JUNIOR OPEN MEET

Another successful Open Meet. I am pleased to say that it retains its popularity with the clubs who take part. Entries were slightly up this year despite two bigger clubs not taking part. Perhaps it is just as well that they didn't as we would have been stretched to include them. We have never turned any swimmer down yet and I hope this continues to be the case. The important thing is the profit made that helps to keep your training fees as low as possible; preliminary figures suggest that the profit should be just over £5000. After some chivvying up, entries from our swimmmers were about the same as last year, 38 swimmers entered 111 events and most of them swam on the day. As it was the first Open Meet for several of them, I hope they enjoyed the experience. Four swimmers received medals by qualifying for a final so congratulations to Lewis Halford, Kjetil Rehm, Stephanie Cummins and Sophie Wilkins. Sophie also received the award for top 12-year-old girl.

ARENA LEAGUE

The first round of the League took place on the 8th October and we hosted the gala at Horfield. Against some strong opposition, we came a creditable 5th. Well done to all the swimmers. In the next round we are at Millfield in the afternoon. This will be difficult for the older swimmers who have a Saturday job so I hope all the younger ones will be available. Again, there is some strong opposition but we hope for a similar placing as in the first round. As Severnside Tritons B team are in the same gala, we hope to save some money by sharing a coach with them. The team sheet is on the board so please tick off.

MINI SERIES

The Mini Series for 2011 came to a conclusion at Kingswood last Saturday. We struggled to raise a team so it was hard work for those who did swim. I hope the swimmers new to galas enjoyed the experience and will continue next year. The final positions saw us finishing in 5th place.

BEACON PROGRAMME

Wheels grind very slowly with this project. There was a recent meeting where the levy on the clubs was estimated at £4/month per member. This would be about £800/month for Bristol North. This would mean a significant increase in training fees for everyone so we need to be sure that our swimmers will benefit before we agree to this level of expenditure. This was stated to be a worst case scenario so when the detailed financial calculations are made known we will be studying them very carefully.

THE FUTURE

There will be a list of jobs put on the notice board asking for volunteers to take them on. As with many organisations, too many jobs are being done by too few people. The amount of work involved in running the Club can put people off from offering to help but remember, many hands make light work. We old fogies would like to stay around to help steer the ship but would like to give up manning the sails as well.

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Club Championships have got under way with the 1500m events. Seventeen swimmers took part so Well done to them. The middle distance events start on Thursday, 10 November with the sprint events on Saturdays, 19 and 26 November. Entry forms are now available for all these events. Both the sprint Saturdays will now be held at Horfield due to problems with the refurbished Kingswood pool. As it seemed to be popular last year, we shall use the electronic timing at Horfield (we will have to pay for it this year). Pick up an entry form and have a go. It is important for the younger swimmers to show the coaches what they can do in a race situation. It is difficult to select gala teams if the coaches do not have times for the swimmers. Everyone also gets a certificate for each event they swim and these will be presented at the Club Disco on Friday, 16 December.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Since she will not be taking part in the Club Championships, Amy Wilkins has offered to take photographs on the poolside. This has been quite popular with the swimmers she has photographed in the past. If all goes well, they will be available for viewing afterwards and swimmers can get copies. If anyone prefers not to have photographs taken of them, please let us know and Amy can then miss out those swimmers or delete their photos.

SWIM SHOP

The new arrangements are coming together now. Caroline Wilkins is now registered as the Club contact with SwimRite and Swim Shop and catalogues should be available soon at every session. Caroline will keep a small stock of hats and goggles; costumes can be ordered directly and the Club will receive a discount. A new stock of hats is on order and it has been suggested that knapsacks be offered as an alternative to the large bags. Caroline has a sample and the Club logo can be added to the front. Clothing, T-shirts and hoodies, can be ordered as required. Helen Smith has the stock passed on and is selling it on Mondays at the Dolphin. More details will be given when final arrangements have been made.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS