New Pool, New Caps, New Attitude !

Well what a beautiful day it was, bright and sunny. Picked up fellow Redfins Malira and Hilary and we were off to Craigie Leisure Centre for what was shaping up to be a great day of swimming. Well the swimming was great and the pool was lovely,however, for all concerned it was somewhat "bittersweet".

Cue the music - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lz48hdB_g2s

If ever there was a time to pull out THE GOOD, THE BAD and THE UGLY it is today.....So grab whatever makes you feel good, sit back and relax because here it comes - and it's gonna be a long one !

THE GOOD

• The pool - outdoor and only a couple of years old. New starting blocks and plenty of shade for spectators
• The swimming. Let's get to it - 13 Mighty Redfins attended today's gala. Awesome.
  
• Tammy's 200IM was a great swim - well paced and even better was she only had to call me once for directions ...love your work Tam.
• Nadine SLASHED 10 secs off her 200 Free time...going from 3.15 to an awesome 3.05 today. Her first 100 looked great, unfortunately mother nature called your correspondent rather urgently so i missed the last 100. However, judging from her post race nap Nadine gave it everything.
• Pauline swam in her first gala for the club. Overcoming a dodgy shoulder her 100 breast looked oh so elegant.
  
• Barbara continues to swim very well despite telling herself that she is getting old(er). An excellent 200 free
• Who says swimming is a non-contact sport. Malira unfortunately injured her groin whilst warming up and was unable to swim in her pet event the 100 breast. Great swims in a couple of 50's indicated that her times are indeed coming down.....even better news was that it only hurt to close her legs....
• GP is preparing nicely for nationals. His 100 Breast was great and he looked very sharp in his 50 free.
• Hilary enjoyed the day away from 4 eating machines and was very happy with her excellent 50 Free...nothing wrong with my stop watch either young lady !
• New member Nola competed in the 50 back, breast and free and after completing a boot camp session earlier in the day is hopefully sleeping soundly...Well done Nola.
• Another new member Simon competed for the first time as well today. His 200 Free was well paced and 13 secs under his entry time. Simon was also going to swim in the relays but was denied the chance (more on this later).
• Emma swam a great 100 breast and only took 4 breaths (allegedly) in her 50 Free. A special mention must go to her husband Jon. When i told him how great he was supporting his wife by attending all the galas...Jon smiled and said "Better than being stuck at home with whinging teenagers!". Thanks for the glimpse into my future Jon.
• Mark D managed to get through today without wanting to belt someone (i think). Oh he also managed a lazy 28 for his 50 fly and 27 for 50 Free.
  
• Jason "The comeback Kid" Davey cranked out an awesome 32 for his 50 back and I think (although the results are not up yet) just pipped brother Mark in the 50 free....Its ok everyone i LET him win !

THE BAD

• Cancelled relays....yes you read that right....due to technical and poor administration the carnival was running so late that they iced the relays.
  
• Your correspondent's goggles filling up COMPLETELY with water at the start of the 200 free...if you have never tried swearing underwater i can highly recommend it. It's almost as good as inhaling helium and then talking with a high pitched voice.
• The carnival running VERY late and oh hang on did i already mention that?

THE UGLY

• Folks we have a new winner today and i am basing this on the premise that it COULD have turned very ugly indeed. In their haste to get the 50 free finished by 12.30pm, the officials were simply calling everyone's name, marking them off and handing them their allocated lane tag. After calling for quiet a number of times the clearly frustrated and frazzled officials tried to get things going and call the next name only for someone to call out "BINGO".
  

There was much laughter and the culprit quickly realised his error after the daggers that were stared at him by the officials and slunk off behind me. Just as well, otherwise one Jason Davey might not have made it home today !

No results posted as yet. Will update once they appear (could be a while folks).

So again as mentioned at the start the Red Fins all swam very well and everyone's times are improving. It's great to see so much enthusiasm both in and OUT of the pool !

Yours in Sucrose
Damo