The Faulty Flipper
Kirklees Masters’ Newsletter
22 January 1992 Edition 19
Leeds 92
Take note of the earlier date for the Leeds Open this year – 25 and 26 April. This makes the Leeds event the first of the bigger events, and we should now be aiming for it. Make a suitable space in your diaries.
ASA English Championships 1992
At Sheffield in October last year a lot of pressure (including a petition) was put on the ASA to hold the next National Short Course championships at the same venue, Ponds Forge. The event had been the biggest swimming event ever held in Britain, which itself says a lot for how far Masters Swimming has come, and people clearly felt that to go elsewehere could only be at the expense of the competition, with either fewer events or fewer compet itors or perhaps both. Macclesfield had been booked for this year, but the announcement has now been made that the Championships will again be at Sheffield in 1992, again on October.
Well done whoever managed that. Also this year, there will be an additional special event, the 400IM, and swimmers will be restricted to 7 of the main events only. I think that last year you could only enter 7 events including the special events.
The Back Stroke Turn
The last has not been heard about the new turn. At the recent National Short Course Championships one of our very best back strokers missed the final after being disqualified on the turn in the heats.
Guidance has now been given. First, the words that matter are ‘one continuous movement’ Remember those, follow their spirit and all should be well. In effect anything which breaks the continuity or takes undue advantage of being on the front and not on the back will be frowned upon.
Out are – gliding in (a bit harsh that), kicking on your front, and extra pulls.
The following is from a letter to the Swimmer (December 1991). The letter is from Brian Eeles who was the referee for the ASA Nationals at Leeds. He repeated the briefing he had given to the judges at the event. We can no doubt expect the same interpretation to be followed elsewhere.
“The swimmer when performing the backstroke turn must execute it as a contin uous turning action. So, after leaving the position on the back, the turn must start without any glide or kick. The rotation of the body from the horizontal position may be assisted by a pull of the arm(s). The swimmer then drops the head and, once this action has started he may kick to assist rotation. (Any kick must be an integral part of the turn)
He then repeated three salient points (a) The turn must be continuous (b) there can be no kicking or gliding when on the front before the turn, and (c) Once the body has started to rotate the swimmer can then kick to assist the turn.”
My own view is that a short elucidation of a short rule suggests either that the rule was badly drafted or that the interpretation is not to be relied upon.
It also seems utterly dense to allow an arm stroke, which must always assist forward movement as well as rotation, without allowing a glide. Surely a glide, pure and simple, must be slower than any assisted movement, whether the glide is on the back or the front. A glide must lead to a loss of momentum and is therefore self penalising. The longer the glide the slower the turn will be. I cannot see any point in disqualifying for it except that it makes it look less like back stroke. My view makes no odds of course.
Postal Swim
We have details of the British Long Distance Swimming Association postal swim. This a one hour swim is to be swum during January and February 1992. If anyone is interested, John Chaplin will have all the forms and will be able to enlighten you. Apparently Andrew and Neil have the record for this event (with others).
Milton Keynes – The Video
Alistair was kind enough to take his video camera with him to Milton Keynes. The quality is in fact quite good (the video – not the swimming), and a lot better than I expected.
Unfortunately I was caught by the camera. There is nothing much worse in this life than seeing yourself on camera. It appears that I have more to fear than most in this respect. The film seems to wobble rather more when trained upon me. This might be excitement, I suspect it is more likely to be laughter.
Nevertheless several of the races are caught and in particular the infamous relay race where Neil’s goggles/pants went astray. If you get a sight of this race, you can join in the controversy as to what really happened. I am not sure whether to set up a fund to which those who so wish could contribute in an effort to persuade me not to distribute the tape.
Starring are Alistair, Paul, Brent, Suzanne, Kevan, Simon, Andrew Simpson, Andrew Pilling, Neil, Robert, David Larkins and of course, moi.
I am told that Alistair intends to transport the beast up to Sunderland. I hope next time he concentrates his skills on others.
Rankings
These rankings are to December 1991.
Fly 25m 100
64.33s Simon Garside
70.80s David Manning
74.47s Brian Godfrey
75.25s Alison Bees
75.91s Trevor Thewlis
76.10s Victoria Linton
81.76s Yvonne Brodie-Brown
83.64s Suzanne Linton
88.62s David Swarbrick
A short but honourable list.
Free 25m 100
57.14s Simon Garside
58.84s David Larkins
59.96s Andrew Simpson
63.66s Brian Godfrey
63.85s Alison Bees
64.18s Stephen Hepworth
64.81s Trevor Thewlis
65.37s Alistair Russell
65.77s Kevan S Brown
66.45s Anthony Ruddiman
66.67s Suzanne Linton
66.70s Graham Hodgson
69.25s Brent Turner
70.71s John Chaplin
73.17s Yvonne Brodie-Brown
73.29s David Swarbrick
73.82s Clive Thornton
79.10s Anthony Brown
79.44s Kieron Copeland
80.75s Alison Bullivant
82.27s Christine Parton
82.39s Carol Todd
84.04s Barry Summers
Medley Choice
Please Jim, do not read this.
At Milton Keynes, we were quite unsure of how to swim the ‘B’ medley team of Paul, Brent, Alistair, and myself. Having checked it afterwards on my computer, three things are of interest. First, that we achieved a better time than would be predicted simply by adding together all our PBs; the difference was about half a second. Either we swam very well or the effect of the medley start is more significant than anticipated. Second, the (would have been) predicted time was actually very close to that achieved. I had expected a greater difference. Third and most important we could with hindsight and a computer have changed the order and on paper we would have achieved an improvement by well over a second. The fastest combination suggested by the computer was not one I remember any of us proposing. It really is not as obvious or as easy as it sounds to pick the right team.
I forget what happened in the ‘A’ team. Andew Simpson swam the Back stroke and David the Free, but I think then that Simon swam fly and Kevan the breast stroke. In any event my computer prediction was within 0.7s of the time achieved.
I am sure it would pay us to identify a long time beforehand just who will be in these teams and to try to work out who should swim what. This is difficult because, typically, someone will say, ‘Well I am not sure I can make it’. Unfortunately, in the past we have had swimmers go to competitions just in order to swim in the teams to find they lose their place to someone else who turned up on the day.
ÛÛ ²² ±± ºººº ±± ²² ÛÛ
Back to the idea of holding a Kirklees Masters Masters Meet. Noreen has volunteered to put her back into organising it, so long as the burden is shared. Realistically we need two or three others to say the same thing.
If anyone is interested, please have a chat with Noreen about it as soon as possible. I suspect that we need to plan ahead by a good year.
ÛÛ ²² ±± ºººº ±± ²² ÛÛ
Note that when we enter events in a group and one person pays for all the entries, it is important to pay up for your swims promptly and without being asked, and if possible with a smile. The person submitting the form can have to fork out up to a hundred pounds of their own money. It is no fun first to find that money from your own pocket and then to have to chase around collecting it in miserable dribs and drabs. I have heard no particular complaints, but it suits us all to have entries submitted in this way. Do not abuse the trust placed in you.
ÛÛ ²² ±± ºººº ±± ²² ÛÛ
On Saturday 7 December Jo Leveridge from ‘A’ Squad reached the Finals of the National Short Course championships at Barnet Copthall and got to swim on the tele (sounds uncomfortable). Well done. In the same race were two swimmers who regularly swim in masters events, and once again it was remarkable how many swimmers over twenty five and even over thirty were in there with a shout.
Joe has also now been picked for the National Junior squad. Again, well done Joe.
ÛÛ ²² ±± ºººº ±± ²² ÛÛ
Any runners amongst us might well take advantage of their prowess at swimming to take part in the Batley Duathlon in March. Only a 500m swim and a six mile run. I can think of several obvious candidates to enter. The event is organised by the Windmill Triathlon Club and there has been a strong link between that club and our own Masters squad.
ÛÛ ²² ±± ºººº ±± ²² ÛÛ
Autumn ‘Swim Weeks’. Enjoy a whole week of swimming at Pontins at Southport on October/November. Two one week courses are to include provision for Master swimmers. The rest of the family will also be catered for in the complex. The weeks are Sunday 25 October to Sunday 1 November and 1 November to 8 November. Contact 0704 77165.
ÛÛ ²² ±± ºººº ±± ²² ÛÛ
Jim whispers that he expects great things of you at Sunderland. He has said many times that our training is ‘money in the bank’ and now may be the time to spend it. On the other hand, given the mortification of flesh and soul we endure, it might be more a case of – as Chaucer once said; ‘Mordre woll oot’
ÛÛ ²² ±± ºººº ±± ²² ÛÛ
Welcome back to our other French swimmer, Jean-Francois. Along with Isabel we now have quite an international lane in lane four; Noreen from Peru (you didn’t know that did you), Alistair from some distant and strange planet and most unbelievable Wendy from Lancashire.
ÛÛ ²² ±± ºººº ±± ²² ÛÛ
ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ»
° CALENDAR °
ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ
Meets: For entry forms and entries, please see Wendy, Trish, or Simon. Lifts can also usually be arranged; ASK
January 1992
31 – 2 Feb
Training camp – weekend at Norwich with the East Anglian Swallow Tails – Contact Jane Asher, 38 Keswick Road Cringleford Norwich NR4 6UG – only œ89.00 including accomodation and full board. Seems good value to me.
February 1992
14 Closing Date – Batley Duathlon
22 Sunderland Sprint Meet. This was quite enjoyable last year. Manual and occasionally wild timing, The pool hall was very warm, but there wasn’t much space to sit. If you want to eat or drink anything, take it with you. The facilities were non-existent.
March 1992
7 Richmond Closing date
22 For those of a brave disposition, the Batley Duathlon run by Windmill Triathlon club (Batley ) 12.00 noon from Batley Sports Centre. 500m swim plus 6 mile run.
April 1992
3/4/5 Guernsey Masters – Time for shopping and sightseeing – Apply John Eyre, Belval, Belval Road, Vale, Guernsey
BEGIN COMMENT
Blue Horizon Jersey 0534 34117/75570/20597 – from œ159.00 inc flights car and acc 24 September, 1991)
END COMMENT
4 Richmond Masters and Open Sprint Meet. This was Simon’s favourite last year and an opportunity for all. 25m and 50m in all events! Theer is also an Open event for the ‘X’ rated swimmers.
BEGIN COMMENT
Contact Harry Hanson (Drumlins, Aysgarth, Leyburn, North Yorks. DL8 3SP (Tel 0969 663546)
END COMMENT
6 Closing Date for Darlington.
17/18/19 (Easter)
Jersey. It seems a bit daft having this so close to the Guernsey Meet, but nevertheless it seems a good alternative. Includes open age group. 33.3m pool. Contact Mrs Gloria Henry, Les Quatre Saisons, St John, Jersey CI (0534-62409)
17/18/19 (Easter)
Coventry Masters. Graham Sykes, City of Coventry Swimming Club, 6 Walkers Orchard, Stoneleigh, Coventry CV8 3JG. Included 800m events last year.
25/26 Leeds Open. After hosting the GB mAsters last year, Leeds is back to its usual Masters Open. It seems to have been brought forward this year and sits uncomfortably close to the Coventry meet. However, for the moment this must be the one for us to concentrate on.
May 1992
9 Darlington Masters. A very friendly and well organised meet with very good facilities. After so many sprint event, this one allows you to wallow about on some 100m races. Good value even if it clashes with the Yorkshire Closed Meet. Details from Mrs J Robinson 48 Stonehaven Way Darlington DL1 3RG (0325 282859)
15 Reading Masters – Contact John Jeffery, 6 Warren Road, Woodley, Reading Berks RG5 3AP
;
June 1992
5/6/7 Crystal Palace GB Masters. National Long Course Championships.
September 1992
North Eastern Counties – location to be announced
October 1992
16/17/18
ASA National Masters Championships at Ponds Forge. This will easily be the top event of the year, and the one to aim for.
Regular
Sun 11:00am-Weights
Mon 8:45pm-Camb Rd
Tue 7:30pm-Weights
Tue 8:45pm-Camb Rd
Tue 10:00pm Fleece Lindley
Wed 8:15pm-Camb Rd
Thu 5:00pm-Weights
Sat 8:00am-Sports Centre
The opinions are mine, not those of either BOK Swimming Club or to Kirklees MC.
Top
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
