On Sunday last seven swimmers from the club travelled to Ballymena to take part in Swim Ulster Development Meet. The swimmers raced over a variety of strokes and distances and in most cases achieved PB’s. The swimmers and strokes were as follows. Matthew Comiskey,200 Breaststroke,100IM. James Campbell, 200 Breast,100 Backstroke,100IM.

Gearoid Coyle 200 Breast,100 Back. Lorcan Roberts 200 breast,100 Back. Caolan Roberts,100 Back. Louise Gorman 200 Freestyle, 100 butterfly. Allison Gorman 200 Free, 100 Fly.

The coach provided feedback to all swimmers post all swims.  This related to their actual performance in the just completed swim. It focused on all areas of the swim such as Start, turns stroke action, leg kick, body position etc.  In summary the coach at the gala wanted to have included in this report the following universal problems in breaststroke for our attending swimmers (and some not there too he is certain).

The execution of the underwater pull was very poor or non existent.  Swimmers must push off deeper, stay down and take a full keyhole shaped arm pull, with high elbows to ensure a speedy and progressive phase of the stroke.  This must be practiced at training routinely in order to ensure it will be done effectively in competition.  Another key element needing attention is the head position during the stroke and kick. Basically if it is too high the legs will be too low, causing significant frontal resistance, and a weak downward directed kick, both lead to poor propulsion from the pull and the kick, thus affecting swim speed and times.

Finally the need to improve the actual turning action on touching the wall and to have it effective and speedily executed is absolutely essential.  Swimmers and coaches must practice this as it is costing all swimmers a lot of time as it is done ineffectively and completed without cognisance of centrifugal force and speed.

Issues arising from the Freestyle and Backstroke were closely related to the breaststroke points.  However, in Freestyle the speed of tumbling was noticeably too sluggish and not being aware of the number of strokes from flags to wall in Backstroke was alarming and resulted in several citations (a nice way of putting being disqualified).

Good luck to the following 17 swimmers who will travel to Lisburn at the weekend. Deirbhile Coll, Conor Comiskey, Colin Gorman, Alannah Leonard, Caoimhe Leonard, Caragh Leonard, Emily Madden, Cillian Mc Gahon, Claragh Mc Gahon, Shauna Mc Gahon, Eimear McKenna, Sean McKenna, Megan McShane, Peter O’ Hara, Emer Sheridan, Jamie Sheridan and Orla young,

Good luck to the following who travel to the NAC to compete in the above gala. Deirbhile Coll, Allison Gorman, Olivia Gorman, Cliona Sheridan, Ross Delaney, Oran O’Caolain, James Campbell, Gearoid Coyle.

Club record Gala will take place on 25th January.

Pre-ordered Sliabh Beagh logo swimsuits have arrived.  Please contact Dana or Linda regarding your order.

Please check the website (under training) and noticeboard for swimming session times for all squads over the Christmas period.