The Faulty Flipper – Kirklees Masters’ Newsletter Tuesday 24 September 1991 Edition 15
North East Counties
Held at Scarborough on 21 September, 1991, the NEC Championships demonstrated the continually rising general standard of Masters Swimming. The competition gets hotter and hotter, despite several absent friends (Eddie B Riach, Trevor B Clarke, Harry B Hanson Martin B Fenner and Alan B Gentleman).
Two clean sweeps, in the Mens ‘C’ Group backstroke, with Brian Stephen and Graham taking turn and turn about for Bronze Silver and Gold, demonstrated that at least so far as the men are concerned we are keeping up with the rest or better. The ladies are still keeping ahead.
A new idea for this report is the ‘Squad Record’ ( SR).
Suzanne LintonBreast 100 87.73 BFly 50 35.87 7 PBFree 50 32.21 8Free 100 68.9 5Free 200 153.79 6IM 100 79.03 4
Victoria LintonVicky’s swims must be the performance of the meet. I read a swimming book which said you might improve your performance by losing weight. Has Vicky read the same one?Back 100 80 4 PB SRFly 50 35.22 6 PB SRFly 100 76.1 B PB SRFree 200 144.52 B PB SR
Carol ToddCarol was pleased to round off the day with her time in the 200m and a medal in the relay team.Breast 50 42.34 7Breast 100 92.14 5Free 50 36.56Free 200 176.22 8 SRIM 100 90.2 9
Diane HepworthDiane has now made her markBreast 50 49.3
Louise Lee – Glorious as everBreast 50 43.39 8
Wendy OffordCan you believe that Wendy complained at this?Back 50 38.18 GBack 100 85.69 GFree 50 32.99 G PB SR
Christine PartonChristine really is improving. She has the happy knack of ‘shaving’ her PB and the Squad record by a small amount on each outing.Breast 50 46.19 4Breast 100 97.16 BFree 50 36.82 5Free 100 82.27 4 PB SR
Trish MellorTrish was tired, poor dear, and only took home a Gold Silver and Bronze.Back 100 89.15 GBreast 50 45.55 BBreast 100 96.93 SIM 100 88.31 4
Tony FawthropTony faced some very strong (and very tall) competition.Back 100 75.07 4Breast 50 35.49 BBreast 100 79.44 4Fly 50 31.65 BFree 50 27.79 6IM 100 70.25 B
Tony RuddimanBreast 50 39.07 9 PBFly 50 34.22Free 50 29.62
Barry SummersBarry is quietly going about the business of getting faster.Fly 50 42.63Breast 50 41.72 10Breast 100 94.03 6 PBFree 50 36.95Free 100 84.04
David LarkinsDavid’s main target was to break the minute for the 100 free.Breast 50 37.31 8Fly 50 34.44Free 50 26.7 4Free 100 59.8 4 PB
Kevan BrownBreast 50 37.14 7Fly 50 33.45Free 50 29.00Free 100 65.77 PBIM 100 74.63
Simon GarsideFly 50 29.06 GFly 100 65.86 SFree 50 26.28 SFree 100 58.94 SFree 200 132.19 5IM 100 65.88 S
Trevor ThewlisAs always Trevor showed a lot of commitment as his PBs show.Back 50 35.18 6 PBFly 50 31.68 8Free 50 29.62Free 100 64.81 PB
Brian GodfreyThis was Brian’s first time out for many, many years. His success was at the expense of my rather elderly 100m fly record. The 100 Free was swum at the same time as demonstrating to the assembly a novel way of using goggles as a nose clip.Back 50 34.24 BBack 100 74.94 BFly 50 31.27 4Fly 100 74.47 S SRFree 50 28.25 SFree 100 64.17 B
Graham HodgsonThere is a chap from Motherwell called ‘A Gentleman’. Now we have one of our ownBack 50 33.44 G SRBack 100 74.6 SFly 50 32.17 5Free 50 29.41 6Free 100 66.7 5
Stephen HepworthDespite the new competition (see above) and three weeks learning to empathise with a baked potato, Stephen carried off a goodly haul of medals.Back 50 34.14 SBack 100 73.28 GFree 50 29.1 5 PBFree 100 65.25 4Free 200 147.57 BIM 100 74.72 G
David SwarbrickFly 100 91.03 B PB SRBreast 50 43.04 7 PBFree 50 33.24 10Free 200 164.55 5 SRIM 100 87.23 5 PB
John ChaplinBreast 50 39.97 S PB SRBreast 100 91.25 S PB SRFree 50 32.93 9Free 100 72.53 5Free 200 167.01 6IM 100 86.94 4 PB SR
John InghamBack 50 45.19 4Free 50 40.05
Teams120+ LadiesThe medley team included Victoria and Suzanne Linton, Trish Mellor and Louise Lee, and managed a silver with 1m 8.8s. The Free team was the two Lintons plus Wendy Offord and Carol Todd and won a silver in a time of 59.89s.
Men 160+David Swarbrick, John Ingham, John Chaplin, and Graham HodgsonMedley 1m 8.44s (9) Free 1m 0.94s (8)
Men 120+The ‘A’ Medley team (Andrew Simpson, Anthony Fawthrop, Simon Garside and David Larkins) won a Gold with a time of 55.32s. The ‘B’ team managed 58.76s, coming in fourth.
The ‘A’ Free team came home in 48.45s Andrew Simpson, Anthony Fawthrop, Simon Garside, David Larkins. Though only getting a silver, this was a brilliant performance, and again a very exciting race to watch. Hull, our traditional rivals came in a second and a half later. The ‘B’ Free 52.51s Kevan Brown, Brian Godfrey, Trevor Thewlis, and Graham Hodgson came in a strong fourth.
There was a knees up afterwards. Those who went home early include, Trish, Christine, Graham, Brian, Jim and myself; in other words all the sensible ones. Those who came late include Neill, Robert, Jonathan and Tony Ruddiman. In other words, those about whom it is best to say nothing. I am sure they all behaved themselves. It is just how they behaved themselves that worries me. I wonder how many turned up for the free two hour training session on Sunday morning and the seminar?
Paris
I am not going to Paris, which may be the best reason for you others to go, but also it reduces even more my own desire to involve myself in the arrangements. For anyone who wants to make arrangements, the venue is the Stade Nautique, Robert Keller. Contact the Piscine Keller, 14 rue de l’ingenieur R Keller, 75015 Paris Tel (1) 45 77 12 12. Closing date 8 November. Booking details. Express Travel in Halifax have made some enquiries for us (0422 330443). Hotels Abroad – basic twin room œ28.50, Paris Travel Service may be cheaper (0920 463900). Try also Euro Express (0293 511125).
Progressive Records
Now for group D. These are only for swims for BOK in accredited Masters events and Marathons. The point of publishing all these figures is to give you something else to aim for.
Backstroke – 25m Pool 25m 6.04.91 18.74s Trish Mellor
Backstroke – 25m Pool 50m 22.09.90 39.75s Trish Mellor24.11.90 38.87s Trish Mellor23.02.91 38.50s Trish Mellor
Backstroke – 25m Pool 100m Stock 90 85.82s Trish Mellor12.05.90 85.14s Trish Mellor22.09.90 84.76s Trish Mellor
Backstroke – 50m Pool 50m 23.06.90 40.99s Trish Mellor
Backstroke – 50m Pool 100m 23.06.90 86.96s Trish Mellor3.11.90 85.89s Trish Mellor
Breast – 25m Pool 25m 6.04.91 20.64s Trish Mellor
Breast – 25m Pool 50m 22.09.90 45.59s Trish Mellor23.02.91 45.38s Trish Mellor6.04.91 44.71s Trish Mellor
Breast – 25m Pool 100m Stock 90 98.30s Trish Mellor12.05.90 98.05s Trish Mellor22.09.90 97.53s Trish Mellor24.11.90 96.54s Trish Mellor18.05.91 96.31s Trish Mellor
Breast – 50m Pool 50m 23.06.90 46.41s Trish Mellor
Breast – 50m Pool 100m 23.06.90 99.87s Trish Mellor22.06.91 98.15s Trish Mellor
Butterfly – 25m Pool 25m 6.04.91 20.57s Edery, Noreen
Butterfly – 25m Pool 50m 18.05.91 45.46s Edery, Noreen
Freestyle – 25m Pool 50m 18.05.91 42.07s Edery, Noreen18.05.91 36.73s Parton, Christine
Freestyle – 25m Pool 100m 11.05.91 82.79s Christine Parton18.05.91 82.48s Christine Parton21.09.91 82.27s Christine Parton
IM – 25m Pool 100m 12.05.90 87.70s Trish Mellor22.09.90 87.16s Trish Mellor18.05.91 86.12s Trish Mellor
There is no room for the men’s records this time. In any event John Chaplin and my names get very boring.
Cruising
No this is not what Jason did. Cruising is going just that little bit less fast than you might in training. How hard do you swim in training? How do you measure how hard you are swimming? Do you have to pinch your cheeks just before you get out, so that Jim might just think you were trying? Do you stand in the pub after training on Tuesdays and rub your shoulders pensively? Do you climb out to go to the loo two or three times in a session to try to persuade Jim that it is just too hard. Have you run out of the cramps yet?
Are you just taking it easy at the back, or even worse taking it easy at the front? Or, like me, do you hide behind whoever you can get to go first?
Who is faster?
This time out it is breast stroke.
Breast 25m 5032.64s B Garside, Simon35.21s A Fawthrop Anthony36.14s B Larkins, David36.20s B Brown Kevan37.33s X Bees, Alison39.24s A Linton, Victoria39.61s B Ruddiman Anthony39.68s C Hepworth Stephen40.22s D John Chaplin40.37s A Copeland Kieron40.69s A Linton, Suzanne41.72s B Summers Barry41.80s B Lee, Louise41.82s A Brodie-Brown, Yvonne41.87s B Todd, Carol42.64s E Brown Anthony43.04s D Swarbrick, David43.62s A Dobson, Alison44.33s A Thornton, Clive44.71s D Mellor, Trish45.12s D Parton, Christine
Sexism
I have had some complaints of sexism in the writing of this object. It has been said that my praise of the ladies is more fulsome than that of the gents. The truth is however that I have only ever been inside the Gents loo, and cannot comment on the condition of the Ladies. Rumours to the contrary are not to be encouraged.
That wasn’t what you meant? Ahhh, Yes, but if you really want to read about ‘Ripple that muscle’ Garside or Luscious Larkin, or ‘Divine David’ I am afraid you will have to write it yourself.
Stirling
Anyway, Simply Super Simmo, Georgeous Garside and Kevan from Heaven (you can see now it just doesn’t ring true), all went off to Stirling to swim for the Young Fogeys. Andrew managed a spectacular time for 50m backstroke (29.45s). This causes a problem for Jim: how to account for someone who trains only every now and then and smokes.
Technique
This is more of a question, and concerns the front crawl leg kick. All the books say that one should kick from the thighs or even hips; some books also say that the feet should be kept up to twelve or more inches apart. Is there a link between the two? Some of our more experienced swimmers have denied that one should keep one legs apart, but again, I can only quote the books.
Having tried to keep my legs slightly further apart, I find that this is done with the thigh muscles. This results in a kick which also seems to emanate from the thighs. Each foot is also kicking into cleaner water, undisturbed by the last kick of the other foot, and should have more grip. It also gives a stabilising effect to the whole body, providing a contrary torsion against which the arms can pull. Happily it also produces the ‘wobbly bum’ effect which denotes all the well trained swimmers.
No doubt one should be careful not to exaggerate the effect, but I do feel that this has given me a more powerful leg kick at least over shorter distances. Any (polite) comments?
Bits
Kevan has found himself a job in Derby. Sadly therefore one of our most devoted swimmers will be leaving us at least mid- week, from the end of September. I hope we will still see him on Saturday mornings and at galas. Good luck with the new job.
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Swim Shop [0484] 656082. Apologies to Helen Sullivan. I got her name wrong. if you want to be sure that Helen has what you want next time at the shop, ring and give her plenty of notice. Note that for the moment, having just moved house your call will not be answered, until BT sort themselves out. (TT please note) PLEASE support the swim shop.
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We might soon lose the additional quarter hour at the beginning of the Wednesday session. One of the best ways of preventing that will for you to be there prompt, changed and eager to go at 8.15pm and no later. It might not work, but we shouldn’t let it happen from default.
Note, for those who haven’t noticed, that just for the moment we have an extra quarter hour at the beginning of the Monday sessions. Be there at eight thirty. We expect to lose it shortly, as and when the keep fit starts again, but just for the moment you can enjoy your extra 15 minutes of agony.
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Diving in at the shallow end. I am sure you will all have noticed repeated ad nauseam injunctions not to dive in in shallow water. This has emerged from a recent court case where a competitor was injured on diving in from a starting block.
First therefore, the advice must be not to dive in at the shallow end at any of the pools we swim at. If you disregard this advice, (as I may do from time to time), you do so at your own peril. The sort of racing dive Jim dislikes (the one where you stick your bum up in mid air) is intended to increase the angle of entry, providing a cleaner and deeper dive. It therefore may be more dangerous.
It is easy to laugh at this, but diving accidents can be cataclysmic, and those who went to swim at Liverpool will know how uncom fortable a half filled pool can be.
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Noreen, as you know goes to the BOK committee meetings on our, that is your, behalf. If you have anything you want said, let both Noreen and Jim know.
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Fees I, of course, am always up to date with my fees; you may not be. At least I thought I was, but the new (to me) rule is that you have to pay your fees at the beginning of the month, not toward the end (like me) or the month after like some of you or never like … Just pay up, there’s a good boy. It is good value.
CALENDAR
RegularSun 11:00am – WeightsMon 8:45pm – 9:45pm Camb Rd Large PoolTue 7:30pm – WeightsTue 8:45pm – 9:45pm Camb Rd Large PoolTue 10:00pm – 11:15pm the Fleece LindleyWed 8:15pm – 9:30pm Camb Rd Small PoolThu 5:00pm – WeightsSat 8:00am – 9:00am Sports Centre
The times for weights are not fixed at all but you might check at other times whether it is being used.
Meets: For entry forms and entries, please see Wendy, Trish, Kevan or Simon. Lifts can also usually be arranged; ASK.
September 1991
27/28/29Masters Long Course training camp at Cardiff. Ring 0222 382296 – George Frantzeskou for details.29 Leicester Masters (+19/24s) (0533 629001 for details)
October 1991
6 Northants Masters at Corby (inc 19/24) – forms from A H Phillips Vine Cottage Oakham Lane Staverton Daventry Northamptonshire NN11 6JQ7 Swim Shop12 Closing date for Hull Sprints16 After training in the bar18-20 * * * * * ASA National Masters Championships at Sheffield. The Ponds Forge pool has received rave reviews and surely will be the venue for many future meets. This must be the the best one to go for.25 Closing date for the Leeds Swim Marathon29 BOK Annual Dinner
November 1991
5 Swim shop8 Closing Date for Paris8/9 Chester. Distance events on Friday evening; sprints all day Saturday9 * * * Hull Masters Sprint Meet all 50s, 100IM + 25m Free. Includes a Free seminar on ‘Age Performance’ Morning and afternoon. Forms now available from Wendy Offord.16/17 Wolverhampton Masters + 19/24 – Info from A M Ward 103 Crowther Road, Wolverhampton WV6 0HX20 After training in the bar at Cambridge Road16/23 Leeds Marathon Swim. Swim this year and raise money for Martin House Children’s Hospice (Please). I will have entry forms soon, and sponsorship forms as you need.
December
3 Swim Shop8/9 Paris. Will cost abot œ190.00 to go Friday am, have the day and evening out in Paris, B&B Friday and Saturday somewhere cheeap and cheerful, swim Saturday, enjoy yourself Saturday Night, possibly swim again on Sunday am, Lark about Sunday pm, and stagger back to the plane arriving back Sunday lat evening. What more can you ask for?8 Milton Keynes. Snowed off last year but it had a good reputation before that. Has swims for under 25s and is on the Sunday, so those who can’t make it to Paris should seriously consider going. I for one will be going to MK rather than Paris.18 After training in the bar at Cambridge Road
February 1992
22 Sunderland Sprint Meet. This was quite enjoyable last year. Manual and occasionally wild timing, You won’t need a woolly jumper.
April 1992
3/4/5 Guernsey Masters – Time for shopping and sightseeing – Apply John Eyre, Belval, Belval Road, Vale, Guernsey
Right of Reply
Somebody else must have something to say. You can’t want to read this rubbish for much longer. I am not sure I can keep down the standard. If the FF upsets you at all, then put pen to paper and do better. So far I have received contributions from Alison, from Noreen and promises from Jonathan.
The opinions are entirely mine, and are not attributable to either BOK Swimming Club or to Kirklees MC.
This web-site, and its contents, are the work of David Swarbrick. I speak not on behalf of BOK, nor BOK Masters, indeed for anyone. All compliments and complaints to David Swarbrick. Contact David by e-mail at dswarb@gmail.com.
Created: 22 October 2001 Updates: 2 Nov 2001, 13 Jan 2010
