Category: Head Coach

SWIMMING IS LIKE A SNAKE IT CAN COME BACK AND BITE YOU!

In the morning the young ones swam outstanding with loads of personal bests with outstanding swims from Cambelle, Ellie W. Ellie A, Darcy, Emma, Natalia, and Summer. The split times in one of the relays were fantastic, however, we got disqualified for a too fast changeover enough said as it’s easily done.

Four club records were set in the morning, Summer taking the 200 freestyle record posting 3.04 and as the first 100 of this swim is a counting swim for 100 free she also set a new club record for the 100 clocking 1.27.82. Then came two amazing swims by Ellie W breaking the 50 fly club record posting 41 secs and following up with taking the club record for the 100 IM so well done. It was also nice to see her uncle made it to see her swims and nice to catch up with him as he was coached by me about ten years ago lol.

Yet again the speed and streamlining are a few of the things we are improving on. I have to say the time posted by Emma on her 200 free was amazing as she took 7 seconds off her time which was great.

A word also about Darcy who was heading for a big personal best but her finish was not the best and as soon as she came out the pool she mentioned that she had made an error. She will smash her 50 back time soon of that I have no doubt. Natalia had a fantastic 50 breast stroke swim not only a personal best but also winning the heat she was in. The improvement in her swimming is quite remarkable and she also posted a 39 seconds time in her split in the 4 x 50 freestyle relay so well done.

The afternoon session was slightly disappointing, however both Rachel and Elliot were a bit under the weather and a couple of small errors here and there by Kara and Katy meant that they were either on or just above their personal bests.

Elliot still managed to take the 200 freestyle record posting a creditable time of 2.35. I am not sure what happened in the afternoon other than to say there were many aspects which need worked on and it will all come alright in the end.
What I have noticed is that the starts especially the diving has vastly improved within the club but our turns yet again could be better.

We have had a period of success which has lasted a very long time, certainly longer than we would expect and like a snake who can strike when you least expecting it, swimming shows it’s fangs as a very difficult and brutal sport.

I love coaching especially this team and what interests me the most is the aspects which can be improved once identified. I suppose a bit of a geek that way but if it improves any swimmer then great. I still think some of the training sessions need to be stepped up (I can here a groan with that comment) however you all know it makes sense.

So all in all a mixed day but one which shows how far we have come and how far we still have to go.

The spirit shown is simply amazing as any Scorpion swimmer in the water is cheered on by all who are not swimming in that heat which makes for a pleasant environment and one which enables each swimmer to improve. Well it’s onwards and upwards to the next gala and I am sure that if you listen to what is coached in the training sessions this will enable you to bring those personal best times tumbling down. The club records will be updated by Susan in due course.

Once again we are both super proud of all that took part in this competition.

Colin Galbraith

Headcoach Scorpion Swim Team

We had quite a few call offs from this gala which was a shame as the new track starts covered in training coupled with the back plates on the blocks at Glenrothes makes this a fast swimming pool.

Indeed for the first time ever I am lost for words as nearly every swim both in the morning and in the afternoon produced personal bests. In the morning as our swimmers were doing so well the team even got praise from the announcer commenting on the number of fast swimmers being brought through the club. That’s the first time in our 11 years we have had that happen to us and we were so proud of this comment as it takes something very special to get noticed especially in the quality of field at this competition.

There was two club records set which was elliot’s 100backstroke which lowered his existing record to 1.20 and as he was 8th overall he received a medal. Jasper set a new 14 year old fly record. The boys had as usual to wait to the end of the gala for their 100 free swims and the girls stayed on to cheer them on helping Elliot to lower his 1.07 time and Jasper pushing him all the way with a 1.08 outstanding by both of them. Ellie Anderson had two personal bests on her 50 free and 50 breast both very good swims. Cambelle hit 45 on her 50 breast and got fourth overall and a medal which given the hard meet was some achievement.

Swimmer of the day was Summer – very fast time on her backstroke, 100 IM followed by a personal best on her 50 breast and last but by no means least clocking a very low 38 on her free and that was posted from lane 1!! At one point nearing the finish of her race she was heading for a 36 but just ran out of steam understandable given the long day. Cambelle would have posted 38/39 but drifted in at the last moment again she will break these times very soon.

So the full list of times are as follows Ellie A 50 breast 58.80 (pb 1.12) 50 free 44.55 (2 sec pb) Elliot 100 back 1.17.28 (1.29pb) 100 free 1.07.75 (pb 0.09) Summer 100 I’m 1.42.94 (pb 5.25) 50 back 45.97 (pb 1.74) 50 breast 56.56 (pb 17.57) 50 free 38.17 (pb 5.39) Cambelle 50 back 44.22 (pb 1.26) 50 breast 45.99 (pb 0.53) 50 free 40.29 Jasper 100 fly 1.22.98 (pb 1.93)100 free 1.08.54 (pb 1.52).

In my time as head coach of the club I have always been impressed by how well our swimmers do at galas but hand on heart nothing prepared me for the times posted in all the swims at this meet especially as most had only been achieved on the 1st February! . It just goes to show we may only have had four swimmers in the morning and five in the afternoon but as the heading shows it was nothing short of remarkable what happened at this meet. I think the blocks with the back plates and the fact we are now all track starting helped but it’s not just down to that it’s down to a combination of god given talent, hard work, and the ability to listen and learn on all the wee things that make all the difference in training.

So all in all this was just outstanding, awesome and class swimming at its very best and as usual so proud of all of you for showing everyone what can be achieved. Keep up the fantastic work and I can honestly say that this is the start of something very special.

Colin Galbraith

Headcoach Scorpion Swim Team