Scorpion Swim Team

I have to say that it’s getting tougher when you are at meets of this standard as getting into them at all is in fact a major bonus. There was a mixture of swims at this one but having said that everyone competed with all their heart and soul managing to break their personal bests and if not then post times on their personal best or very near them.

Three club records were broken at this meet Ellie Watt took the 50 back, Katy took the 100IM with Rachel taking the 50 Fly just after Katy had taken the 50 fly record from Rachel so it’s all good from a competitive point of view.

I would like to also mention the following swimmers who also had tremendous swims Darcy, Natalie, Natalia, Emma and Summer with Cambelle taking a bronze medal for her 50 breaststroke. Although stuffed with the cold Alice never gave up and she is a star for getting through her swims given she was not 100per cent. Kara also had a very good breastroke swim. The older boys did really well in their 100 free swims although Jasper admitted he needs to improve on his turns . Jasper did 1 .11 Thomas 1.10 and Elliot posted 1.07.

I never find writing these reports easy as often or not there are so many highlights that to single out anyone would be unfair however, Katy smashed her entry times out of sight despite getting away with an error in her 50 fly (will say no more on that one lol). Its now the case that more swimmers in the team such as Summer, Natalie and Natalia are pushing through to provide healthy competition to those who have been in the club longer and that is what it should be. It means no one can rest on their laurels and healthy competition leads to faster times.

I can’t praise all those who took part highly enough however whilst the starts and turns are getting better they are still a million miles away from where I would like to be. So these are areas we have spent time on and which we will continue to work hard on in training to perfect them as best we can.

As I have mentioned before the events at this gala are all sprints either a 50 or a 100 swim and one small mistake can often or not lead to your personal best not being broken. More than one error can be a disaster as swimming is a brutal and unforgiving sport at times. I cannot stress enough the importance of concentration when you are told about the small things in training which will make a massive difference to your performance levels. Provided all of you carry out these instructions then life will be a lot easier for you when you compete and as you all are beginning to learn it’s hard work swimming fast no matter what the distance. We are still heading in the right direction of that there is no doubt whatsoever but as you all know I am a perfectionist so attention to detail in your training is vitally important.

The spirit shown when we swim as a team is nothing short of fantastic and our reputation as being a club who always come out with a smile after swims is spreading. I am often asked what our secret is however as Kara says a magician never tells his secrets lol. There is however no secret, it’s down to caring about what you do and putting the hard work into all your training sessions.

Training is hard at times but everyone should have the desire to lead the lanes they are in as to do so means you will be working that much harder. Try if you can to avoid being tail end charley ie always at the back of the lane.

It’s been a hard year with the Tranent gala being the last one for 2019. I can honestly say without any hesitation whatsoever that it is a privilege and an honor for both Susan and myself to coach all of you, as you always give your swims everything you have and that’s all anybody can ask of you.

Finally never forget that if you don’t get a personal best or are disappointed in any of your swims then be positive because next time competing you will hopefully cut out any errors and also have more experience to cope with any pressure in these galas.

Very proud of all of you so keep up the hard training and pay attention to all the small hints and tips given to you as they can all mount up to seconds off your times.

The club records will of course be updated in due course.

As usual I am signing off and heading for a lie down for a much needed rest.

Colin Galbraith

Head coach Scorpion Swim Team

ITS THE LITTLE THINGS THAT MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

We were heavily represented at this meeting and as usual everyone who took part swam their hearts out.

Four swimmers made finals Alice (50 Fly) Kara (100 Breast) Rachel (50 Fly) and Ellie (50 Back) all swam really well in the heats to reach the finals.

It’s the little things that make the difference especially on 50 metre swims and there is still a lot of work to be done on starts and turns.
I am however very pleased that the starts and turns are getting better but there is room for improvement. There were many highlights during the day too many to mention in one report so I have picked a few which clearly stood out.

Kara breaking the long-standing club record on her 100 Free clocking 1:18 -Rachel at long last breaking 40 secs for 50 Fly, Darcey-another cracking 50 Back – Ellie great time on 50 Back.
Katy would have clocked 39 on her fly but drilled a stroke but it was an amazing swim. Alice like a motorboat on 50 Fly. Emma as usual went off like a rocket on her 50 free and just a minor hiccup meant she smashed her PB by 4 seconds.

The boys were looking to improve massively on their 100 free times which they did Elliot with a 1:08 Thomas a 1:11 and Jasper a 1:10 .
All three were disappointed that they did not hit lower than these times but as I pointed out the 100 Free was at the end of a hectic days programme of heats and finals and they will smash these times in the very near future. Jasper had a great 100 Fly, Elliot a great 100 Free and Thomas an excellent 200 IM (36 secs on his fly split not shabby at all)

Summer produced a very good 50 Free and Cambelle a very creditable 50 Breast just missing out on the final.

It’s the smallest margins that count and if you even make a tiny mistake it can prove the difference between a good swim and a great swim so everything has to be right. On a positive note the starts are improving and fitness levels are very good at the moment due to the harder training sets and the work ethic of the team. I would like to make special mention of Elise who clocked a 1:38 for her 100 Back which was full of power and pace she kept it all together and going for the four lengths so well done you.

If I have missed anyone out in this report then apologies however there were so many great swims it was impossible to cover all the swims at this meet.

The hard work achieved over the last few months has meant in most cases that our swimmers are not only competing in heats but are reaching finals. The most pleasing aspect of all is that in many cases those making the finals are actually producing faster times than in the heats which is very difficult thing to do.

As per usual this was an exhausting day for not only the swimmers but for myself and Susan but we would not trade that for anything as watching the swims at this meet made us both very proud of all of you.

That does not mean we ease off in training as there is still the Tranent Christmas Gala so it’s back to the hard sessions which, if done correctly, will enable you to achieve your goals.

Can I also take this opportunity to thank the parents of all the swimmers in the club for their constant encouragement to not only the swimmers but also to myself and Susan.
I make mention of this as it makes a very hard job (coaching) so much more pleasant when parents give you their support and backing, It is very difficult to balance hard sessions with making the hard work enjoyable. A swimmer will never perform well if too nervous however it is amazing the desire and effort shown by a good number of our swimmers when they compete. Credit to all those who managed on their 50 swims to not breathe between the last set of flags ad the wall. This was very important and made the difference between making a final or not.

There were eight club records created at this meet as follows:-

Kara 100 free 1:18.13
Elliot 200IM 2:57. 65
Jasper 100 Back 1:21. 49 – 100 Fly 1:24. 91 – 100 free 1:10.06
Rachel 50 fly 38.73
Ellie 100IM 1:35.58 – 50 back 41.36
These club records will be updated in due course.

I am away for a lie down but have already worked out a plan to bring these times down even further.

Colin Galbraith

Headcoach Scorpion swim team.