have a quick nap ( eh doubt it will happen)
The morning session consisted of 8 of our elves swimming however it would not be fair of me to single out all the baubles on the Xmas tree. I say this because the number of great swims would mean me having to convert this report to hardback. It was also a battle to see the results which were posted on three billboards just outside the changing rooms. I do however think it is worth pointing out that Jessica who has not long joined scorpions continued throughout the morning to smash all her previous times way out of sight. The after Xmas entertainment was provided in the form of relays x 2 and as usual we produced some great swims.
The afternoon saw more tremendous swims culminating in Thomas and Elliot in their 100 free’s who were to quote a famous Xmas advert “flying through the air looking for a place to land” 1 14 for Thomas 1 13 for Elliot. Jasper (without any false starts this time) pulled off an incredible 1 19 for his 100 free so we’ll done Jasper
I just want to say that it is very difficult to produce pb’s all the time it’s a wee bit like you asking for something special and maybe having to wait and save up. Having said that whilst nothing is guaranteed I for one can honestly say that anyone who did not record a pb will do, so as long as they keep up the hard training and listening to what is being taught.
If there were any club records broken at this gala then they will be updated on the advent calendar website soon.
Elves at the gala
Jessica
Emma
Darcy
Kirsty
Ellie
Cambele
Alice
Maggi
Thomas
Elliot
Abby
Annabella
Aimee
Kara
Rachel
Jasper
Proud of all who took part at this gala and please remember there are a number of factors that need to all come together before you might smash your times. I for one know that we are heading in the right direction.
I am away to have a rest eating some more turkey and falling asleep to the renditions of the great escape on the tv for the 45th time.
Keep up the good work and when the Xmas break comes keep the fitness levels up.
Colin Galbraith
Headcoach