Bristol Henleaze Swimming Club

BHSC Breaststroke Swim Clinic

Saturday 17th saw Bristol Henleaze hold its first stroke clinic taken by an international swimmer. We hope to have more ~ depending on international swimmer availability~ to supplement our annual summer camps.

This camp was focused on (distance) Breaststroke and taken by Scottish (I was a bit fearful that Fiona would be the only one to understand him) and GB international Michael Jamieson.

Michael ran an enjoyable and informative 2hr pool session getting in the pool on numerous occasions to demonstrate the points he was making (stripping down to his Speedos much to the enjoyment of the mums attending).
It was nice to have many of the points of technique used in the club emphasised by an eminent swimmer and with different and interesting drills.

I know Richard and those parents attending were positive about the session, comparing it most favourably with the recent GCASA breaststroke session!

The pool session was complimented by a short talk by Michael on nutrition and motivation supplemented with a general discourse about swimming and Michael.
An interesting and important point was that Michael never made the Nationals until he was 16 and spent 3 subsequent years without a PB in his chosen event, demonstrating that determination and perseverance pays! How many swimmers are lost to our sport by giving up or being written off too early?

A big thank you to Michael, and also to Sue Gardiner and Marco Maestri for organising such a marvellous opportunity for our swimmers. We are also very grateful to Bristol University for letting us have their pool at such short notice.

Photos to follow!

Sunday 11th December saw the first of 2012’s county championships (blocks) held at GL1, the 800 metres freestyle.

Bristol Henleaze had 4 swimmers attending and we achieved 2 Golds and a Bronze.

 Boys

Sam Marshall swam well - holding consistent splits- for a 15 second PB to take his Bronze medal.

Girls

Abi Bowring in excellent form, took 5 s off her time to take a fantastic Gold.

Maddie Nairn got over her fear of the event to break the 11min barrier with a 22 sec PB. There's a lot more there Maddie!

Jorji Longdon swam her usual gutsy race and despite her recent run of injuries swam just outside her PB to take another Gold.

Sunday 18th December. For the 1500m freestyle and we had just one swimmer travelling to Gloucester to take part. Jorji excelled in this event, earning another Gold medal in under 20 minutes and finishing 1min 30s ahead of her nearest rival. Her 800m split was 11s faster than her time for the 800 free just a week ago. Well done Jorji!

Can I remind all that everyone needs to get there entries in for the Blocks A.S.A.P. Let’s all enter as many races as we can: do Bristol Henleaze proud and do yourselves proud. We don’t expect you all to win, we just want you to be winners in that you swim your best, after all that is why we train.

Bristol Henleaze attended and hosted this 3^rd and final round gala at Bath Sports and Leisure Centre on Saturday and won! It was an experience that all from the club enjoyed very much (in stark contrast to the first round) and demonstrates the need for all swimmers to do their best to attend and swim at their best.

We had 13 first and 12 second places with PB's in individual events from Sam Marshall, Alasdair Jones, Damien Williams (well he was faster 14 years ago!!) Maddie Cheesley, Molly Huckle, Rhian Hughes, Zak Elliot, Archie Watts, Holly Tanner and Matt Bray. Individual event winners were Jane Garry, Abi Bowring, Arche Watts, Alasdair Jones, Holly Tanner, Matthew Bray, Marcus Gardiner  and there were team wins for the 9/11yrs boys, 15/u girls, 15/u boys and both cannon teams. It was good to see Abi Bowring return from injury and swim so well. Others swam at near their best times with others improving their times in team races. .

We have missed a bit of training of late and some I am sure could have swum even better. It just goes to show that if we can get our strongest team out and if we all swim to our ability we can do even better.

It was great to see the team spirit, already high during this close gala ,increase as the gala progressed and reach a crescendo during the two final canon races which Henleaze resumed their usual winning form. Fabtastic!! I heard reports that parents were running up and down the spectator gallery cheering our swimmers on !!

Thanks to Hilary, Marco, Curtis and Eddy for organising team on poolside, Kathryn and her teams for her organising skills (and Team Manager), Brian, Martyn and Richard for officiating and assistance with team selection.

Provisional Results of National Arena League, Division 1 "B" final, 2011

Bristol Henleaze 167

Bodmin Dragons 163

Clevedon 144

Bristol Central 140

Devonport 134

Don't forget that your Gloucester County entry forms need to have reached Brian Guy by Friday 23rd December at the latest. There are many swimmers with qualifying times who have yet to return their forms.

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