Squad Newsletter 1

The British Long Distance Swimming Association holds a ‘One Hour Postal Swim’ each year. Otters took part for the first time last year and we had some excellent results (see below). The idea of this swim is to collate the results of the distances swum in one hour, by sex and age, from entrants across the Country.

Both of the above sessions will be devoted to these one-hour swims, there will not be a normal swimming session on these nights. Those of you that swim both Sunday’s and Monday’s only need to come on one of those nights and we suggest that you come on the Monday as the pool is much more crowded on a Sunday. In addition to entering the Postal Swim, we would also like all swimmers to obtain sponsorship for the distance they achieve. This is to raise money for much needed Club Funds to purchase equipment, cover the cost of coaches to gala’s etc. etc. The cost of entering the Postal Swim is £3.50 per swimmer. You will need to bring this money with you on the night. If you want a set of your own results when they are published, there is an additional £1.00 charge, however, the Club will get a set of results which will be displayed on the noticeboard when available.

We would like all of you to participate in the one hour swim and we would certainly appreciate as much sponsorship as you can manage (last year this event raised over £600.00). However, if you do not want to pay the fee to enter your result into the Postal Swim, that is up to you. A sponsor form is attached, please bring it with you on the night and it will be signed to signify the distance swum to enable you to collect the money.

Whilst quite a few swimmers participated in the one hour swim (and obtained sponsorship), we only have the distances swum available for those who entered the Postal Swim. These are as follows:

Name	Age Group	Distance Achieved	Position
Katy Hall	Girls 10 – 11 years	3260 metres	32^nd out of 233
Lauren Palmer	Girls 10 – 11 years	2420 metres	137^th out of 233
Sam Musgrave	Girls 10 – 11 years	2325 metres	147^th out of 233
Jasmine Young	Girls 10 – 11 years	2125 metres	179^th out of 233
Stephanie Dixon	Girls 12 – 13 years	2420 metres	141^st out of 174
Stacey Watson	Girls 14 – 15 years	3320 metres	44^th out of 82
Helen White	Ladies 40 – 44 years	3150 metres	8^th out of 35
Daniel Ponting	Boys Under 10	2625 metres	26^th out of 151
James Magness	Boys 10 – 11 years	3295 metres	24^th out of 190
Rhys Jenkins	Boys 10 – 11 years	3170 metres	38^th out of 190
Cameron Smith	Boys 10 – 11 years	2890 metres	71^st out of 190
Jonah Cook	Boys 10 – 11 years	2705 metres	97^th out of 190
Luke De Sciscio	Boys 10 – 11 years	2615 metres	109^th out of 190
Alistair Sammon	Boys 10 – 11 years	2525 metres	119^th out of 190
Sarah Dixey	Girls 12 - 13 years	2720 metres	111th out of 174
Sam Cook	Boys 12 – 13 years	2880 metres	61^st out of 108
Tom Deane	Boys 12 – 13 years	2515 metres	82^nd out of 108
Tom Hall	Boys 14 – 15 years	3725 metres	21^st out of 61

Each year we have had swimmers who have attended this course. It is very hard work but good fun and has proven to be very beneficial to all of those who have attended. An entry form is enclosed for those who wish to apply. This needs to be returned to Karen Hall, completed and signed (please see section on medical details), together with a cheque for £30.00 payable to W.B.A.S.C. by Monday 1^st March, at the very latest. Your cheques will not be banked until we have received confirmation that you have been accepted. We will submit all entry forms received by 1^st March, but this is no guarantee of acceptance by the Pewsey selection committee.

This course is organised and run by volunteers which is how the cost is kept so low. If any parents can volunteer to help out (even if only for a day or so), please can you also complete and return the attached Attendance Form for Adult Helpers. You don’t have to be a qualified teacher to do this, as you will see, they are looking for help with food and with the tuck shop. However, Teacher’s and Assistant Teachers are always in short supply so if anyone can spare some time to do this it would be appreciated. We have been sending children on this course for years and, to our knowledge, we have only supplied one teacher, for one day – and that was last year!!

Depending on numbers, we will try to organise a rota to transport the children to and from Pewsey. As soon as we know who has been accepted on the course we can organise whatever is necessary. We are aware that some parents work and transport can be a problem.

That’s about it for now, don’t forget to check out the website for details of all gala fixtures for 2004.